Winter Break - Atlantic City

 The urge to gamble is so universal and its practice is so pleasurable, that I assume it must be evil.  ~

I was still pondering the goal of vacationing in Australia when I got a wonderful call right in  the middle of a thaw. My Niece and Nephew in-law ( M&M) were leaving their  Florida Sunshine and Warmth to spend time in AC...They had a 2 bedroom suite reserved... would I like to join them? Yes! Thank you!  Got an extra 2 days off and made plans to join them for a long weekend. AC is about a 3 hour drive. Didn't want to do that. So looked around for a bus. Not hard to find in NYC.Found Megabus, got a schedule, made reservations, and let M & M know when I would be arriving.

The bus left from the Port Authority. This is a huge and complicated structure. Buses leave her continuously for all parts of the Country. It is multi level and 3 City blocks long.If one is not careful getting lost is not a hard thing to accomplish.....Naturally I had that pleasure...Totally turned around and in the wrong building. Since its a given that no one else had a clue where bus # 302 on level 3...er ..3and 1/2....So like any smart person, I got outside the building walked around to the front and got directions from the woman in the booth. I am convinced she know everything there is to know about that building and all the buses leaving. With her help the bus was found by me. I even had time to get a bottle of water before we left exactly on time...non stop ride, AC here I come!

As the schedule said 3 hours later I was in the parking lot at the Taj Mahal Hotel and saw  M &M were waving at me through the glass. One more thing happened before I got off..A representative from the Hotel/Casino welcomed all of us to AC by giving each of us a gift card that more than covered the round trip bus fare. That was a welcome surprise. More about that later.( Remember if you are in NY and want to go comfortably and FREE to AC, find  Megabus).Now I was happy to hug and get hugged by M&M and go into the hotel. Beautiful space bigger than my apartment back in Manhattan, great rooms, views of the Atlantic and the company of two people I really love. This is what I needed! We chilled for a few hours and caught up on lots of news. Then out into the Winter Sunshine.

A nice 2 hour long,  bracing walk on the windy and freezing Boardwalk including a run through the sand to touch the bitter cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and my being was totally refreshed and renewed. If this small but wonderful interlude helped me so much, what would a long Vacation do for me? Of course the fact that I was with people I love and who love me helped more than anything. But I wanted a different kind of get away....

I couldn't remember when I had taken more than 10 days off to vacation. Also it had been way too long since it was to a new place. Adventure! To feel free and just enjoy each day without any hindrance....ahhhhhhh.....think I must make this happen...How much time could I take off? How much money did I have? Where to go?Very important questions. Lots of things to look at and much decision needed.....and the deadline for vacations the second third of the year fast approaching.....Only thing I was sure of......It was going to be warm there.....No skying, Alaska, or Iceland or Greenland ( all places I want to go)..Not this time.

 Mean time in AC its after a lovely dinner at a local Italian Restaurant that folks at the front desk of the Hotel told us about. The recommendation? "We go there".  Great food,  little money and friendly helpful people both customer and workers alike." Atlantic City Italian! What nice homey and warm place. When in AC please drop in, you will be happy you did.

Now .....where is that Casino gift card? Got it! Taj here we come. Like a moth to a flame. The Taj Mahal is a big noisy place. Just what was wanted. I was at a slot that "felt" right after a quick walk around to "feel" the machines.  In went the card...less than 2 minutes later. Jackpot!..WOW!!...Now, do you know anyone that leaves a Casino in less than 5 minutes?..............Me neither!! Still don't. All I can add is that after several hours of great fun, winning, losing and much cheering by all that surrounded me I still left with much more money than what the card was worth!! The sounds, bells, smell of a casino cheered me up. My smile was intact and there was even laughter in my soul. Have to admit that I really like the vibe in a Casino..Doesn't even matter if I am playing or not. The air seems to be alive with hope, fun and the sounds of bells and laughter. Perhaps the fact that most of the times I have left a casino there was more cash in my pocket than there was on the way in may play a part? True statement!

The rest of the weekend was a delight and passed way to quickly. More boardwalk, some shopping, and lots of shared talk and laughter. I don't get to see M&M often enough, and always enjoy my time with them. Alas all too soon I was back on the bus, waving goodby and speeding towards Manhattan...On the way I pulled out my laptop and started to Google......:)

Just saw this and thought it appropriate to add...Enjoy!