Here are some suggestions on how to keep me happy and thriving while I am in your community.

If I am staying in a hotel. . .

- I would like a non-smoking room with a desk. A desk is important to me, but if the room is for only one night, I can survive without it.

- I prefer a room on the first floor but I realize it is not always possible.

- I appreciate a room with a refrigerator although I realize that this is also not always possible.

- If there is a choice (and usually there is), I prefer two smaller beds over one king bed, but only if I can get a desk. (Inexplicably, some hotel chains furnish desks only in rooms with king-size beds. The desk is more important to me than the extra bed.)

- I usually bring my own breakfast food or purchase it in the area, so don’t worry about whether there is a restaurant in the hotel for breakfast.

- If I’m staying in your area for several nights and people from your school would like to dine with me, I would be delighted to join them one evening.

If I am staying in a private home. . .

- I generally prefer staying in a private home to a hotel. If you can find me a willing host, I will be grateful.

- I would like a private room and bath. The bath does not have to be attached to the bedroom. If it is not possible for me to have a private bath, I can share.

- My hosts do not have to entertain me. I have plenty to do, and I will want “down time.”

- I need to connect my laptop computer to the internet via a broadband (cable or DSL) connection.

- I will not leave any charges on my host’s phone bill. If I cannot use my cell phone, I’ll use a calling card, but if my host has telephone service with unlimited domestic calling, I’d appreciate their letting me know.

-I don’t drink coffee and I don’t drink milk, but I will bring or buy soymilk for my breakfast cereal. For breakfast, I usually have juice, cereal and soymilk, and a little fresh fruit if available.  I don’t need a cooked breakfast. If I have a car, or access to stores, I’m happy to go shopping myself for the soymilk.

-For other meals, my diet is eclectic and easy to accommodate (although I do prefer low-fat foods). I will be happy to dine with my host family or not, according to their preferences.

- I have made many friends while staying in private homes during my travels, and I am confident that my visit will be a very pleasant experience for all!

At the school. . . and after. . .

- I sometimes like juice and/or a healthy snack between morning presentations. This is not expected but when offered it is appreciated.

- Some schools arrange for me to eat lunch with a select group of students. While I understand why a school might wish to offer this opportunity to students, I really need “down time” during my lunch break. If it is very important to you for me to eat with students, please discuss the situation with me before making any plans.

-Some schools have arranged for potluck lunches with faculty during the lunch period and I have always found these to be enjoyable.

-Please don’t arrange any after-school (afternoon or evening) obligations, including dinners, without making prior arrangements.

- If I am scheduled to do an evening program, please discuss dinner plans with me in advance. I usually prefer to eat afterwards. Please don’t arrange for a group of people to eat dinner with me prior to an evening program unless we have discussed it.

Finally. . .

It may seem as if I’m very particular but that’s not the case. I almost always have very positive experiences. If I didn’t love traveling to schools, libraries and conferences, I wouldn’t do it. I also enjoy meeting people. Occasionally, however, well-intentioned people have made arrangements that have not worked well for me, and I am trying to prevent that from happening.  Most problems can be avoided if I know your plans in advance.

I am looking forward to meeting you and spending time in your area!

David Schwartz