Marlene Buckler, MD, FACEP

                                           MOTEL  6

    Here I am, on my 60^th birthday, at the Motel 6 on Tropicana Ave. in Las Vegas, enjoying a quiet early evening cocktail at poolside.

    This October day has been hot.  I landed in Vegas, from Sarasota, Fl. around 1:00 p.m. and, after checking into my room, went for a brisk walk along the strip.  Hot as Florida!

    Over the years, I have been to Vegas four times and have always stayed at one of the big hotels along the strip.  As anyone who has spent time in this extraordinary city knows each hotel is the epitome of luxury and extravagance.  There is no amenity imaginable that is not available to guests. One feels privileged and charmed to stay at any of these wondrous establishments.  I have often felt like a child, in awe of the spectacular buildings and their on-going attempts to out-do one other.

    Each time I visited Vegas in the past it had always been for only four or five days at a time and always to attend a conference.  Though I had managed to see much and had attended wonderful shows, I resolved, on the last visit two years ago, that I would one day return to Las Vegas just for fun, stay longer and explore everything there is to see.  No conference.

    I had recently become divorced after a long marriage.  Soon afterward I decided to take a one-year leave of absence from my job as an Emergency Room physician, to get a break from the stresses of the ER and to get my writing career launched.  If the writing pans out I just might stay on leave of absence permanently.

    My 60^th birthday was approaching and I felt I should do something memorable to mark the occasion.  My kids were all scattered, none in town to help me celebrate.  My best friend in Sarasota had to work and the birthday fell on a Tuesday.  I began to think of possible scenarios to ring in the big 6 0.  Perhaps a cruise.  I explored the options on the internet, but having just been on a cruise eight months previously I thought I'd forego that idea, especially with the thought of going it alone.  Cruises are more fun if someone you know and like will be on the ship with you.

    Then, about three weeks ago I called a friend in Nova Scotia to see if she and her husband were planning to visit Sarasota in October as they had the previous year.  "I don't think we'll make it in October," she said, "we'll be in Vegas."

    Vegas!  Did she say Vegas?  Yes, indeed, they were planning to fly to Vegas the day after my birthday.  I commented that I might consider joining them.  Irene was thrilled.  "Where are you staying?" I asked.  "At Motel 6." Came the reply.

    Motel 6 !!?

    Now, I don't mean to be a snob, but I was not even aware there was a Motel 6 near the Vegas strip.  I would never have thought to look for one. 

    Before becoming a doctor I hardly ever traveled.  Since becoming one I travel frequently and tend to stay at hotels with a reputation for a bit more luxury than Motel 6!

    So, what to do?

    I decided that since I would be going to Vegas to have fun with my friends, as well as to mark a milestone in my life, the decent thing would be to forego extra pampering and stay at the same hotel as they.  After all, my reasons for going to Vegas did not include spending much time in a hotel room.  Also, since being on a leave of absence really means being on a leave of income I could see how Motel 6 would fit nicely into my current financial budget.

    I have been known to be frugal over the years, especially while raising four children and before becoming a doctor.  Well, I am tending toward frugality again, now, as I age.  I have even taken to investing a goodly amount of my assets in Birkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffet's holding company.  Let's face it, Buffett is not only the guru of the stock market, but, in my opinion, is the epitome of frugality.

    So here I am at the Motel 6, celebrating my 60^th and awaiting the arrival of my friends tomorrow.  My room is clean and comfortable and overlooks a beautiful pool.  The hotel staff and guests are friendly and the environment is quiet and peaceful. There is no loud music or drunken fools gambling and staggering around, yet all the sights and excitement of the strip are close at hand.  The room rates are very reasonable, and morning coffee is free and unlimited, leaving me more money to enjoy all that Vegas has to offer.

    Motel 6.  A nice little place to stay.

    Warren would be proud!

Marlene Buckler,MD, FACEP          www.StayOutOfMyER.com