Comments on: Affording $AA http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/ The MSI Diaries Fri, 18 May 2012 13:15:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rachael http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/comment-page-1/#comment-2321 Rachael Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:54:02 +0000 http://newarchivist.com/?p=859#comment-2321 I highly recommend using the Metro System. Dupont Circle is a great neighborhood but not as cheap as it could be. Um, don't go to SE, kids. Anacostia is not for you. I highly recommend using the Metro System. Dupont Circle is a great neighborhood but not as cheap as it could be. Um, don’t go to SE, kids. Anacostia is not for you.

]]> By: Rob S http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/comment-page-1/#comment-2223 Rob S Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:05:53 +0000 http://newarchivist.com/?p=859#comment-2223 Also, Adams Morgan is just a mile away - an easy walk down Calvert St. Yelp.com lists <a href="http://is.gd/dR6TU" rel="nofollow">almost 40 places to eat in Adams Morgan in the one-$ category</a>. Also, Adams Morgan is just a mile away – an easy walk down Calvert St. Yelp.com lists almost 40 places to eat in Adams Morgan in the one-$ category.

]]> By: Rob S http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/comment-page-1/#comment-2222 Rob S Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:48:51 +0000 http://newarchivist.com/?p=859#comment-2222 Great topic, great post. Lance's suggestion to use Priceline is worth noting. In these lean times, both new and experienced archivists are looking at partial funding (at best), especially if SAA is not the only conference you plan to attend this year. I use Priceline rather than the conference hotel for any meeting in a large city. The key is to do your research on <a href="http://www.BetterBidding.com" rel="nofollow">BetterBidding.com</a> first to learn tips for using Priceline effectively. Staying elsewhere and riding the Metro to the conference is, for me, worth $100+ per night savings. Plus, personally speaking, I don't think Woodley Park is the most interesting neighborhood of DC, so getting away from Connecticut Ave and seeing more of the city is another benefit. Good luck to all Broke Archivists! Great topic, great post. Lance’s suggestion to use Priceline is worth noting. In these lean times, both new and experienced archivists are looking at partial funding (at best), especially if SAA is not the only conference you plan to attend this year. I use Priceline rather than the conference hotel for any meeting in a large city. The key is to do your research on BetterBidding.com first to learn tips for using Priceline effectively.

Staying elsewhere and riding the Metro to the conference is, for me, worth $100+ per night savings. Plus, personally speaking, I don’t think Woodley Park is the most interesting neighborhood of DC, so getting away from Connecticut Ave and seeing more of the city is another benefit.

Good luck to all Broke Archivists!

]]> By: Broke Archivist-in-training http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/comment-page-1/#comment-2180 Broke Archivist-in-training Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:03:22 +0000 http://newarchivist.com/?p=859#comment-2180 If you're a broke, adventurous person who likes to relive your college years, a seriously cheap-o option is a hostel (the best in most cities is usually the Hostelling International hostel, but not always). As a broke archives associate (i.e. paraprofessional), I had originally had plans to stay with friends in DC but when those fell through I booked a bed in a hostel. I've been traveling in hostels since I was 15, so it's an environment that I'm comfortable with, and even enjoy. I realize this is an option that is definitely not for everyone or even most people (and probably even speaks to how sadly underpaid those of us at the bottom of the food chain are), but hey, my week at the hostel will cost me what two "discounted" nights at the Marriott would have. If you’re a broke, adventurous person who likes to relive your college years, a seriously cheap-o option is a hostel (the best in most cities is usually the Hostelling International hostel, but not always). As a broke archives associate (i.e. paraprofessional), I had originally had plans to stay with friends in DC but when those fell through I booked a bed in a hostel. I’ve been traveling in hostels since I was 15, so it’s an environment that I’m comfortable with, and even enjoy. I realize this is an option that is definitely not for everyone or even most people (and probably even speaks to how sadly underpaid those of us at the bottom of the food chain are), but hey, my week at the hostel will cost me what two “discounted” nights at the Marriott would have.

