Tuesday, April 1, 2014

#1801 - On AirBnB


Hello!  And, welcome to my little corner of cyberspace.
I am happy to be doing the From A to Z Challenge again this year.
Last year, it gave me a chance to read a LOT of interesting new blogs,
and also brought a lot of new readers to my site as well...
thank you to those that have stuck with me through the last year..
Hope I can continue to keep it entertaining and interesting for you all!!

My number in the title is where I am on the list of participants. 
(2231 signed up as of today!)
During the month, it gets smaller as people fall out.
You have to post daily...!

As such, my first entry will be on AirBnB.

For new readers, let me give you a little background.
I live in Northern California.  About 90 miles from the Oregon border.
I work as an ED doc in a rural hospital.

Last year, I started picking up shifts in the "big city"...  Sacramento.
During the time I worked as an ambassador for my physician's group
room and board was paid for.
Then I was asked to stay on to help fill in spots from time to time,
so for the last 5 months, I have been traveling down on my own dime
and having to pay for hotels, etc.

As you can imagine, I would need to work more to justify the expense of traveling
the 5 1/2 hours to work.  Then I heard about AirBnB on another blog site.

Basically, it's people renting out their homes, or a room in their
home to people traveling.  The site coordinates the logistics, 
collects a small fee and pays the owner.

It's part of a new trend of "share" sites that are popping up.
People can "borrow" cars, bicycles, homes.
They can go over to someone's house and have a meal cooked
for them while out of town.  Wow, huh?

Anyway, I tried it out, and here's a few things I've learned:

1.)  You get what you pay for.  


Some places are inexpensive but offer you a small bed, or even a couch!  
And you sometimes have to share a bathroom with other guests.  
Read the fine print and decide how comfortable you are with these arrangements.  
For the most part, when I get home from a shift at the hospital, 
I just want a quiet place to lay down and decompress... but I am fussy about
bathroom sharing arrangements.  Which brings me to...

2.) Make it more like home.  


I have a container with all my toiletries that I carry with me.  Once I get to the room,
I set up my supplies for the number of days I am going to be there.  I prefer my
own shower "puff" and body washes to those sometimes provided. 
And, sometimes you might want your own pillow as opposed to the one
provided which isn't as flat/fluffy/formed/not smelly as your own.

3.) Have snacks.


Along with toiletries, you notice that I also have snacks in my travel box.
Even though you often have use of the home's kitchen and dining room,
there are times when I don't want to go out of my room and interrupt
the host's goings-on.  Like if they're having dinner.  Or if they have
family over, etc.  I make sure everything is sealed (I even have a supply
of plastic containers on hand), and I throw my trash away immediately.

Also, I've been told that I can "put my things anywhere" in terms of the
cupboards or refrigerator.  But, often there just isn't enough space.
So, it's just easier to have dry goods I can keep in the room and snack on
or take to work.

4.) Be prepared for anything.
Parking arrangement changes, "extra guests" that were unexpected, chatty hosts, etc.
Sometimes, though, the unexpected can be a pleasure...

A new friend...

2013 A to Z post:




7 comments:

betty said...

I don't know why I thought you were going to another venue for blogging, Veronica; so I was surprised when I saw your name on the A/Z sign up (wow they went over 2000 participants!)

How interesting with your work down to Sacramento. Good you found a service to help you find places to stay "like home" that fit the bill for what you need when you are working down there!

betty

Heather M. Gardner said...

That sounds exciting!
Dangerous...but exciting.

Heather M. Gardner
The Waiting is the Hardest Part
Stormy's Sidekick
Blogging from A to Z April Challenge Co-Host

Lori said...

I had never heard of that type of service, but it sounds like it could be very interesting, and I'm sure very convenient for some people.

Jeanie said...

I knew of your long journey but was not aware that it was on a now and then basis. I would be naturally wary of that type of accommodation, but can see the reasoning if your salary doesn't cover your expenses.
Good idea about taking your own pillow etc. I will say no more on that subject. lol

Linda :) said...

An interesting idea... good way of saving money and possibly cleaner then some hotels but I would bring my own bathroom supplies, snacks and pillows too... :)

Aditi said...

This sounds interesting! I'll have a look at that site! Thanks! Aditi, A2Z participant

Donna Amis Davis said...

Wow, I'm so glad you shared this. I'm kinda behind the curve on Airbnb, so I was really interested to learn how it works. Great tips, too!
Donna On Palawan @ Quintessential San Diego From A to Z

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