I LOVE AMERICANS!

Lizzie and I just returned from a trip to St. George and Las Vegas. As is our established habit, we flew to Vegas, rented a car, drove to St. George, visited the Grand folks, then returned to Vegas for the business portion and finally flew back home.

I like traveling. It forces me out of my comfort zones giving me fresh perspectives on the human condition. In a nutshell, this trip, my impression is that Americans are a wonderful race. Just a few of my experiences:

Wally Park – We left our Corolla and hopped the Wally shuttle to DIA. In the rush to load our bags into the shuttle, un-noticed by us, the driver grabbed a big black bag I keep in the car for emergencies at the plant. As we were getting off the shuttle I (not mister detail man) walked past the bag saying to my self, “That looks like the bags we use at the plant?” Lizzie (the boys know her as Inspector Gadget) noticed my name on the bag. Now what to do? We didn’t have time to go back to the car!! The driver said he would put it back into the trunk. And true to his word it was there when we returned seven days later.

Advantage Rent a Car – Long line trying to get the car. A nice lady sees the line and comes in from out in the garage to help us. She takes me and makes a deteriorating experience into a pleasant one, even upgrading the car without me asking.

Mandalay Bay – The pleasant Maitre d’ at the Buffet. Made the whole experience brighter and he remembered us, seating us by an open window each time we visited. Which was way too many times!

Taxis – The District would rather we not rent cars for the business portion of our trips. My hats off to the cabbies and the hotel staff that keeps ‘em coming: Always polite and helpful with a little wit thrown in for good measure. I jump in a cab at the Mirage heading for the M’ Bay in high traffic. The Cabbie, a dark skinned Middle Eastern type, says, “Where you from?” I tell him Denver, and to return the favor, ask him where he is from. He replies, “Iraq, are you afraid of me now?!” Thinking as quickly as a 64 y/o man can, I replied laughingly, “ I’m a citizen of the meanest, toughest, most violent country in the world and served this nation in war and peace for 26 years. Why should I be afraid of you? You should be worried about me sitting here behind you in the back seat.” He laughed, and as we weaved through the back streets of Vegas making great time, we had a wonderful conversation about his time in America, his aspirations, and love of freedom.
I usually tip cabbies well. They have a tough job. After paying the fare of a very pleasant East Indian cabbie, he blessed me with a Hindu blessing. I was very touched.

Bellagio – The team that choreographs the Fountain must be delightful people full of talent and humor. We never tire of visiting there.

These are only a few of the experiences I had with super people.