From Hartford, CT, we headed to DC. For this part of the trip, we actually had a couple of days off, so we decided to take the time to go sightseeing. We stayed at the Doubletree hotel next to Dupont Circle for free thanks to using 80,000 Hilton points. My one criticism about this hotel is that the free continental breakfast ends so early - 9AM! We never made breakfast!
DC is a great place to vacation if you’re on a budget. While hotels tend to be expensive, there are a ton of free things to do. After visiting the outdoor memorials (World War II, Korean War, etc) on Wednesday, we visited at least 5-6 Smithsonian museums on Thursday. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes!
Getting from DC to Baltimore is a bit tricky. Per Google, if you take normal public transportation, it’s about 4 hours with at least 6 steps or transfers. I called the Baltimore hotel ahead of time, who suggested using the MARC (local commuter train), but according to the website, it would take about 2 hours with still at least 6 steps or transfers.
Being unfamiliar with the public transportation system and also hauling luggage, we decided the easiest way to travel between the two cities would be to take a shuttle from the DC hotel to DCA, rent a car (ended up being less than $5 thanks to points), and then take a shuttle from BWI to the Baltimore hotel. The shuttles probably cost about $40 total for the two of us.
I should note I get a $2 discount with Super Shuttle each way thanks to buying the entertainment book schools tend to sell annually. [I’m sure you can find a co-worker selling for his/her child! There are also hotel and car rental discounts too.] I also like Super Shuttle because you can book online, receive an email confirmation, and cancel up to four hours prior to pickup to get a refund (you’ll receive a cancellation email). I don’t have to really make conversation with the driver (since you input your airline information), and the shuttle tends to be half the cost of a taxi. It’s an option to keep in mind when traveling without a car.
The one-hour road trip from DC to Baltimore is probably one of the most congested trips I’ve ever taken. We left around 2PM on a Friday, and little did we know we wouldn’t go more than 45mph. It was such a shame, since Hertz gave me a mustang. I never got to really use the accelerator - what a waste! Oh well.
We arrived at the Hilton Baltimore hotel ($65 plus Hilton points per night), which was nice. We had a 19th story view of the clock tower, which was beautiful when lit at night. There’s a Hilton Honors executive lounge, and as a diamond member, I had access. Later during the trip, we met important CONCACAF Gold Cup staff (since our hotel was the headquarters), such as the match commissioner for the USA vs. El Salvador game. Hands down, the hotel had the BEST view I’ve ever had in a lounge. We could see right over Camden Yards (had a clear, unobstructed view of the bases) and subsequently, could see M&T Bank Stadium next door.
Friday night after our short journey, we decided to take it easy. The lounge offered free appetizers (egg rolls and pot stickers) along with fruit, cheese, and veggie plates, so we just ate at the lounge. David was like a little kid in the candy store because of the view.
Another great thing about the Hilton Baltimore was their concierge service via twitter. We wanted to see a movie, and the hotel directed us to a closer movie theater than the one I found via Google maps. I still marvel at the fact that companies are so responsive via twitter. Within five minutes, I had exact directions and had learned there’s a free bus (Charm Circulator) that goes around the city. The bus also happened to stop right in front, outside the hotel. Awesome!
We saw Despicable Me 2 in 3D, and it was a good movie. I like kids movies. It was a nice time, and sometimes you just need that break from the soccer world. We’d also been traveling together daily since July 4th, so it was nice to do something quiet.
The next day on Saturday, we roamed around Camden Yards, since Eutaw Street was open (street alongside the ballpark with bars/stores). David is also a baseball fan, so it was like having a tour guide when he was explaining the history of the ballpark. I am not a baseball fan (too slow-paced for me), but I can appreciate the sport’s contribution to American history.
Friends began to arrive Saturday early afternoon, so we met with our usual AO Detroit couple - Amy and Robert. We went to Tir Na Nog in Inner Harbor (thanks to using the free bus), which brings back memories for me. I was last in Baltimore about four years ago, had a great time at that bar then with co-workers, and I had a great time again with friends.
Later Jim & Shelly from AO DC joined us, and it was like an old gang again. We’ve all met each other on these trips at some point. I think we figured out the Houston Gold Cup semi-final two years ago was the starting point for when I met everyone, although David and Robert had met back in circa 2007. We wandered around Inner Harbor, debated about whether some scrap metal was art, saw an Amish family in purple and black, and had a good time. We drank until it was time to freshen up for dinner. We also learned our hotel’s connected to the convention center, which is important to keep in mind if you’re walking when it’s so hot outside!
