Alexandra Bogdanovic's Blog: That's life... - Posts Tagged "amtrak"

It was an adventure of a lifetime.
On Friday, Jan. 30, I embarked on a trip to Florida to receive the latest award for my memoir, Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey. But I didn't fly. Instead, I made the 900-plus mile journey from New York City to Orlando by train.
The trip was supposed to take approximately 22-and-a-half hours, but it actually took 24. Now, 24-hours in a coach seat may sound like torture -- but in all honesty it wasn't that bad. In fact it was no worse than a 20-plus hour trans-continental/trans-Pacific flight from the east coast of America to Australia.
If given a choice, I'd probably take the train everywhere. It's a great way to meet people and an even better way to see the country. On this particular trip down the eastern seaboard, I got some fantastic photographs (like this one in Baltimore) and I met some interesting characters along the way.
By the time I arrived in Orlando on Saturday afternoon, I was grungy and exhausted. But with plenty of time before the awards banquet, I explored my hotel and immediate surroundings. I also took advantage of the well-stocked wet bar in my hotel room.
Held at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in downtown Orlando, the awards banquet itself was well worth the trip. It was an intimate affair featuring some wonderful acceptance speeches by some truly amazing authors. A few of us ended the evening with drinks at a nearby bar and by Sunday morning, I was definitely glad I had the day to relax.
As it turned out, my Super Bowl Sunday began with a leisurely breakfast and continued with a stroll around Lake Eola Park and a trip to the local history center. I got back to the hotel just in time to do some writing and order room service before the big game.
Monday morning came all too soon and before I knew it, I was back on another train heading north. And, as it always happens, the return trip was quicker than the first one.
I arrived at New York City's Penn Station to find frigid temperatures and the remnants of a winter storm on the ground. But it really didn't matter.
It was good to be home.
Until next time, "That's life..."