]]> By: Christie http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/comment-page-1/#comment-2179 Christie Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:58:35 +0000 http://newarchivist.com/?p=859#comment-2179 Forgot to add: the Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo and the National Gallery of Art are all FREE! Well, we all pay for them through taxes, but there's no additional cost to actually visit. I very highly recommend the National Gallery of Art; it's one of my favorite art museums in the world. Many of the museums are open later some nights of the week and they're all super-easy to get to using public transportation. Forgot to add: the Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo and the National Gallery of Art are all FREE! Well, we all pay for them through taxes, but there’s no additional cost to actually visit. I very highly recommend the National Gallery of Art; it’s one of my favorite art museums in the world. Many of the museums are open later some nights of the week and they’re all super-easy to get to using public transportation.

]]> By: Susan http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/comment-page-1/#comment-2178 Susan Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:57:12 +0000 http://newarchivist.com/?p=859#comment-2178 Some nicer supermarkets have salad bars and small panini style sandwiches you can order to go. It winds up being cheaper than paying for similar food in a restaurant. Some nicer supermarkets have salad bars and small panini style sandwiches you can order to go. It winds up being cheaper than paying for similar food in a restaurant.

]]> By: Susan http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/comment-page-1/#comment-2177 Susan Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:56:18 +0000 http://newarchivist.com/?p=859#comment-2177 Lodging: Look for a place to stay on Airbnb.com You might be able to find a couch, spare bedroom or an entire apartment someone will rent out to you (also the site sometimes has coupon codes on their Twitter and blog for additional savings). I've used this while on vacation in several very expensive cities and have had good experiences each time. Food: I asked a colleague who visits D.C. several times a year (and used to live there) about some restaurants she'd recommend within the general vicinity. These are all closest to the Dupont Circle metro stop (one stop away from the zoo stop) and you can view their menus online: Cafe Luna http://www.skewers-cafeluna.com Lauriol Plaza (Mexican) http://www.lauriolplaza.com Mai Thai http://www.maithai.us Lodging:

Look for a place to stay on Airbnb.com
You might be able to find a couch, spare bedroom or an entire apartment someone will rent out to you (also the site sometimes has coupon codes on their Twitter and blog for additional savings). I’ve used this while on vacation in several very expensive cities and have had good experiences each time.

Food:

I asked a colleague who visits D.C. several times a year (and used to live there) about some restaurants she’d recommend within the general vicinity. These are all closest to the Dupont Circle metro stop (one stop away from the zoo stop) and you can view their menus online:

Cafe Luna
http://www.skewers-cafeluna.com

Lauriol Plaza (Mexican)
http://www.lauriolplaza.com

Mai Thai
http://www.maithai.us

]]> By: Angelique http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/comment-page-1/#comment-2176 Angelique Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:49:47 +0000 http://newarchivist.com/?p=859#comment-2176 Great post Lance! I particularly enjoy "The League of Broke Archivists" - fantastic name! I think having a group of people pooling their resources to book at another hotel is a good idea. (Which may actually be much easier next year in Chicago where all the hotels are pretty close to each other.) Or at the very least having a place online that's dedicated to finding roommates for the conference. I'm lucky enough to be partially funded for this trip, but anything I can do to make my out of pocket expenses lower is great. My tip for DC is to check out the city's website. Their visitor's page has a list of "100 Free (Or Nearly Free) Things To Do In DC" (http://su.pr/1HLNEE). If you have any free time, it's a good place to find something to do. Personally, I'm thinking of hitting up the Zoo (http://nationalzoo.si.edu/) near the hotel. It's free. :) Great post Lance! I particularly enjoy “The League of Broke Archivists” – fantastic name! I think having a group of people pooling their resources to book at another hotel is a good idea. (Which may actually be much easier next year in Chicago where all the hotels are pretty close to each other.) Or at the very least having a place online that’s dedicated to finding roommates for the conference. I’m lucky enough to be partially funded for this trip, but anything I can do to make my out of pocket expenses lower is great.

