First World Problems

I didn't have to wait long this morning to know what today's journal entry would be!

We are staying at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for four nights so we can meet with our contractor, the electrician, and the carpenters who are completing work being done on our new apartment.  At just before 6:30 a.m. we were roused out of a sound sleep by very loud banging and sawing noises emanating from somewhere very close to our hotel room.  We tried to ignore it, but it just kept on going, getting louder by the minute.  Eventually we gave up on sleeping, and phoned the front desk to inquire as to the source of the din, and to find out when it might cease.  We received rather diffident news that we could expect the racket to last through the rest of the week!  We then asked if we could be moved to a quieter room, and were informed that they would "do the best they could."  Twenty minutes later, the phone rang again, and I spoke to a woman who intimated in a rather "as if I care" tone that there were no other rooms to be had until tomorrow.  At this point, I found myself becoming rather annoyed, and let her know that I did not think it was good practice to wake hotel guests at 6:30 in the morning, especially as in the residences tower across the street, no construction work is allowed before 9:00!  I also told her that it would have been nice to have been apprised of this activity when we checked in to the hotel.  She then wanly apologized, and offered us breakfast "to make up for the inconvenience."  Humph!  Breakfast is already included in our room rate!!!  I told her that I did not think breakfast was going to make us any happier, and curtly hung up the phone, fuming.  Ten minutes later, the phone rang again, and a different person informed us that a room had magically been found, and that the bellman was on his way to help us relocate.  Frantic dressing, tooth brushing, and packing ensued. 

Well, goodness me.  Who knew that sounding peeved and aggrieved could produce such astonishing results!  We are now ensconced in the most enormous suite!  After entering through very swish double doors, you find yourself in a huge foyer, dripping with chandeliers (yes ... plural), fancy artwork, and sculptures.  At the far end of the foyer is a room set up as an office, with desk, sofa, and a TV the size of a small car.  To the right at the end of the foyer is a living room easily big enough to accommodate a dozen or so of one's best friends.  Drop dead views of Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, Boylston Street, the famous CITGO sign, Beacon Hill, the State House, the Charles River, and Cambridge can be gaped at through gigantic windows, and in case you want to see something in more detail, there's an impressive chrome telescope set up for your convenience.  In addition to the requisite sofas, chairs, and another gargantuan TV, there is also a dining table which can seat six.  More double doors lead from the living room into the bedroom and a bathroom covered in acres of marble.  Somehow we will manage to cope with staying here for the next two nights!!!