Next Destination, Monterey

June 10, 2019

We were off to our next destination, Monterey. Our plan was to leave Las Vegas at the earliest possible time, 8 am. Since I was kupad, we left at 9:30 am.
E—-“Late na tayo ng 1 hour and 30 minutes”.
A—-“I-we-waze ko”.
E—-“Huwag na, alam ko na”.
A—-“kabisado mo na daan natin? I-we-waze ko up to Barstow”.
My husband likes to rely on his very good sense of direction. He doesn’t want to use waze because he believes in himself. Then when I am trying to take a nap, he would say “Oh shit!” Nagugulat naman ako. E—“Tart sa’n na nga ba tayo kakaliwa?”
Tapos dali-dali akong i-o-on yung waze.
E—-“Saan daw ang exit?”
A—-“Teka, hindi pa lumalabas”.
Nakaka-stress kaya even if he says he knows the way, mabuti pa i-waze ko na.

A—-“What’s the name of our hotel? I-we-waze ko”.
E—-“Ahhh, Best Western…”

I Googled Best Western, ang daming lumabas.
A—-“Anong address, ang daming Best Western. Tingnan mo yung booking mo”.
He opened his phone and handed it over to me.

Best Western Plus… 825 Abrego St., Monterey.
Check-in JUNE 11, 2019 TUES.
Check-out JUNE 14, 2019 FRI

A—-“Tart, your booking is on June 11, Tuesday. Bukas pa.
E—-“Hindi, huwag yan ang tingnan mo. Advance yan”.
A—–“Ano’ng araw ba ngayon? Lunes? June 10. Bukas pa ang booking mo”.
E—–“Don’t confuse yourself by looking at my phone, Manila time yan”.
A—–“Anywhere in the world, we follow the same calendar”.
E—–“Bahala na, maghanap na lang tayo ng hotel dun”.
In denial pa, too proud to admit he made a mistake.

I didn’t want to do that. All the hotels and motels, airbnb, inns in Monterey and Carmel are fully booked because of the US Open Golf Tournament in Pebble Beach. I didn’t want to hop from one motel to another to ask if they have a room for the night. By the time we reach Monterey it would late in the evening. Para kaming homeless na maghahanap ng masisilungan.

A—-“Why don’t you call the hotel to verify when your booking is?”
I was the one who called the hotel.
Receptionist—“Yes, your room is reserved for June 11 check-in and June 14 check-out”.
I asked if they have an available room for tonight and lucky for us they do and at a regular price of $180++ ($200).
A—-“How come it’s cheaper than our rates for tomorrow?”
Receptionist—-“Tomorrow the US Open rate applies”.

The hotels jacked-up their prices to take advantage of this once in 10 years golf tournament. Imagine $400+ a night?

We stopped at a gas station while we were debating about the correct hotel booking. We resumed the drive at 10:09 am.

We made two stops for gas and to stretch.

We reached Monterey at 7:30 pm. The sky was still a little bright.

Nice hotel. Newly renovated.

Spacious room.
A—-“Tart, walang aircon? Hindi mo chineck when you booked it. Walang aircon”.
E—-“may aircon, imposible namang wala”.
A—-“There’s no aircon. Not all hotels have aircon, you cannot assume, that’s why we have to verify before booking”.
I could hear the noise from the outside. I went down to the reception to request for a room at the back of the hotel. Yes they changed our toom to 226. Better, quieter.

After checking in we went out to look for food. WE saw a thai restaurant near the hotel.

Pwede na sa gutom.