38 - Sunday, December 16, 1990 - North Shore News

TRAVEL
Time-tested

tips for

enjoying Reno

I KNOW it’s foolish to be
heading for Reno just be-
fore Christmas but the devil
made me do it. The package
price was attractive ($269),
and I like the hotel, the
Eldorado.

Reno has the advantage of be-
ing cheap to live in. Of course
there are many expensive restau-
rants if you want to dine in style
but you can get a good basic meal
with huge servings at any casino
for between 54-$6. No one needs
to spend any more than $2 for
breakfast (99¢ at the Cal-Neva).

Te lure Canadians, more casi-
nos are offering attractive ex-
change rates —- 10 per cent — I'll
tun a test and report back, but the
two you can always count on are
Cal-Neva and the Eldorado.

This time of year, the weather
can be quite brisk in Reno; it’s
below zero at night, so we may
not wander around as much.
Also, with two women travelling,
we tend to stick close to our home
base after dark. ;

Reno used to be one of the
safest cities in the world and [’d
never think twice about abandon-
ing Brian at the table and walking
home by myself, even in the mid-
die of the night. I wouldn’t do
that today.

One hint about travelling with a
friend that I’ve found very effec-
tive is about sharing expenses. We
take along an old wallet, the
‘*plastic kitty."’ Both of us ante
$100 into the wallet and from it
we pay cabs, meals, bar bills and
tips. It makes everything so sim-
ple.

One disappointment for my
friend was, the last time we went
to Reno, her first visit, when we
went to see the stage show at Bal-
ly’s. It was a mega production
with a whole jet aircraft on the
stage and quite an array of cast
and costumes. Was it called ‘Hello
Hollywood'?

I’m serry to report that it’s
closed out. It was one of the at-
tractions my friend was looking
forward tc.

Planning to head for Palm Spr-
ings this winter? The good news is
that you can call toll-free to their
visitors bureau, Monday-Friday, 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. In the near future,
if not already in place, the lines
will be open seven days a week.
1-800-34-SPRINGS is the number.

It’s particularly handy for those
who want to hop in the car, spur
of the moment, and run for the
sun. Mind you, December is not
the ideal month to choose. If
Palm Springs is ever going to have
poor weather, it’s now. I’ve only
been to Palin Springs once and it
was December.

Not only was ii cold but the
wind was fierce, uprooting trees,
trashing Christmas decorations
and keeping the golfers home in
droves. It might be a good idea to
give them a cal! and ask what's
happening before you head south.

1 received an interesting port-
folio in the mail from a company
called John Ingle Travel tn-
surance, The company is based in
Toronto but the letter mentions a
Vancouver representative and a
toll-free number to call for infor-
mation: 3-800-663-9710 or 1-800-
387-4770. °

Barbara
WicCreadie

Soe NS ‘

TRAVELWIS

What caught my atteniion were
the numerous information pam-
phlets in the portfolio which are
available to clients. These are par-
ticularly valuable to those heading
for exotic destinations where they
can run into hazards they are un-
prepared for.

For example, one pamphlet is
entitled What's Wrong With
Walking Barefoot in the Tropics?

Aside from the obvious hazards
of broken glass and beer can tops,
the problem is parasites.

These don’: need to enter your
skin through a cut but can burrow
into normal skin. Also, fresh
water can be contaminated with
parasites and a simple dip in a
lake or river can leave your skin
with a serious infection.

I’m not going to list all the
various forms of infections you
can pick up but if you’re heading
for a tropical area, get smart and
get all the information you can.

Another good source of infor-
mation is IAMAT (International
Association for Medical
Assistance for Travellers).
Membership is free (donations
appreciated) and they will send
you tons of information on every
facet of medical protection and
awareness. They’re at 1287 St.
Clair Ave. West in Toronto M6E
1B8.

I've found the maps this
organization provides are excellent
and very derailed.

Another important point is that
if you should become ill after you
return heme from any exotic des-
tination tell your doctor where
you've been.

I’ve heard horror stories about
infections developing months
afterwards and the patients being
treated for ail the wrong things.

Don’t think it can’t happen
close to home. A daughter of a
friend of mine right here in North
Vancouver returned from a recent
visit to Mexico, She became ill
and was hospitalized at Lions
Gate, then transferred to VGH.
Weeks of tests followed and the
poor kid is still not cured. Worse,
they don’t even know what she’s
gat.

After reading some of this
stuff, Reno sounds like a preity
tame destination,

a

your move.

w)

PARTE. 4) J

SG

‘Make.

ivo Senovsky and Mike Rusko are the September All-
Star winners of Nintendo Game Boys. Congratulations!

We aye pleased to announce 12 All Star winners of AXA
tape certificates valued af, $12.99.

Andre Charland
Simon Wilkins
Lisa Malin
Loren Bradfield
Misha Gallagher
Paul Morris

Lindsay Clerkson
Emily Smethurst
Matt Koiar

Fay Slater

Nikola Girke

D. Hejcman

28 Ali Star Carriers will receive North Shore News
bzsebail hats.

Meagan McCormack
Jack London ,
V. Hejcman

Tyler Hepple

Cory Dunn

Tony Grout

Andrea MckKeller
Laura Reid

Byron Gelin

Janet Lenko

Rachel Poh

Garrett Ainsworth

Martin Fisk
Carmen Mcintyre
Katrina Brubacher
Paul Mcintyre
Barbara Mcintyre
Meredith Bero
Stephen Hotzak
Morgan Klachetsky
Matthew Gloumeau
Soheila Amindoien
Caren Teveschak
Fay Slater

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