I decided to nap because at this point in the trip I developed a cold. I think my body wasn’t used to walking in 100+ degree heat in DC and then going into a museum where the temperature’s about 60 degrees. I wanted to save energy for game day. The rest of the gang went to a dinner organized by AO DC at an oyster bar.
I met the rest of the group at Slainte’s Irish Pub at the night before party (about $12-$13 via taxi). I wasn’t feeling the greatest, so I basically just ate and left. The crowd was your true AO party, which I was pleased to note. The highlight of the night was just as we were leaving. We couldn’t find the exit, so we were running around like chickens with our heads cut off. Out of nowhere, Grant Wahl grabs my arm and says, “Hey!!!! Aren’t you going to say hi?!?!?!” I was stunned. I guess I am no longer considered a stalker of his LOL!
Yesterday I slept in. I still wasn’t feeling the greatest, but I didn’t come all this way and make this trip just to stay in. We went to the firefighters union hall (after a friend confirmed it was indoors, not outdoors, thankfully!) when the party started and grabbed tables under an air conditioning vent. I have to admit I was primarily sober, but still had good conversation.
Considering there’s hardly any parking at M&T bank stadium, it was a good idea we did not rent a car. Megan (AO Houston President) was in Frederick, MD, about an hour outside of Baltimore. She left her family around 11AM and finally showed up at the union hall about 1:40PM. We had seen the traffic build up from the hotel’s executive lounge window, but didn’t realize it had been that bad.
We went into the stadium when the gates opened because we wanted to claim our rightful seats in the front row right behind the goal. We also like to assist with section set-up. It’s a good thing David bought zip-ties because there were none. It was really hot at the beginning of the game. Thankfully the overcast clouds rolled in by halftime, and it rained a bit towards the end of the second half. A box of Ziplock bags has been a lifesaver on this trip, as Ziplock bags can be used as cheap, waterproof cell phone covers.
There were quite a number of drums for the section, which was good, although there was no one with a bass drum and proper bass drum mallets. So, the drums were somewhat muted. There were no capos, so we seemed to be caught in the middle of chants. The people on my right would start a chant, and the people on my left would start a completely different chant. Or, the entire section wouldn’t be together. We definitely needed more than just drums to lead the sections. It was a good turnout though. We won, and that’s all that mattered.
After the game, we tried to leave as quickly as possible so David could book his flight (had booked everything up to the quarterfinals), but it was very difficult. Of ALL the club and country games I’ve attended, exiting M&T Bank Stadium was the worst. We were literally shoulder to shoulder, shuffling along, and trying to find an open gate. I felt like we were cattle being herded. We passed about five gates before finding an open gate; I don’t understand why almost all of the gates were closed. I told the police officers this was a fire hazard, and they didn’t seem too worried. Imagine USA, El Salvadorians, and Hondurans ALL rubbing shoulders with one another. It was NOT a good situation, and you could definitely tell the stadium’s not used to the soccer crowd. One punch thrown, a gun going off (what can I say, I’m from Texas, I think about this kind of stuff), or a smoke bomb being lit in the crowd, and we would not have survived leaving the stadium. And no, I am not over-dramatizing, as others also tweeted about the horrible situation.
We made it to the hotel’s executive lounge, grabbed some crab dip and crackers, and booked David’s flight from BWI to Houston for $328 on US Airways (connect through Philly, one of their hubs). That’s not bad considering we booked within 24 hours of departure, and he was able to find a flight that arrived around the same time as me. He’ll hang out with me at my house, and we’ll drive to Arlington, TX on Wednesday (about 4-5 hours from where I live).
We then decided to go for food, and we ran into our gang in the hotel lobby coincidentally. We decided to head to a bar next door to watch the second quarterfinal game. Honduras won, so we’ll be playing them in the semi-final. We had a good time, chanting and having good conversation. I was happy to note the bar wasn’t blasting loud music, which I can’t stand post-game. I don’t know if I’m getting old, but after the game, I just want a decent, quiet meal.
Today, after leaving my house on July 4th, I flew back home to Houston for free, thanks to miles. I am very grateful that I am able to do this gold cup tournament thanks to my job. I am a very fortunate lady. Off to Arlington!
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