Truthful Thursday - Small town hospitality

It's truly amazing how small town folks are genuinely polite, kind, helpful, and friendly.  We experienced so much of this while we were touring the Maritimes aka Atlantic provinces of Canada.  You wouldn't believe what this man who was just doing his job on a beautiful Thursday morning.  He actually stopped three lanes of traffic going towards the bridge to Halifax.  He did this for me who was a little confused and had missed my exit which was by the way, was not marked, there was literally no sign.  Apparently everyone from there knows that exit.  I was a little funny because I was almost in tears because I'm petrified of bridges specially high ones.  Aside from the fear, I wasn't even destined to cross that bridge

I needed to exit so I can find my hotel in Dartmouth.  

      

When asking for directions, the people are so helpful without hesitation.  One night we had dinner at a newly open bar with a pool table but serves Chinese food.  Different but great bartender who took care of us and had a great time tasting several types of local beer.  Some of the wonderful people I met was Louise from New Brunswick (great sightseeing tips)and Susan from Halifax (enjoyed her company on the Ferry).  We also met some really nice people while staying at the Summerside Inn.  Margaret and Harry from Winnipeg, Manitoba who actually know exactly where Cranberry Portage is. 

The one disappointment we encountered was this female who was traveling on the GO train at the Toronto's main station downtown.  Since we are not so familiar with their platform #s

we made a mistake of asking this particular female where #11 was.  Her response was "GO  find it". only to find out that she was also headed for the same direction on the same platform on the same train. I guess some of these people are getting tired of tourists asking for directions.  I guess this is big city attitude.  This is an isolated incident, right.  After all, Canadians are known to be polite, friendly and just plain nice people. 

Truthful Thursday - Not a great trip

Last Tuesday I took my sister to Cache Creek Casino and Resort.  Instead of driving I opted to take the bus because it will be more relaxing and we can definitely catch up with our stories.  Unfortunately, I did not get the seats we wanted even with a reservation.  Our seats were a few rows from the back and right under the air conditioner which was too noisy.  This was the beginning of the not so great trip.  I brought the Kindle Fire for my sister so she could read just in case I fall asleep which I did.  The head phones came in handy because I really did not want to listen to some of the passengers that were talking a bit too loud and of course the noisy AC.  Two hours later were arrived at the casino and everyone on the bus was so in a hurry to get off the bus.  We were the last passengers to get off the bus and we headed straight to the restroom.  Then it was time to register and get a card for my sister and collect the $10 bonus play (she was not able to use it for some reason).  Since we took our time, there was no line up at the booth.  The employee who was assisting us was very rude.  She told us that we should have reported as soon as we got off the bus.  She was not very happy to do what we needed in order to start our gambling experience.  By this time my sister just wanted to leave specially when she found out that the casino was not a NON SMOKING casino.  This was not the only bad experience.  While trying to use one of the kiosk, we were rudely ask to get out of the way as they were moving the money card to an area close by.  There's a few more stories but I am guessing you get it already.  It was a very disappointing trip for my sister and she could not understand why everyone we encountered was not nice nor polite.  It's Thursday and that's the truth.

Shamless Sunday - Unruly Shoppers

These type of people should not be allowed in the stores.  These are those who are either uneducated, unruly and just outright rude.  When there is a line being formed for the cashier,

there always seems to be one or two who either jumps the line or tries to make their own line.  The problem sometimes is that the cashier will take them even though they can see that there were other people waiting.  I guess you already know why I am doing this post.  Someone pissed me off and I have to vent.  By the way, I left my item at the store because I was not satisfied with what the cashier's response to me.  Now I am going to write a review on Yelp.  The funny thing was that I was the only one who was upset, all the other shoppers just waited in line even though this particular man did what he did.  I am sure that what he does all the time because he thinks he is special and he does not have to wait like everyone else.  I guess that's why I shop during the day when the store less shoppers.  OK I am done.

Talking about shameless or shameful.  I don't know which one I will fall under.  But after coming home from our mini get away, I just realized that I have been to at least ten of the Indian Casino and Resort in Northern California.  Here's my list.

1. Robinson Rancheria - stay and play
2. Jackson Rancheria - stay and play - dry casino
3. Black Oak
4. Red Hawk
5. Thunder Valley
6. Cache Creek
7. River Rock
8. Gold Country - stay and play
9. Feather Falls
10. Chuckchansi - stay and play
11. Table Mountain - dry casino

Although Jeff does not really gamble, he would put in no more $20.  Most of the time he would play a little, check out the sports bar, use the hot tub or just keep me company.  Since we've been to most, I guess it will be a while before we go to one again.  By the way, my list is  covering the years that I have known Jeff which will be ten years by February 2013.  Oh how time flies by when you are having fun.