I know it doesn’t look like much, but this hits hard for me. I’ve spent most of my career traveling for work. Over 4000 nights logged across many brands, corporate apartments, and other short term leases. A lot of my clients were in rural areas with limited lodging options or limited budgets. Cereal, bread, some sort of dehydrated egg product, and breakfast meat - all served up with mediocre coffee. But you know what, I like it.

Traveling was a massive luxury for me as a kid. Staying at a hotel was a very rare occurrence and meant the world to me and my little sister. So when I got a job that led me to weekly travel and allowed me to see all parts of the country (and world with all of the miles and points), I can’t help but feel grateful. Sure, it was exhausting, and often frustrating. Travel delays and cancellations, spending the night in airports, room not ready, or whatever else you can possibly imagine. I’ve seen it all. But you know what - this overly processed, limited option, but free breakfast was always waiting for you in the morning to give you a little nudge of encouragement.

I don’t travel as much for work these days, but when I do end up and one of these types of hotels, I can’t help but smile a little bit at the breakfast in the morning. But don’t sleep in, because they lock that shit down at 9am on the dot.

TLDR: nostalgia