|
|
Post by testtaker on Jul 13, 2008 18:36:38 GMT -5
I have a question for those that trained in Baltimore. I start the Baltimore training on 8/4. I'm on one of those diets where you drink these shakes where you mix their packaged powder with 8 oz of water, some ice & shake alot. Its working well for me (15 lbs so far!) and I want to see if I can stick with it through training, for lunch at least.
What's the lunch situation like Mon - Fri while in Baltimore? Is there a cafeteria? Could I easily get some ice water & ice? I just have no idea what to expect, so please fill me in. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by southerner on Jul 13, 2008 18:59:08 GMT -5
Lunch is generally an hour, sometimes more and sometimes less.
There is a large cafeteria in main building next door and a smaller cafeteria and sundry shop in the training building itself. Water, soft drinks, Dove bars, candy, and such is available in sundry shop. Building cafeteria has donuts, hot dogs, fountain and other soft drinks, coffee (regular and flavored). Caffeine is readily available. Cafeteria next door has a large range of options: pizza, sandwiches made to order via kiosk ordering, pasta dishes, salads, etc. There is recycling there but for the styrofoam trays. On Tuesdays, there is a BBQ service for food in the seating area outside. You can use the SSA Visa card to buy food.
At hotel, breakfast is gratis 7 days and manager's dinner is gratis Mon-Thur. Wednesday is free beer night and Thursday is free wine night. Coffee is available 24/7 on first floor.
There is a small workout area in hotel but the Renaissance is a couple of blocks away and has a much greater choice for working out.
Also, for racquetball fans, the InterContinental has $10 charge to play and use facility per day.
McDonald's is 1 block from hotel. 7/11 is open across street and is 24/7. Dunkin' Donuts is half block from hotel.
Little Italy has some great food. 24 of us went to Mo's the first week of class. They have a shuttle to pick you up and return you if desired. We walked to LemonGrass, a Thai restaurant this evening, about 18 or so blocks, and food was quite good. Vaccaro's is the best place for gelatis and Italian pastries, about 1 block from Mo's.
Enjoy!
|
|
|
|
Post by testtaker on Jul 13, 2008 19:14:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, Southerner.  Sounds like some high caloric lunches can be had there! I assume the soda fountain has an ice dispenser? I sure hope so! |
|
|
|
Post by southerner on Jul 13, 2008 19:36:15 GMT -5
About the Renaissance, it is Marriott-affiliated, so you can use their facilities free. Show your room card and they will give you 3-day pass card which can be renewed every 3 days.
|
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jul 13, 2008 21:20:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, Southerner. Sounds like some high caloric lunches can be had there! I assume the soda fountain has an ice dispenser? I sure hope so! The cafeteria is impressive in terms of the lunch options, but you should have no problem finding water and ice for your shakes. There is also a decent salad bar there, if your shake diet allows you to supplement with salads. I will take issue with Southerner's description about caffeine being readily available.  There is plenty of caffeine available (and so far we've needed it), but it is not Starbucks - caffeine. There is not great coffee available in the cafe and cafeteria, which gets even less great as the day goes on. There is plenty of coke and diet coke (and the Pepsi equivalents) at the snack bar. So yes, it's available, but boy, there are afternoons where I would give anything for a Starbucks, or even a Dunkin' Donuts. |
|
|
|
Post by aaa on Jul 14, 2008 12:48:03 GMT -5
There is both a Starbucks and Panera within walking distance of the hotel! Panera is down by the Inner Harbor near Filene's Basement. Starbucks is up by the grocery store across the street from the Episcopal Church.
|
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jul 14, 2008 20:30:55 GMT -5
True. There is also a McDonalds up the block. But the hotel coffee in the morning seems to be fine. The issue is with the fact that the only options once we get to class are the SSA cafeteria and cafe. There is no place to go outside the building. We are a captive audience. The good news is that the week 2 instructors are great, so perhaps caffeine will not be in as great demand.  |
|
|
|
Post by judicature on Jul 14, 2008 23:17:01 GMT -5
I am a big coffee drinker, and I was satisfied with the coffee provided - it wasn't Starbucks, but it was good enough to keep you from falling asleep . . . .
|
|
|
|
Post by tootsie on Jul 15, 2008 18:02:34 GMT -5
OOOH- Testaker- I have some baaad news for you!
In my view "Camp ALJ" is like a cruise: breakfast buffet, cafeteria buffet at lunch and, of course, the opportunity to eat your way across Baltimore each evening! Of course, as I'm sure Judicature will attest, you could become sick at the thought of yet ANOTHER gourmet meal at some tony establishment, but I had trouble reaching that level of ennui after living in upstate NY for many years! I struggled to only add about 5 pounds to my stalwart frame, but even THAT was a struggle. Good LORD I even shipped crab cakes home!!!
So, I hate to say this, but as Joe Cocker so eloquently put it in "Woman to Woman" - leave the diet at home! (Apologies to Mr. Cocker) You'll have plenty of lunchless days when you get back at the office doing hearings!
BTW Joe C. does not have "thingy" in his name!
|
|
There is plenty of caffeine available (and so far we've needed it), but it is not Starbucks - caffeine. There is not great coffee available in the cafe and cafeteria, which gets even less great as the day goes on. There is plenty of coke and diet coke (and the Pepsi equivalents) at the snack bar. So yes, it's available, but boy, there are afternoons where I would give anything for a Starbucks, or even a Dunkin' Donuts. 
