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Phoenix arrival
Jun. 30th, 2004 09:18 pmWe're in Phoenix at Remake the Heatwave 2004, the annual Convention of the Int'l Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs. So we came a day early, figuring a few people would be around, but it's very quiet. Caller School is finishing up, and they're having a dance tomorrow at 3; the next event is the Trail-In Dance at 6. Registration starts at 10 AM.
So far we've only run into a few Foggy City people -- the Queen Bros., Sheldon, etc. -- plus some Toronto acquaintances. And saw Ken at a distance but so far not Andy.
The heat is oppressive (106 today), but fine if you hang out by the pool. The gym is terrific for a hotel, and the sauna/steam/whirlpool room for men only is nice (so nice they close it at 8:00 PM, sadly for a few of you.) The hotel is beautiful, partly architected by Frank Lloyd Wright in a sort of modern/Wrightish combo. The usual clientele of the resort in season is way richer than we are, and it shows in restaurant prices (basic dinner is the "casual" restaurant was $80 for two.) A long massage will set you back $180, more if you'd like rocks or hot oil put on you. There is no commercial activity less than a mile from here, so there is no escape for buying soda and goodies -- and the soda machines have been removed. The "bottle of water in the room" trick is $6 here. I really do think Convention planners will have to award Conventions based on keeping costs more affordable than this, because the uncommitted new dancer is going to suffer sticker shock if we choose high-end resorts. And to be frank overly-swank accommodations put a damper on the proceedings; my favorite convention to date was in Portland at a middle-end hotel complex which let us eat together easily (and cheaply) every day and wasn't so posh as to restrain our behavior much.
The nice extras are free broadband via ethernet in the rooms and free local calling.
All complaining aside, the ballrooms are beautiful and the staff uniformly competent and pleasant. So we look forward to seeing more square dancers starting tomorrow. No doubt some of the food problems can be routed around if you know what bar serves what burgers... and people with rental cars will be very popular.
So far we've only run into a few Foggy City people -- the Queen Bros., Sheldon, etc. -- plus some Toronto acquaintances. And saw Ken at a distance but so far not Andy.
The heat is oppressive (106 today), but fine if you hang out by the pool. The gym is terrific for a hotel, and the sauna/steam/whirlpool room for men only is nice (so nice they close it at 8:00 PM, sadly for a few of you.) The hotel is beautiful, partly architected by Frank Lloyd Wright in a sort of modern/Wrightish combo. The usual clientele of the resort in season is way richer than we are, and it shows in restaurant prices (basic dinner is the "casual" restaurant was $80 for two.) A long massage will set you back $180, more if you'd like rocks or hot oil put on you. There is no commercial activity less than a mile from here, so there is no escape for buying soda and goodies -- and the soda machines have been removed. The "bottle of water in the room" trick is $6 here. I really do think Convention planners will have to award Conventions based on keeping costs more affordable than this, because the uncommitted new dancer is going to suffer sticker shock if we choose high-end resorts. And to be frank overly-swank accommodations put a damper on the proceedings; my favorite convention to date was in Portland at a middle-end hotel complex which let us eat together easily (and cheaply) every day and wasn't so posh as to restrain our behavior much.
The nice extras are free broadband via ethernet in the rooms and free local calling.
All complaining aside, the ballrooms are beautiful and the staff uniformly competent and pleasant. So we look forward to seeing more square dancers starting tomorrow. No doubt some of the food problems can be routed around if you know what bar serves what burgers... and people with rental cars will be very popular.
