What a weekend! Basic premise: my mom was invited to the Williamsburg Lodge (and I was her "and Guest") because we are looking for new facilities for retreats/conferences. Williamsburg would LOVE for us to bring them the business, so as the event planners at work, they wanted us to come down and see all that Williamsburg can offer to us...wining and dining us all the while.
I quickly learned that I didn't appreciate being the "and Guest." The sales people didn't harass me like they did the real guests, but they also didn't give me the time of day. Literally, some of the sales reps didn't look at me while in conversation...apparently thinking I was there for the free food (which wasn't entirely wrong)...but it still got old. And I actually work in hospitality and have some (however low) level of influence about the destinations we use. Stupid people.
Though I complain, the weekend was great and tons of fun.
Here are some highlights:
1. Nancy - Nancy was the first friend we met at the conference. Nancy is an older woman - boisterous and a little nuts. We met Nancy while getting our complimentary spa treatments. She chatted with us and asked all about us, and when we asked about what she was doing in Williamsburg (before realizing that she was attending the same conference we were), she forgot why she was there. She was one of these super funny old ladies who talks to everyone, dances, and is the life of the party wherever she goes. From our manicures on, Nancy became a somewhat of a BFF and we chatted at each meal and event. Everybody knew Nancy!
2. Surprises - A Fife and Drum Corp walked us to Friday's dinner, Thomas Jefferson welcomed us at Saturday's breakfast, and Christmas Carolers sang to us after Saturday's dinner!
3. Presents - Waiting in the room for us both evenings...Williamsburg stuff, Champaign, and chocolate covered strawberries decorated as Revolutionary soldiers. Who doesn't like presents?
4. From Bar to Tavern to Pub - Apparently the main difference between the "religious" conference we attended in October and this one: the abundance of alcohol. On Friday for dinner, we met at a reception to walk to dinner together. You guessed it - the booze was flowing at the open bar reception. Then we went to dinner. Yup, open menu and bar. Then we went to another tavern/pub, for drinks. With the bun in the oven, I basically laughed at the drunk people who seemed to take advantage of the all-expenses-paid mini-vacation.
At Saturday's dinner, we started at the cocktail reception, moved to dinner - with wine selected for each course, and back to the dessert and cordial reception. The "spirit" was light.
5. Magician - After Friday's dinner, we were enticed into going to another tavern because we were told there was an awesome magician who would be in attendance. Keep in mind, we're in Colonial Williamsburg where all the staff is in costume/character and everything is authentically colonial. We couldn't miss the colonial magician. As far as magicians go, he wasn't great. But he did make some colonial jokes and to a trick with a potato. I was hoping he would levitate or turn Nancy into a pumpkin or something - but she thought he was the best magician she'd ever seen.
6. 2 Hour Walking Tour - Saturday. Yeah, there were a lot of places to see. All very beautiful. All very expensive.
7. Eating - So much that I felt like I should be rolled home. People did gaze with judging glances as I kept going well after they stopped (apparently displaying a moderate amount of self-control that I guess I lack). My idea of a good time.
Again, weird. But a good weekend.
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