The Vegas thing, of course, meant casinos. Lots of them! Having taken some advice from a few people at the hostel a few of us had headed down The Strip to register with a casino or two in order to get some vouchers to play the slots for free. Whilst this is a brilliant initial idea it can wear a bit thin when you realise just what you have to go through to get any money back. Basically you have to hit the jackpot on one of the machines designed for this free play stuff. Anything less than the JP and its a case of playing on. One guy in there had several thousand dollars in the bank that he couldn't get at because he didn't actually win the jackpot! Me? I flitted mine away in about 20 minutes.
I did manage to get a free Harrahs t-shirt and a free pic of me with one of the Showgirls out of it before succumbing to put some of my own money into the machines. We'd decided between us that we would all play the penny slots and take advantage of the famous Vegas hospitality, otherwise known as free drinks! Whether its a beer or a cocktail or anything in between, a small tip would secure one for you. And another and another. Playing those penny slots and drinking all sorts you quickly lose touch of the outside world . It could have been any time of the day or night and it wouldn't have made a difference. Stepping back outside into the 115 degree heat reality hits you as does the concept of escaping to the nearest air conditioned room you can find. Oh look, another casino!
As you walk along The Strip you are greeted by something impressive at every corner, at every step. Whether its the hugely impressive Fountains at the Bellagio, Ceasers Palace, New York New York or any one of the multitudinous elaborate gambling dens you cant fail to be impressed! In reality there are just so many of these places ta ht its nearly impossible to take them all in. Entering the MGM Grand, I felt like I was in Oceans 11 for a brief moment or 2. Outside Ceasers Palace I recalled scenes from countless boxing matches.
Inside the casinos though its different. I'd bounded between numerous ones in a day long adventure and in the end you realise that really, they're all the same. The elaborateness of the building is best seen from the exterior. The interiors all just blend into one in the end. Machine after machine after machine, players from all over and waitresses serving up those free drinks in the hope that with a big win, the tip might just be bigger than a buck or two.
I had decided that I couldn't come to Vegas without having a proper gamble though. So the penny slots behind me I withdrew about $80 and set out to play Blackjack. Win or lose it wasn't really what this was all about. I was in Vegas and I was playing blackjack, the romance of that notion was enough for me! Cheap tables are few and far between here and it wasn't long before I had to step up in minimum bet. I lost, of course, but as I gambled deep into the early hours of the morning I knew I was realising a little dream of mine. It had its price but I wouldn't change it!
In Vegas everything has to be impressive. It wouldn't be Vegas if it wasn't. Outside of the gambling its the shows that are one of the biggest draws. These things can be extraordinarily expensive and with no inclination to pay $60 to watch Celine Dion a group of us settled to watch what is widely regarded as the best of the free shows, at the Treasure Island Casino.
Have no doubt that just because its free it means its not worth seeing. It is, and then some! It may last just the half hour and you may be packed around the action like sardines but its worth the effort to see this daily show!
I left Vegas feeling I'd done it proud! Late nights, slots, drinks, shows and, of course a bit of blackjack! I may not have seen every casino on the Strip but I'd seen my fair share and in truth I felt like I'd seen what I wanted to see. I'd had a blast for a few days but any more would probably have been overkill. Hey, it's dead in here anyway!
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