I want to make sure I am presenting a fair picture of what this adventure has been like. I am not one for the social media philosophy of presenting only the good stuff, the "my life is so great" mentality. One of the logistical downsides of this way of adventuring (in addition to the obvious pains of packing and unpacking) is getting used to the ever-changing sleeping conditions. As someone that already struggles to get deep sleep, the variability of each place adds a lot of challenge. Sure you can put the thermostat to the same temperature in each room, but it doesn't mean the temperature will be the same in each room. Reasons for this could be the temperature outside, the ability of the A/C to produce and maintain a temperature, the thermostat being dysfunctional and possibly even my own body temperature. Most times I feel it's not cool enough as I am falling asleep and then in the middle of the night, I have to put on a sweatshirt, sweatpants and socks. Sometimes I have to leave the A/C on at a cold temperature all day, otherwise it will not be cool enough to fall asleep later. Other times, this overuses the A/C and then it freezes the unit (or so said a sign on one of the units).
Then there is the experience that sound plays into each accommodation. Ideally, the A/C is on all the time as the unit turning on and off can be quite jarring on some of the units. I prefer the "constant fan" mode so at least something is consistent but sometimes that button doesn't work and it just has a mind of it's own (much like the temperature it thinks it's putting out). The outside sounds come and go, whether it be doors in the corridor opening and closing or cars outside. I started putting on ocean wave sounds to drown out any and all noises. It's quite therapeutic.
Each room has it's own relationship with light. At some places, the streetlights or outside light noise find ways to seep into the room. Sometimes from cracks in places that there probably shouldn't be, like under the door or around the A/C unit. Being a light sleep means I often wake up because of the sun shining in despite the blackout curtains being fully closed. Some AirBnBs haven't even had curtains in their bedrooms!
Although, the other senses are challenging and sometimes detrimental to my sleep, the worst part for me of the hotel experiences are the smells. Mostly, they come from the A/C unit, but sometimes from a smoker outside or perhaps the age of the hotel/motel. Just randomly the A/C will start smelling musty and I have no idea what I can do about it. For some rooms it will come and go, and some it's just the smell of the room. Sometimes you walk into the room for the first time smelling the musty, and sometimes it surprises you in the middle of the night.
Luckily, the sense of taste hasn't come into play yet (ew, wouldn't that be something). Although, very early on Alex and I decided we wouldn't drink the local water as each place may have their own regulations on water quality. We realized it with Piper and then applied it to us. We were unsure of how the constant change in water minerals could be unsettling for our bodies.
Regardless, each accommodation provides its own sensory experience. You just start getting used to them, then it's time to pack up and start over. It definitely adds a layer of challenge I am always surprised by. Though some of my experience most definitely is related to the caliber of hotels I am staying in, I think this is par for the course of stepping outside of the predictable norms of home. As annoying as it is, I would still choose these travels. To adventure is to take the good with the bad. Honestly, I'm just thankful there is A/C.
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