[meteorite-list] Tucson questions and predictions

From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:26:29 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <417757.76659.qm_at_web30708.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Hi Greg and List Members,

You are right about it being expensive. The hotels and rental car agencies jack up their prices to ridiculous levels during the show. You cannot get a direct flight in without passing through Phoenix where almost every flight is overbooked. One year, Zann and I got bumped four times on a guaranteed flight, not standby.

I told myself after last year's show, I would never attend again. It simply wasn't worth it anymore. In the past, there were always some great deals to be had but very few last year. I added up all of my travel expenses and could have spent several weeks in Hawaii or taken a cruise for what it cost to stay there less than a week.

Add in the fact, that two different local motels, two years in row, took it upon themselves to rip off funds from my credit card and you get the idea. To add insult to injury, even the crime ridden and bed bug infested motels on Miracle Mile triple their prices during the show because Tucson doesn't have the capacity to host this many guests without them. One year, we booked on-line with a so-called "two star rated motel" and got stuck in one these units, complete with a crack pipe hidden in the disgusting kitchenette. It smelt as if somebody had been buried underneath it. Then there is the traffic problems due to never ending road construction.

I used to put up with all of this because it was great to escape the rainy and ever cloudy Northwest for better weather, the parties were fun and there used to be some great deals.

This year will probably be the last time I go to the Tucson show. The only thing that brings me back this year is that I enjoy talking to collectors and enthusists about meteorites. I also have some unfinished business that needs to be concluded this year.

I do wish everybody who is attending a good time and apologize for the negativity. The subject came up about how expensive it is and I wanted to address this since it is a sore spot with me.

Best Regards,

Adam
Received on Fri 30 Jan 2009 04:26:29 PM PST