Ho-tel, Mo-tel, Holiday Inn

Aw yeah, I've finally arrived: a mere 1,360 miles and three days later, I have officially arrived at my temporary duty station, lovely (and humid) San Antonio, TX. From what little I can tell, this looks like a great place to explore, and the people have been great. But doing the tourist thing is going to have to wait, because today was "Straighten out your accomodations day." So, one of the many little known facts about boot camp: your accomodations may just be at the Holiday Inn. Really, if more people knew this, the whole concept might not be as intimidating. "Combat boots? Running? Doing push-ups? As much screaming as I can handle? Well, as long as I can stay at the Holiday Inn, not a problem: sign me up!" So, today's adventure ensued when I somehow failed to secure the proper address for the hotel in which I knew I'd be staying for a few weeks, just until more rooms open up on post. Just stayin' at the Holiday Inn, no big deal. Just boot camp, nothing special. However, instead of finding the right place, I inadvertently checked myself into potentially the scariest Holiday Inn that I've had the pleasure of visiting. Not the Bates Motel, to be sure, but as I checked into my room, strategically located between I-35 and about eight sets of railroad tracks, I started to pray very, very hard, and tried to envision myself making the best of my little room. Resigned to my tiny bathroom, complete with a freshly kicked-in door, I decided to wander over to the base to let them know I'd arrived. What else did I have to do? And that's when a miracle occurred. Presenting my orders to the lovely lodging lady, she said, "Oh, you're staying at the Holiday Inn Select,"to my great relief, because I can assure you, there was nothing select about Holiday Inn #1...other than selecting which deadbolt to lock. After the advance housing scare that I gave myself, and having checked into the correct hotel, life is, indeed, pretty good this evening.