Vegas Pt1

I've arrived in Vegas safe and sound. It was a long day travelling especially considering I played the Jackpot the night before leaving. I'm still glad I went in for a spin though as all the regs were in and I got a lot of well wishes which was pleasent. People seemed genuinely excited and hopeful of my adventure which was nice. I assumed I would sleep on the plane but was incapable which left me quite tired by the time I arrived in LA. The woman next to me seemed all set for a chat for the entire journey but as the feeling was far from mutual I ended up being quite short and probably rude with her. One word answers ftw. Had the usual crappy airplane food. The pretzels are pretty much the highlight of the journey as the meals are border-line eatable. The journey was 11 hours total before I arrived in LA.

Travelling through Los Angeles airport I was greeted by two seperate Americans who seemed eager to help me out and direct me to my connecting flight. Both told me I was a "good guy", both shook my hand yet both then asked me for money for their respective charities. Welcome to the USA. The airport itself was jam-packed with Chinese people. The surfer dudes were nowhere to be found and who would have thought that the only lasting memory I would have of LA was flushdraws and gutshots.

I gobbled down a McDonalds in the airport, the first I have eaten since my previous visit to LAX airport. I now remember why I haven't eaten it since. Such crap. The flight to Las Vegas is always a more enjoyable one than the first. Mainly because its tens times quicker but also because you get a good view of Los Angeles/the desert/Las Vegas en route. One woman fainted at the back of the plane just before the flight landed. She was treated quickly, carefully and confidentially by the United Airlines crew who screamed down the intercom. "Medical assistance needed immediately at the back of the plane". One Irish and 111 Chinese faces staring down the back of the plane at the woman in distress. Lovely.

Landed in Vegas and arrived in the amusement/theme park that is Las Vegas airport. It was quicker to find a slot club membership than a baggage re-claim. I had to get a tram in order to collect my bags. Naturally while waiting for the luas thingy I played some jungle rumble slots. Welcome to Vegas.

The baggage re-claim was particularly entertaining. Unbeknownstome my bag had actually passed by me around 15 times before I decided to turn over the "bag that looked like my bag upside down" bag which turned out to in fact be my bag. Elsewhere a small Chinese man who looked a bit like Kenny Ho was having trouble with the carousel. To be frank, I think he could have positioned his head better while he observed the passing bags. Staring straight ahead is -EV as by the time your eyes realise that it is your bag, the bag has gone someway left. Alas his strategy was found out when he was left clutching the wheels (easily the most ungrabbable part) of his case as it went further and further left dragging the other bags, the people to his left and himself along with it.

Got to the Gold Coast fine, $14 in a taxi incl tip. At check-in I tried the oul $20 "please upgrade my room" tip as the woman checked me in. This is where you squeeze $20 into your passport (which you need to produce upon check-in for i.d. purposes) and ask for a complimentary upgrade. It has a surprisingly high success rate and I have not lost faith. If they can't help you out they give you the $20 back so I shall be gambling again in the RIO in 10 days time.

Speaking of which I ventured over to that very Casino last night. It was as I expected it to be. Over-crowded, over commercialised and in general over the top. I doubt I will be in there much other than the Main Event, not my scene at all. Bumped into Jen and the rest of the Blonde crew over there. It's Dana's birthday tonight and they're all going out so I'll be making an appearance at that.

Back at the Gold Coast now typing this up. I must say I am very happy with this hotel. I was kind of expecting it to be a dump but it's far from it. Very comfortable little spot, dare I say superior to the RIO which is about three times the price. It has a cheap shop/off-licence and plenty of restaurants serving stuff-that-I-recognise-so-I'll-be-able-to-eat-it food. There is however a considerable amount of old people and it is hard not to notice that the entertainment hall (which seems to have a Butlins type theme where singing/waving your hands from side side to side is encouraged) is located right apposite the bingo hall.

Not much else to report, had to catch up on some sleep when I arrived obv so haven't been up to much. Played a bit of craps/slots for the last hour or so which was fun. Lost on slots, won on craps. Looking forward to blowing most of my money in such games this trip. Only kidding, all things in moderation etc etc.

More trip reporting laterz.