I got into a bit of a debate with a friend the other day about this blog – and the reason for it. He said, “Small rooms, noisy surroundings. Sorry. I'll pay the extra to upgrade my stay.” But the truth is, you can pay a lot for a hotel in New York City (or Paris, or London, or Warsaw, or Nice, or Rome or elsewhere) and still get a small, noisy room – and have a much lighter wallet.
Then it dawned on me. My friend, who vowed never to stay in the “shitholes” that I write about, drives a Jeep Wrangler. Small, noisy, cold in winter, no convenience features and not particularly comfortable. Why did he choose that vehicle to get him from point A to point B over, say, a Ford Explorer? For just 20% more he could have had a bigger, quieter, better handling car, that is more comfortable for longer rides, has nicer features, and sports and a longer wheelbase that would handle significantly better. Why didn’t he pay extra to upgrade his ride? Certainly he could afford something bigger and “nicer”.
In an article by Jim Walczak: “The Jeep Wrangler is definitely not for everyone. It largely depends on your personality (and your sense of adventure)... a Wrangler is definitely a "no frills" vehicle. It comes with very few "extras", and some of the most basic things (carpet, steel doors, rear seat) are considered options.” You can easily replace “Jeep Wrangler” with the name of any given budget hotel.
Just like my friend probably cannot rationally justify the allure of the Jeep (he’d probably say something like “they’re cool” or “I’ve always wanted one” or "they're different") when he could be driving something much more luxurious and comfortable. Similarly, I cannot justify why I’m fascinated with budget hotels, when I could easily afford (and enjoy) something more expensive. Maybe it’s the sense of freedom or adventure that both his Jeep and these hotel rooms embody – its what they stand for (off-roading in the outback or exploring the streets and nuances of a great city) and the experiences and satisfaction beyond just “transportation” or “a night’s sleep” those things bring us.
Maybe we shouldn’t try to define it at all, and chock it up to je nais se quois – that certain something that we can’t quite express.
1) I'm your "friend" and I don't have a problem being identified.
ReplyDeleteCraig Deep at deepster21@yahoo.com.
2) I don't think Wranglers are "cool". I feel there's a therapeutic sense to them when driving them on that special nice day with the top and doors off....much like what you probably feel driving in Western Mass on a vintage motorcycle. That IS why you gave up your city life, right?
3) The Wrangler is my primary vehicle because of a divorce and a financial restructuring of my life. I will have a 4 door, more sensible car by this time next year. The Jeep then becomes a fun toy. Again, much like the 5 or 6 motorcycles in your garage.
4) My daily commute is 6.5 miles each way. I have garage parking at home and at work. The discomfort or lack of "frills" that Jim Whateverhisnameis mentions aren't in play.
5) The blog you're writing is a sham.
You buy art as an investment. You collect vintage motorcycles. You charter boats to cruise the Greek Islands on your summer vacation. You probably still have a thousand American dollars worth of uncashed Euros just lying around from your time spent in London two years ago.
But thanks for the advice on saving 50 bucks on a room.
A visit to this place is impossible without a cup of perfectly brewed coffee. Whether you're looking to perk up early in the morning, get a caffeine boost at midday or have a leisurely coffee with friends, the baristas are dedicated to creating the best coffee experience possible. From a flavorful espresso to a silky latte to a robust Americano, each cup is a testament to the art of coffee making.
ReplyDelete