Hotel

Date: 12/10/2017

So, Im on vacation in another state. It is at a beach (not typical for me), and it is just me, no one else. I look down the beach, and I see a bench with some (maybe 20 or so) people looking toward the ocean. Some are sitting on driftwood. I see someone I know, the man is looking anxiously out to sea, but his wife is peacefully looking out at the ocean. The ocean is to my right as I head toward them. The woman greets me in friendly way, but her husband still has his eye on the ocean. She tells me that her son, Hansel, is working as a desk manager in the hotel (also on the beach), and that I should go talk to him. So, I go to the hotel, and it is busy. He makes time to help me and gives me a hotel room for half price, though I didnt ask for that. I thank him, and walk through the hotel. There are many pools in there, and they are built so that you can see what is inside as you walk past (think salt water fish tank - but much much larger - large enough to swim in). Several people ask me to go into the pools, but they look like the ocean, with starfish and barnacles and seaweed. I will have no part of it. I head to my room, which I paid 150 for, and discover it is a luxury suite. I worry that Hansel will get in trouble for giving me a room like that for a price like that (though he is apparently the manager, so maybe I’m worrying over nothing). It is so expansive, almost like an apartment. There is a balcony that opens up to a view the ocean and the beach. It is afternoon, but there are no people on the beach at the moment. I enjoy the breeze as it flows through the windows and rustles the gauzy curtains. I set down my things. The next day, I see Hansel at the beach and I talk with him about how surprised I am to see him there. We sit in the sand and look out at the ocean. It is calm and pleasant. It isn’t hot and I am enjoying the breeze. We talk about how are hundreds of miles from our home. What are the odds that we would see each other here in this place. He is wearing a soccer jersey, and it seems so out of place on him. It is yellow and green, the Brazilian team shirt. He normally wears black band shirts or guitar themed clothing. I cant really focus on what he is saying, not too much, because the soccer jersey seems so out of place, but the colors look fine on him. I tell him so. He jokes that maybe he just shouldn’t wear a shirt at all. he says he needs to go back to work at the front desk, but has enjoyed talking with me. I stay a little bit longer, ans I see him again as I go back into the hotel. this time he is wearing a blue shirt (it has an eagle on it, and the quote from Isaiah 40:31). I note the color suits him, probably the best color for him, but am unfazed by the fact it is the shirt I have, and that he hasn't ever mentioned one way or the other what his faith is. I go to my room, and determine to have him switch me to a room that is not so large. I dont want him to get in trouble for being so generous to me. I also don’t want to feel indebted to him. I leave the room, and realize that I have too much stuff to carry. I leave my bag outside the room, next to a couch. I pull my valuables out of the bag so that if someone takes my stuff, it isnt a problem. I grab the ipad, and tell the girl sitting in the couch that I will come back for my stuff, but not to worry about looking after it. If its there when I come back, great. If not, oh well. I can buy new things. I know that Hansel would replace them for me if they were taken, anyway. When I get back down to the front, it is very very busy. Hansel is not there, though. A man who looks like he is a mechanic or a janitor gets me a room. I feel that something is out of place. I don’t like the vibe. The room is also 150, but even before I see it, I know that it will not be anywhere near what I had before. That it will be a tiny room and it will be dingy. I regret that I didnt wait for Hansel to help me. I consider saying never mind and getting my money back. I wake up.