Like a Mythical Bird From the Ashes
“It’s going to be some kind of weird thing, I just know it,” Jim said.
“Like what?” I answered.
“Oh, we’re going to show up and they’re going to be swingers and they’re going to invite us to sit in the hot tub and when we get there, they’ll be naked.”
“Well, it has got good reviews,” I said.
That Jim. Always suspecting nefarious activities are going on all around us. I’d like to see the movie playing in his head some time. No, I wouldn’t.
Our plans in Phoenix involved a new type of adventure: staying at an airbnb. Airbnb is a website where people list private accommodations for rent – couches, trailers, rooms, whole apartments or homes – to the public, many at significantly below-market rates.
Ever the cheapskate, I jumped right in.
Jim was suspicious, but the process was pretty smooth. I researched places in Phoenix – and this was on Monday, and we were traveling on Friday.
I found three places, signed up on airbnb – you need a real phone number to sign up – and requested information. One place was already booked and another did not respond. But the third, a granny unit centrally located, responded right away with a rate of $90 per night.
Jim and I don’t sleep together, so we needed 2 beds, and most hotels were going for at least $150 per night (and I assumed we would need 2 rooms), so I thought this was a great deal.
The reviews were good, and there were lots of them, so I booked. The place was exactly as described, a cute granny unit in a quiet neighborhood, full kitchen, dining nook, living room with a TV we never quite figured out, bedroom, bathroom. No swingers in site, just a nice guy who showed us around, told us to make sure to lock up when we left, and pointed out that they had put food in the fridge for our breakfast. Success.
I had more success than Jim. He insisted, in gentlemanly fashion, that he would sleep on the air mattress and I could take the real bed. Then the air mattress wasn’t pumped up all the way the first night and he was afraid to wake me by futzing with it. So instead he woke me by thrashing around trying to get comfortable. The second night was better, though.
So hey, airbnb. Give it a try. Not sponsored. Just sharing.
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Suebob's Red Stapler 
I’ve wondered about that. You give me hope!
Also wondered about Jim. Thanks for clearing that up, too.
I was looking through the airbnb listings for Venice (Italy not California!) and saw some lovely little places.
“Also wondered about Jim”……Sigh.
My brother used Airbnb to find places in Israel and Turkey and had great luck with it as well.
Mike just found that app. I spent an hour just marveling at the listings! Granny flat sounds ideal. Not so much the teacher and young daughter where you would get the daughter’s room with posters of Hello Kitty on the walls. Plus you shared a bathroom with them, but could have it to yourself after she left for work. What?!
Oh, and Jim <–wondered. 🙂
Enjoy your “web log” very much. Your skill with words is enviable, but may an “interested amateur make a small suggestion? A interjection such as “alas” or even “dammit” directly after “sleep together” would add vividness and a glimpse into the authors’ soul that we, your loyal readers would appreciate.
I also enjoy your “web log” very much dammit.
The interested amateur comment made me laugh so hard, though I am worried that the writer began a quotation and never ended it. What does this mean for the space-time continuum?
So…I’ve been thinking about running away to Paris for my next birthday. Now I think I may be using that airbnb to find a place to stay.
Thanks for mentioning airbnb. I checked it out and found a cute little place for a vacation in Door County, WI this summer!
I was looking through the airbnb listings for Venice (Italy not California!) and saw some lovely little places.
Ooh, great idea from Heidi! This is an interesting idea – I think maybe it’s better for singles or couples instead of a platonic couple of friends, but it’s worth a try. Since we will be adapting to my lack of employment, maybe this is a good way to keep traveling on a budget.
We’re hoping to go to Portland OR this summer. If we can’t get a free place to stay house sitting, we’ll give this a try. Thanks for the recommendation!