A Tuesday in July at 6:28 am (Part 2)

On my second day out on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, I headed down towards the Claridge Hotel and Brighten Park. As seen in the picture. The Claridge was once a Hotel/Casino from 1981 to 2014. Since 2014 the Claridge operates as a hotel.
Brighten Park which is adjacent to the hotel sits right off the Boardwalk. This park is home to the Korean War Veterans Memorial which was decicated in July of 2000. Sadly, as I was admiring the wall and statues, about six or seven people were shooting up on the concrete steps. Horrible to see & witness. These were a mix of older & younger people. Some men & woman. They looked homeless except for two that didn't.  As I watched from the distance, they were sharing needles, sprawled out on the steps. They weren't discreet about it at all. I decided to leave the park at this point.
Hobo's and Atlantic City go hand and hand. I mean I understand if you want to try & make some money. Go where there will be people spending lots of it. Through the years of coming across many homeless people, you have an idea who's really in need of cash and who isn't.

As I was nearing the Tropicana Hotel/Casino a young white guy was asking many people entering & exiting the casino if they had any money. As I got closer, this guy was asking people for money so he can buy a ticket back to his hometown of Philadelphia. He was dressed quite preppy. Some college football baseball cap, a button down shirt, a nice pair of shorts and sandals.  He had a backpack and should have taken his watch off. I couldn't make out what kind of watch it was but it looked really expensive.

I was next. He was coming towards me. He had a pair of sunglasses on. He goes, "Guy do you have anything? I'm trying to get back to my hometown of Philadelphia." I said, "Sorry dude, can't help you today." Even if I wanted to help him, when I go out, I don't carry any wallet or money. He goes, "Ok man, god bless." This guy was a fake. He wasn't poor. He wasn't living under the Boardwalk. People like this are real bottom feeders.

Later that night I was gambling at the Hard Rock Casino. I tried my luck at Blackjack. As I approached the table, there he was! Different clothes but he had the same hat on. I can also tell it was him by his demeanor & his facial expressions. He was with some girl who was pretty damn attractive. As he looked up, I waved to him. He didn't flinch or think to run the other way. He just sat there and ignored me.  So there you go. This prick was probably begging for money to use for gambling. Maybe he has an addiction with gambling. Who knows. All I know is, to see him 13 hours later in a casino on the other end of the Boardwalk was a surprise.

If I have anything on me when I'm leaving a casino and a homeless person comes towards me, I'll ask them if they're hungry. If they are, then I'll take them to the nearest deli or pizza joint and I will buy them something but I'm not giving them one cent. Many through the years would get money from someone and go to the liquor store, or buy cigarettes or drugs.  I'm not satisfying their addictions.

I've been to this city about 100 times since I was a kid. My parents are gamblers (not extreme gamblers) but they would go about 12 times a year back in the 1980's- 2010's. I've seen many changes to this city since I was a kid. Especially since the 2010's. Why do I come back over & over again. Well it's an easy get away for me, I enjoy gambling, the ocean, amusements, great restaurants, a large and rich history & the people.

When unique people touch our lives,
then suddenly we see
How wonderful & beautiful,
our world can really be