Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

FAST FACTS: FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVELER 49
consulates are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles,
New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Emergencies Call & 911 to report a fire, call the police, or get an ambulance
in Las Vegas. This is a toll-free call (no coins are required at public
telephones).
If you have a medical emergency that doesn’t require an ambulance, you
can walk into a hospital’s 24-hour emergency room (usually a separate
entrance). For a list of hospitals, see “Fast Facts: Las Vegas” in chapter 4.
If you encounter serious problems, contact Traveler’s Aid International
(& 202/546-1127; www.travelersaid.org) to help direct you to a local
branch. This nationwide, nonprofit, social-service organization geared to
helping travelers in difficult straits offers services that might include
reuniting families separated while traveling, providing food and/or shelter
to people stranded without cash, or even emotional counseling. If
you’re in trouble, seek them out. In Las Vegas there is an office at McCarran
International Airport (& 702/798-1742), which is open daily from
8am to 5pm. Similar services are provided by Help of Southern Nevada,
953 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 208, at Maryland Parkway in the Commercial
Center on the northeast corner (& 702/369-4357). Hours are Monday to
Friday from 8am to 4pm.
Gasoline (Petrol) Petrol is known as gasoline (or simply “gas”) in the
United States, and petrol stations are known as both gas stations and
service stations. Though prices were volatile and rising sharply throughout
the first half of 2003, gasoline costs significantly less here than it does
in Europe (about $2 per gallon in Vegas at press time), and taxes are
already included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or
.85 Imperial gallons.
Holidays Banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores, restaurants,
and museums are closed on the following legal national holidays:
January 1 (New Year’s Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther
King Jr. Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents’ Day, Washington’s
Birthday), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence
Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in
October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans Day/Armistice Day), the
fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25
(Christmas). Also, the Tuesday following the first Monday in November is
Election Day and is a federal government holiday in presidential-election
years (held every 4 years, next in 2004).
Legal Aid If you are “pulled over” for a minor infraction (such as speeding),
never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could
be construed as attempted bribery, a much more serious crime. Pay fines
by mail, or directly into the hands of the clerk of the court. If accused of
a more serious offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer.
Here the burden is on the state to prove a person’s guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt, and everyone has the right to remain silent, whether he
or she is suspected of a crime or actually arrested. Once arrested, a person
can make one telephone call to a party of his or her choice. Call your
embassy or consulate.