Vegas

Ok, my first impression of Vegas is not favorable. Perhaps I came to Vegas too late after I hd already started my life as an International Gambler, and was therefore was spolied for Vegas.

I first gambled in Natchez, Mississippi on the Isle of Capri River boat. The Vol-in-Law had to drag me down the jetty. Perhaps more of attending my grandfather's Church of Christ stuck than I thought, but I was convinced that the maw of hell was going to open up right there on the Mississippi and swallow me up. But we walked out a buck fifty ahead and I was hooked.

Since then I've gambled in Helsinki at the only casino in Finland (local Finns strongly warned us against it saying it was full of Russian mafia, which it was), in Sinaia, Romania (flourescent lighting, dire, we lost) and Budapest with my brother, and in Prague where I cleared enough to buy me and the Texan a round of 30 cent beers. (This appeared to be an unusual occurrence sine the attendant/ bartender struggled to cash us out). And in Tunica, Mississippi. So yes, I'm an international gambler, having wagered small stakes in Mississippi and the eastern fringes of Europe.

In all these places, winning or losing, I never had to queue more than three minutes. Vegas is the land of waiting and queuing it appears. We queued to check in, we walked past 5 or 6 queues seeking lunch, we queued at the player's clubs, we queued at the cage. See this is not my idea of fun, I can queue in London.

We did have a couple of successes. The Vol-in-Law wanted to see Celine Dion, and although people had been queuing since the morning for returns for last night's show he got a single ticket for the 1st of Jan (when we'll be back in Vegas). We also walked right into the night club in Treasure Island for a good view of the pirate show. (Much writhing about on the riggings and pyrotechnics).

The biggest disappointment was that they charge 20 bucks each to go to the gym. I have never had to pay extra to use a treadmill at a hotel. I was so appalled I complained, to no use. However, we did swim in the outdoor pool, which yes was cold, but we felt better for it after the excesses of Christmas.