Monday, October 26, 2009

Taking a Rest

It has been a slow few weeks for the blog, creative writing and non-creative writing.

Too busy with real work!

Stay tuned as the Clermont Blog is simply having a rest.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Citizen M says: travel smart

Citizen M says: travel smart

The more I travel – the less I take with me on trips. Traveling lightweight makes eminent sense. You don’t nearly need as much as you think and what you don’t have you could always buy.

I actually come home from trips with the odd unused shirt or an untouched sweater. At the bottom of my toilet kit is a small tube of toothpaste – unopened – that has been there since the turn of (this) century. Honestly, why don’t I use it? Because I have another, bigger tube that always catches my eye first.

Hotels are the same way. Who needs two double beds, a massive TV set, closet space, walk-in bathroom ---- when you are traveling alone?

Thus, it was with some delight that I revisited the small Citizen M hotel at Amsterdam’s airport last week. I first stopped there in February and booked in a second time to enjoy the cozy atmosphere. The lobby is like a living room, cool colors, an adequate bar with a selection of healthy foods, a quiet reading area and a table full of free computers and printers. The rooms are small but the beds are wonderful. Everything is high tech including the 20 second check-in process.

M? The corporate logo refers to Citizen “Mobile” and small messages throughout remind travelers to go light.