As it turns out, I have 2-1/2 hours at the Lisbon Airport, and free WiFi, so...I figured I'd jump in here for a moment while I have the (lots of) time.
I'll get to the travel experience later -- and there's more to tell -- but I'd make note of checking out from the Marriott, which has many pleasant, good things about it...and far more problems than one wishes for in a hotel, especially a good one. I've mentioned the horrible WiFi problem -- not the sort of the a hotel would want under any condition, but especially when you've book a convention of about 400 tech journalists from around the world. And that problem is exacerbated when they try to give a Hotel Explanation (tm) about the technological problem -- that the ISP company is based in the United States, so that's where the problem is. That brings up 400 shouts from tech journalists that NO, that is not how it works. The administrative company might be based in the U.S., but the actual service provider is local, in Lisbon. (You also know you have a problem when the convention has a panel with tech experts answering questions of the 400 in attendance at the Marriott conference room, and one of the high-tech questions to these experts submitted ahead of time was, "Why is the WiFi at the Marriott so terrible?" -- which brought forth a roomful of applause. And even the expert panelist (who were staying at the hotel) laughed and acknowledged how bad the problem was. The odd situation at check-out (which wasn't precisely "a problem," though could have been, as you'll see) was that I decided to check out before having breakfast, so that I could eat relaxed, knowing that I was ready to go. The desk clerk said that I could take my luggage around the corner and drop it off in a room there, while eating. Swell, fine, good to know. I headed there and -- it was just an empty room. No guards, no locks, no security, just...an open room! I went back to the clerk and explained the problem, that it was just a room. "Yes, you can just leave you luggage there." "But there's no guard." "Yes, it's just for hotel guests." "That doesn't help. Anyone can walk in and just take the bags sitting there, unprotected." "It should be fine." "I'm not leaving my luggage and computer and equipment and valuables sitting in an open empty room." "Well, you can leave it with the concierge." "Well, yes, that's what I'm going to do." (Thinking -- and okay, so why didn't you suggest this IN THE FIRST PLACE??) More on it all later. That's it for now. I do have a bit o' time (probably 90 minutes before boarding), but there are some other things to get to. I change plans in Philadelphia, so maybe I'll be able to write there, though I may be rushed. I have to go through customs and also change terminals, so I don't expect to have a whole lot of time. Though I hope so, on general principle. I booked flights giving me 2-1/2 hours, so it should be fine, but...we'll see.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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