Get creative with your business travel

Back in 2007, I had a job that required me to travel extensively. I was at a conference one time, and I spoke to another attendee who was more accustomed to business travel than I was. I told him I enjoyed the opportunity to go to new places all the time. He said something to the effect of, “So you’re still at the point where you see the travel as a perk? That won’t last.” He was apparently a salty old veteran of the jet set lifestyle and had become disillusioned with it.

It’s understandable. If you have a family, you don’t like to be away from them for long. Plus, air travel can be uncomfortable and inconvenient — especially with today’s security restrictions. It can be disorienting to try to find your way around a new place when you’re on a tight schedule. But I still relish it as an opportunity, and I try to make the most of it.

After a long hiatus, I’m back in the saddle of business travel with my current job. I don’t travel all the time, but I do it just enough to satisfy my need to go to new places. Unfortunately, I don’t find myself in the best financial position personally, so the only opportunities I get to travel significant distances is if someone else is footing the bill.

I recently spent a week in the Los Angeles area for work. It was a great trip. Sure I did a lot of work while I was there, but I also made time to play. I never once ordered room service in the hotel. I went out to eat at different places almost every time (a legitimate business expense because you have to eat somewhere). And, on my own dime, I also attended a Clippers game at Staples Center with my boss and spent an extra day traveling around with my camera to go to places I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to go.

Here are just a few of my favorites:

This man was using fluorescent paint to communicate a gospel message to passersby at Santa Monica Pier.

The ferris wheel at Pacific Park put on a dazzling light show.

The Pacific Ocean waves crash against the shoreline at Santa Monica.

This man was dressed as the devil…riding the red line train from downtown Los Angeles to Hollywood, where he posed for photos on the street with his “I Made You Do It” sign. I gave him $3 to pose for this photo.

This is the famous Santa Monica Pier sign. I think it’s neat during the day, but it’s even cooler at night.

This seagull came in for a landing at Long Beach.

So, even after all these years, I still see business travel as an opportunity. I try very hard to take it all in and come back with some good pictures.