I am writing this post from the lobby of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. I am awaiting the arrival of the famous Peabody ducks. As you MAY know, every day the ducks come down the elevator from the top floor penthouse where they live to swim in the lobby fountain for the day. When I arrived on Tuesday, I was sitting near where I am sitting now listening to the piano player play a variety of Broadway show tunes, Christmas Carols and classical music. As I looked around at the ornate and festive surroundings, I reflected on a conversation I had with the rental car shuttle bus driver (June) who took me to pick up my car. On the way to the lot she asked me where I was staying. I told her and quoted the ridiculously low price I was paying for a Four Star/Four Diamond Hotel. She responded with “that is more than I make in a day.” Wow! She truly thought I was wealthy…if she only knew howI defined “rich” and how “rich” I really am. Further conversation revealed that June was born in Memphis and that she had never been to the Peabody. Never stepped inside one of the south’s most historic and celebrated hotels. I couldn’t believe it.

My travels have take me to Memphis many times and I have had the pleasure of staying at the Peabody both here and in Orlando several times. I have also seen, or stayed in many historic and luxury hotels including; The Breakers in Palm Beach, The Phoenician in Scottsdale, The Homestead in Virginia, several Ritz Carlton Hotels, The Four Seasons Palm Beach, The Biltmore Miami and Asheville, The Grand Hotel on Macinac Island, The Warwick Hotel in New York and many others. I have also worked for the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, a beautiful ocean front Five Diamond property. These experiences have helped me experience thifestyle of the rich and famous without being either.

I am truly a shorts and flip flop or jeans and sweat shirt kind of a guy. I can be just as happy staying at a motel on the beach with sandy floors or at a mountain cabin that might have the aroma of years of visitors. BUT the place I stay that brings me the most comfort and love is the one I will stay in tonight (my home with my family). But it’s fun every now and again to stay at or visit an ornate hotel (particularly an older one).

So as result of meeting June (an African American woman in her late 50’s), I am going on a date in January. June and I have exchanged phone numbers so when I come back to Memphis, I am going to ask her to put on her Sunday best and meet her at the Peabody for dessert and coffee. We’ll watch the ducks march out of the lobby fountain and raise a glass, as they make their way to the elevator to the top floor of the hotel. Those rich, spoiled, overfed ducks…