A year or two after my husband died and having worked overtime for months straight, I decided it was time for A Vacation. A Real Vacation, not camping, not driving thousands of miles, not eating out of an ice chest. There was a travel agency near my home so I stopped in there to see what was out there. The agent asked me where I wanted to go and do. I said I didn't want what everybody else does -- no Cancun/Cozumel, nothing like that. I had already traveled all of the US, western Canada, Mexico, and Guatemala. She asked my budget; I said, "However much it costs." After a few minutes on her computer, she asked, "How about a 12 day cruise of the Mediterranean?" DONE!!!
The ship was Holland America, v-e-r-y nice, mostly retired couples. I paid extra to have a nice suite, by myself, with a balcony, sitting area, desk, really nice! There was a fantastic gym, spa, salon, pool, theater, everything you can imagine. And...a small casino. I do love the slots. I would spend every evening in that casino, with a self-imposed limit of $100/evening. Got to know the employees there; "Your usual, Miss (GoodEnuff)?"
On the last night, they slipped a bill under your door for any services, etc., that you purchased during the trip. As I was leaving the cabin to head to the casino, there it was...$2,000. This did not include casino charges, btw. I thought to myself, "Well, I have had a really good time," and laughed my way to the $1 slots. Visited a bit with the manager/asst manager/waiter. When I got down to my last dollar, I said a little "prayer" to my late husband, "Well, Mr. GoodEnuff, how about a little help here?"
I dropped in my last allowed dollar, pressed the button, and suddenly all these lights and noises started going off. You must know that I am not one to want a lot of attention and people were starting to look over at me which made me a little nervous. I thought I had broken the machine! Since I didn't have my glasses on, I couldn't read the small print message that was flashing across the line. Soon, the asst mgr came around the corner and he said, "Oh! It's You!" I said, "I'm so sorry, I think I broke your machine."
He chuckled and said, "No, you won." I asked, "I won!? I'm sorry, I don't have my glasses on and can't read what this says. How much have I won?" He said, "$2,000." I was stunned. He left to go get the cash. Cash! The manager then came over and I asked if they could just issue a check or credit my account. I didn't want to carry that much cash through the airports, buses, taxis, etc. No, they had to pay it in cash. As they counted out the money into my hands, with a few people standing around watching, I started to shake. The asst manager told the waiter, "Bring Ms GoodEnuff a drink." I added, "Make it a double!" And tipped the waiter $100.
I know you all have some really cool stories. Let's hear them!
The ship was Holland America, v-e-r-y nice, mostly retired couples. I paid extra to have a nice suite, by myself, with a balcony, sitting area, desk, really nice! There was a fantastic gym, spa, salon, pool, theater, everything you can imagine. And...a small casino. I do love the slots. I would spend every evening in that casino, with a self-imposed limit of $100/evening. Got to know the employees there; "Your usual, Miss (GoodEnuff)?"
On the last night, they slipped a bill under your door for any services, etc., that you purchased during the trip. As I was leaving the cabin to head to the casino, there it was...$2,000. This did not include casino charges, btw. I thought to myself, "Well, I have had a really good time," and laughed my way to the $1 slots. Visited a bit with the manager/asst manager/waiter. When I got down to my last dollar, I said a little "prayer" to my late husband, "Well, Mr. GoodEnuff, how about a little help here?"
I dropped in my last allowed dollar, pressed the button, and suddenly all these lights and noises started going off. You must know that I am not one to want a lot of attention and people were starting to look over at me which made me a little nervous. I thought I had broken the machine! Since I didn't have my glasses on, I couldn't read the small print message that was flashing across the line. Soon, the asst mgr came around the corner and he said, "Oh! It's You!" I said, "I'm so sorry, I think I broke your machine."
He chuckled and said, "No, you won." I asked, "I won!? I'm sorry, I don't have my glasses on and can't read what this says. How much have I won?" He said, "$2,000." I was stunned. He left to go get the cash. Cash! The manager then came over and I asked if they could just issue a check or credit my account. I didn't want to carry that much cash through the airports, buses, taxis, etc. No, they had to pay it in cash. As they counted out the money into my hands, with a few people standing around watching, I started to shake. The asst manager told the waiter, "Bring Ms GoodEnuff a drink." I added, "Make it a double!" And tipped the waiter $100.
I know you all have some really cool stories. Let's hear them!