Recently, I attended the CAMT Math Training in San Antonio. To get geared up for this training, I spent the day before working in my classroom trying to get myself into "teacher mode". Several people told me what a great training this was - so I started to get excited. Well, Max dropped the bomb on me that we were staying at the Menger Hotel. "Isn't that the haunted hotel?" She hadn't heard that story before... But she she heard it when we checked in and asked the front desk clerk about it. Anyway, the training was okay - too crowded in my opinion... So although I was disappointed about the Math, the night life and the Menger Hotel were quite entertaining. One night we came in from a late dinner on the Riverwalk and we decided to walk through the old side of the hotel which is supposedly "haunted". As we walked through the lobby on the old side we came across this couple that was sitting there with cameras waiting for ghosts to come out. There were more ghost hunters upstairs wandering around. I had read about this the night before online - apparently people travel in from all over to look for ghosts. They linger in the old side of the hotel from midnight until about 3am. I managed to spook myself from sleep the first night, as I decided to read this nonsense at midnight. Anyway, the last night of our stay Dana and Tina came up to go out on the Riverwalk with us. As we were walking back to our room, we decided to go through the old side and see the ghost hunters. One of the Menger employees was offering "tours" of the old ball rooms. We decided to put on our best Fright Face and take a picture with him. 
I finally concluded that the Menger Hotel is GENIUS! As we were walking through the Ballroom, the guide announced that he would take us into the next room in a few moments so hurry up and snap a few pictures in the room we were in. When we entered the Ballroom, something crashed and made a huge noise. Everyone plowed me over trying to get out the door. So, I concluded that the Menger is GENIUS -- if they keep the hype about ghosts going, then people will come stay in their Hotel regardless of the quality of rooms... Because trust me, there have been little to NO updates to this hotel since about 1960 something. In fact, the toilet in the bathroom is like school locker room style with the silver handle about 2 feet above the toilet. I don't necessarily believe in ghosts, but hey, to each his own! If it brings in the business then go for it... Rock on Menger Hotel, Rock on!!!
