Day 1, E-ville to Detroit, May 7 2012

Day 1: E-ville to Detroit

Quote of the day:
It's like a heatwave burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart

Weather: Cool, little breeze, and humid (so, not that cool feeling)

Pics: Art in SFO (including a Richard Shaw ceramic piece), Book Cadillac Hotel, Atlas Global Bistro

Flight on Delta non-descript (except for the following description): It is not as comfortable as being in United’s Premium Economy. We’re on Delta because it is the only non-stop that gets us in town in time for the group dinner, and 7 or 8 of our group of 16 are on the same flight.

Check-in to a hotel that has gone through many an ownership change, it is now managed by Westin and part of the Starwood group, of which DB is a member in glorious standing, so we get a very nice room on the 20th floor, for the even more glorious rate of $139/night. Of course, this is folded into the Oakland Museum tour cost, and even much more glorious DB is going for free as compensation for putting together the trip with her co-leader Evans.

And, the co-leaders are earning their compensation: changes to the bus for tomorrow, breakfast voucher shortages, transportation to dinner, etc. THB is getting an up close and personal look at what the leaders do to keep everything running smoothly on tour, all these times he assumed it was just a few hours of putting an agenda together, couple of calls, and then coasting along enjoying the art and food.

Getting to dinner: hotel doorman tries to arrange a van, it takes a long time in coming, and then is a few seats short of a full tour. THB is in the cab that follows the van as we overshoot the restaurant by a few miles. THB gives the cab driver, who has a great sense of humor, a generous tip.

Dinner at the Atlas Global Bistro: Frisee aux Lardons salad (bacon and poached egg on greens), Airplane chicken (wing in?) and a dense chocolate pot de crème for THB; apples, beets and assorted greens salad, sweet potato and aubergine stew, and lemon tart for DB. Beer, cocktail, and wine, included.