LAS VEGAS – Early morning brings about time for reflection and inspiration—a time to assess your environment, connect with humility and graphically underscore positive thinking.
Having said that, makes one wonder if such moments ever came about for Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao, the Unabomber, and Al Capone. Or did they spend their time dreaming up schemes to murder more people? That’s a topic for another day.
Daybreak in the desert is accompanied by spectacular sunrises just like it does back home. You see tall buildings instead of trees, however. Off in the distance there are snowcapped mountains, and the night people are still active and engaged.
Some are working to keep the casinos clean and uncluttered. Las Vegas is always kempt and tidy. One thing they will never conquer, however, is the fog of smoke which permeates the premises.
Ensconced in a solitary cocoon often works wonders with one’s mind and inner thoughts. One contemplates what brings about satisfaction from sitting at a slot machine deeply inhaling a filtered cigarette with relentless abandon with a bourbon and Coke within arm’s length and playing the video enhanced slot machines for hours on end.
What is the allure, you might ask? If you play poker for hours, there is conversation and interaction but going one-on-one with a slot machine would never make my day.
As an early riser, I am all out of sorts. The good news is that at any hour of the day, you can find coffee. My room at the Aria Hotel does not offer any “brew-your-own” options. There is plenty of Fiji bottled water and tasty snacks but at a price that greatly exceeds a fiscal conservative’s budget.
I have noticed that when you come here you find the most updated facilities and services but there are no sofas or chairs with which to take a comforting respite. You will find a marble slab with a back rest which is a reminder that those in the gambling business want you to eat, drink and gamble. You don’t come here to relax in the lobby and engage in small talk. All night long, gambling gets priority.
One morning, I was up at 3:00 a.m. local time and headed to the coffee shop with a pad and pen. I ordered a medium cup of coffee which cost $5.00 not counting tax and tip. Enjoyed coffee as I made up a “to do” list for the coming week.
Las Vegas literally makes you tip unless you fork over cash. As soon as your credit card is engaged, you must pay a minimum gratuity of 15 %. There is a bellman to unload whatever luggage you bring for your stay. Another one takes it to the front desk for check-in and a third one takes it to your room. I always thought that tipping was for extra special service, not for shaking down weary travelers.
At an early morning hour, people watching makes you realize that the amalgamation of humanity reflects the world we live in today. People check into the hotels at all hours of the day. Some are also leaving. You see this activity and wonder how they rated their stay. Is it based on winnning and losing? The dress is anything from a little of nothing to fur stoles.
One thing that gets the highest of marks is the food. You can’t find a bad meal in this glitzy town. The cost is another matter. Nothing is cheap—from Louis Vuitton merchandise to a car rental to ride out into the desert or to tour Hoover Dam.
I had a friend who figured out how to win more money than he lost. He came here once a quarter and opened a bank account. He didn’t hit it big enough to buy his own plane or a condo at the beach, but he managed to stay out of the red with his account.
It was his vacation and cost him literally nothing. He covered his expenses, ate well while here and enjoyed the shows and attractions. He didn’t run with the “Rat Pack,” and he didn’t sit backstage for coffee with Elvis or Brittany Spears. He found a way to enjoy himself on his own terms. He obviously got a rush from rolling the dice.
Each to his own, but I prefer to get that rush from a good book by an indolent fire. For the record, there is far less risk doing it my way.