My tip for DC is to check out the city’s website. Their visitor’s page has a list of “100 Free (Or Nearly Free) Things To Do In DC” (http://su.pr/1HLNEE). If you have any free time, it’s a good place to find something to do. Personally, I’m thinking of hitting up the Zoo (http://nationalzoo.si.edu/) near the hotel. It’s free. :)

]]> By: Rachel Binnington http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/comment-page-1/#comment-2175 Rachel Binnington Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:34:59 +0000 http://newarchivist.com/?p=859#comment-2175 DC is a great town and there heaps of ways to get around the expensive aspect of it. I lived there for 5 months as an archival intern (on a salary of $22,000/year pro rata; not really enough to rent a cupboard) and had several tricks up my sleeve. I got amazingly lucky and was able to live rent-free with a family in Forest Glen in exchange for childcare and it made my time there all the better. Rent a room via Craigslist, Crashpad, the City Paper, etc (loads of short lets, etc). Also, a lot of the Universities may be a potential source of dorm accommodation. Pack your lunch/dinner, etc. $2.50 for 2 Hebrew National Hotdogs, a bag of chips, and a drink. - A great lunch option for carnivores. These hotdog vendors are strewn throughout the city. Drink at Happy Hours that are not at a hotel bar. Adams Morgan's Tupelo Lounce and the Grill from Impanema have great atmospheres and won't break the bank and there are so many places to choose from, that, well. . . you'll be spoiled for choice. With airfare, I always try to fly into DCA; it is on the Metro line and I always kind of figure that the cost of what I would save flying into BWI, I end up spending in Time. When I fly into Dulles and BWI, though, I tend to be a shameless exploiter of my friends and abuse their possessions of automobiles. DC is a great town and there heaps of ways to get around the expensive aspect of it. I lived there for 5 months as an archival intern (on a salary of $22,000/year pro rata; not really enough to rent a cupboard) and had several tricks up my sleeve. I got amazingly lucky and was able to live rent-free with a family in Forest Glen in exchange for childcare and it made my time there all the better.

Rent a room via Craigslist, Crashpad, the City Paper, etc (loads of short lets, etc). Also, a lot of the Universities may be a potential source of dorm accommodation.

Pack your lunch/dinner, etc.

$2.50 for 2 Hebrew National Hotdogs, a bag of chips, and a drink. – A great lunch option for carnivores. These hotdog vendors are strewn throughout the city.

Drink at Happy Hours that are not at a hotel bar. Adams Morgan’s Tupelo Lounce and the Grill from Impanema have great atmospheres and won’t break the bank and there are so many places to choose from, that, well. . . you’ll be spoiled for choice.

With airfare, I always try to fly into DCA; it is on the Metro line and I always kind of figure that the cost of what I would save flying into BWI, I end up spending in Time. When I fly into Dulles and BWI, though, I tend to be a shameless exploiter of my friends and abuse their possessions of automobiles.

]]> By: Christie http://newarchivist.com/2010/07/26/affording-saa/comment-page-1/#comment-2174 Christie Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:30:29 +0000 http://newarchivist.com/?p=859#comment-2174 There is no shame in brown-bagging. On your first day in town, stop by a grocery store and do some shopping. If you have several friends doing this, one can request a refrigerator in his/her room and everyone chip in for the cost. Have breakfast in your room (if the hotel doesn't provide it) and pack sandwiches, etc. for lunch and snacks at the conference hotel. Can definitely be done for less than eating out, even cheaply, will cost you. Depending on how long your stay is, the savings can really add up. Plus you get the benefit of eating food you like. (oh, and PS ... the fridge can also be used to chill beer/alcohol; why go to a bar when you can party with your friends like teenagers on prom night?!) There is no shame in brown-bagging. On your first day in town, stop by a grocery store and do some shopping. If you have several friends doing this, one can request a refrigerator in his/her room and everyone chip in for the cost. Have breakfast in your room (if the hotel doesn’t provide it) and pack sandwiches, etc. for lunch and snacks at the conference hotel. Can definitely be done for less than eating out, even cheaply, will cost you. Depending on how long your stay is, the savings can really add up. Plus you get the benefit of eating food you like. (oh, and PS … the fridge can also be used to chill beer/alcohol; why go to a bar when you can party with your friends like teenagers on prom night?!)

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