Conventions and the annoyances they create

Several years past, I along with some other travelers where in Milan. We had arrived late in the afternoon, after a long adventurous train ride- a massive soccer match was happening in a town along the Milan bound train and we were given the gift of rowdy masses, it was an experience. Anyway, when we arrived, we planned to do what we¨d done throughout the rest of Europe, and that was either follow the advice of a hotel solicitor, or head to the nearest Hotel reservation agent. To our deep dismay, neither of these options were available- Apparently, Milan banned the hotel solicitor as being unsightly and exceptionally bothersom. With this lack of convenience, we were forced to search for a hotel. And, with my trusty Italian travel book in hand, I did just that. ¨Bon Jorno, do you have any rooms available... No(?), OK, Gratzie.¨ This same routine went on for another 5 phone calls, and as the day was turning dark, we decided to rely on those gifts from above, our feet, and begin a long and arduous treck of searching for an available place. Four hours later, we were finally successful-partially, but that¨s a story for another day- in securing a place. Why were all of the hotels booked, well, a Convention was happening!

So, you ask why I¨ve decided to revive such an event, well it¨s because a Convention is currently taking place within the city, and....and...and there aren¨t any rooms to be found. Fortunately, I met Chris. He and I have been able to stave the unfortunate reliving of the past and do have a room. Though, a lesson I¨ve learned is that Conventions are not the sort of thing a backpacker-well, at least me- should have to contend with.

Off to look into bus schedules...