ruthless compassion

As is usual for business travel, being here isn't, for the most part, like being here so much as like being in a hotel somewhere. The hotel is under construction, and there are a number of niggly problems with it, most particularly the fact that for the first couple of days, my keycards mostly didn't work, which led to a lot of time going back and forth from the front desk, much to my frustration, since meeting days are usually tightly scheduled and losting half of my free time in a given span makes me cranky.

On the bright side, I discovered last night that the hotel has a sauna! Now, if all of the meetings were outside in the beautiful 85 degree weather, this would be less exciting, but since we're in a 60 degree ballroom, the thought of a sauna this afternoon is utterly delightful.

I'm looking forward to the meeting being done (though that's premature, since we've got sessions all day today and all morning tomorrow) so I can actually be here. Then, I'll have a froofy drink on the beach and quit my bitching.

Why is so much "new age" music crappy? Isn't it possible to have drifty, floaty music that's also interesting and pleasing to listen to?

The work day ended after lunch for me today, delightfully, so desiringsubject and I took advantage of the hotel's sauna (mmmmmmmmm, sauna!) and then headed over to Old San Juan for dinner. I was able to relocate the dress shop, though I didn't buy anyone's dresses, yet. I did write down your orders, though, and promised the shopkeeper that I'd be back.

We had a very tasty dinner (I need to learn to make mofongo) and ice cream and also stumbled upon a candlemas ritual, which involved fire. I took a picture with my phone, but I seem not to be able to send pictures from here, so you'll all have to wait for my candlemas post when I'm back on the mainland, by which time it will really not be candlemas, but there will still be a picture of fire. Also, possibly other pictures, too, if the island happens to be beautiful as I'm wandering around.

Have I mentioned I love saunas? Also, heat in general. I've been having trouble with the cold in Boston this winter, just not adjusting at all, so I've been bundling up more than usual and still feeling generally chilled, and while this trip won't help with the adjustment, it is making me happy, at least when I'm not in the meeting rooms.

And tomorrow, the meetings finish and the vacationy part of the trip starts! Rock!!