This year, conference is going to be a little more interesting, and exhausting, than usual. But due to significant budget restrictions this year (both mine and ITI’s) I’m not staying at the conference hotel. Instead I’m staying 1.2 miles up the road at the Washington International Student Center. It’s a hostel. I’ve got a room to myself but since it holds two people it’s $80/night instead of the $40. The other option was a bunk bed with five other people in the room. (That’s not going to happen.) My room has a bed, nightstand, desk, and chair. Oh,can’t forget the two power outlets and the space heater. (The latter I shouldn’t need due to the wonderful weather. I will also add that the WiFi is spectacular. Shared bathroom but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Hell, I’ve stayed in worse hotels for twice as much. The walk is already getting a bit old but I suppose that getting up at 4am isn’t helping.
On the brighter side I did just have a wonderful dinner at RFD with Jill and her husband Tom. It was nice to be able to catch up with them. I also made a quick stop back at the conference hotel on the way back to my room and was able to say hi to a few old friends. Right now I’m killing some time in the Starbucks across the street from my room as I guess the hostel is above a club and it’s Saturday night. I’ve been warned about the noise. Luckily, my workshop isn’t until 1pm tomorrow.
Nice to know for the future that that is an option. I shared a room once at IL with three others. It was a cheap hotel with breakfast and came to less than $20/night. You can definitely do conferences on the cheap if willing to room with others and do a lot of walking!