It was a March evening this year and after a round of museums and some work meetings, I hit the hotel room early. It was my last night in Washington DC before flying to Louisville the next morning and I did not want to end up weary with too many engagements outside.

On a spring morning this year when Chicago was bracing for waves of celebratory crowds in the streets for its annual big, green St. Patrick's Day, I woke up to a quiet, sublime morning in a hotel suite overlooking Michigan Avenue. 

When the Uber driver dropped us off on the main street of Monpellier driving through the iconic city gateway that is Porte du Peyrou, I thought my five-star hotel was just around with some impressive portico.