Hotel Housekeeping Can Negate Conservation
Although they mention conserving water and have CFLs in the room at the Residence Inn Convention Center stay, housekeeping ran the dishwasher with the coffee pot, one cup and one spoon in it. That just killed any positive conservation I had going for my stay. During the five night stay, I kept the "No Service" tag on my door all but this one day in the middle. I should have kept it on the door the whole time. I can use the provided towels and re-use bedding like I do at home for a few days.
Labels: environment, travel
Customer Service from the top
I like to hold companies to the fire for service that I receive. I write letters to companies ofteny about (perhaps) petty things but they can make a difference. Sometimes I get a response, but mostly I just get ignored or a canned reply. There are so many brands of all kinds of businesses that I won't support. Yet sadly, many times, it comes down to one employee or management of a location that can ruin an entire brand in someone's eye.
I do feel it's all in the management style to lead and motivate people (and of course the abysmal pay gap between top and bottom in America today). It's all in the smile and a do the right thing attitude. I live close enough to Las Vegas to spend a lot of time there. I can be at the
MGM Mirage companies and everyone smiles and says good morning. Or I can be at the Venetian or the
Mandalay Bay (before MGM bought it) where all the staff makes me feel like I just ran over their dog. I couldn't afford to buy a smile at those places. That all comes from the leadership. I get bugged all the time in my industry because I give stuff away. "Why do you give that away? Charge for it. Don't leave money on the table for someone else." I just want to help and do what is right. Everything falls in line after that.
I once went to an Applebees restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico and they wouldn't seat me because I was a lone diner. They didn't say that in so many words. But there were tables and I watched for 15 minutes as other couples and groups were seated before me. They just kept telling me "a few minutes." I contacted management about it and the reply was a "thank you for dining at Applebees. We hope to see you again." Was that a canned reply? I think so. But maybe not. Maybe they just want to see me again. They don't want to let me eat. Just "see" me standing inside their door again.
I've had plenty of good experiences at other Applebees locations. I even ate at this one before with fine service. This isolated instance was probably a staff person wanting bigger tips and didn't care about single business man.
Labels: business good, travel
Tuweep or not to Toroweap
I just got back from the Tuweep (Toroweap) area in the Grand Canyon. It may be the most amazing place I've been in the world. It is a timeless and remote place. I spent part of three days there and saw two other people. Restricted airspace even keeps you from seeing and hearing airplanes and the chemtrails they would normally leave in the sky. The silence is noticeable upon arrival.
No radios, no phones, no water and you are three hours from anyone. That is a rare feeling in todays world. We come and go on this Earth and this place is here watching silently. Mankinds dams have altered the Colorado River for now but someday those dams will inevitably fail, humans will be gone and nature will take over command of it's ever changing process once again. Is mankind just a mosquito sucking fluid from the Earth's body? When will Mother Earth find her fly swatter?
The overlook gives you the longest view of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. A sheer 3,000 foot drop calls to you. You have to look down but be wary of the gusts of wind that can come up rapidly from a dead calm. Are they spirits from nearby indian lands or souls of those lost in the waters below? To the west, you can view Lava Falls. This is the strongest of all rapids in the Grand Canyon and has submerged many boats over the years.
This is the farthest down into the Grand Canyon that you can drive. It is on the north rim side and very remote. A 60 mile/three hour drive on rough roads is required to access it. The last 6 miles take nearly an hour to drive carefully over slick rock and climb. A four wheel drive is not required at all times but I would recommend it just in case. High clearance is definitely necessary and if the weather turned at all, the 4WD would be required.
Labels: spirit, travel
