6 June 2013

USA West coast road trip - Part 5 - Las Vegas


Day 9

I didn't care about going to Vegas but it was a good stop for the week-end before another week filled with sightseeing. The girls were keen on seeing the famous city build in the desert. It's true that going from full sand to full concrete is visiually impressive even though technically logical. 
Day light is not a good time to reach (or be in) Vegas. Everything's cramped, desorganised, even the beautiful Eiffel Tower looks like a fake kid's toy. As we drove in, I started to think my intuition was right.
The girls wanted to taste the "real" Vegas and had booked a famous hotel on the Strand. Again, I wasn't bothered. I thought (and was proved) it was a waste of money but I could afford it and they really wanted it so I didn't go against it.
At 1pm, we parked in front of the Mirage. A flat tower from the 60s dressed with a shiny gold ruban. We were tired and wanted to enjoy the evening life so we decided to take a short nap. 
Once alive and kicking, we bought sliced pizza and went to see the pirate show of Treasure Island and water show at the Bellagio, both entertaining. The girls were keen on seeing the Thunder from Down Under show. I told them they go could and I would be happy to wait for them in a bar as serioulsy, whats the point in seeing naked guys if you can't play with them?! They tried to convince me, gave up and we all went to the Jimmy Buffet's bar. Caroline left early but Ju and I stayed til closure. It was fun but not the party I was expecting. I had crazier nights in my local in London...

Day 10
We go down to the Casino so that Julie can burn 10 dollars in 20 secondes. I am not a gambler (you can see by now why Vegas is not for me) but was impressed by all the kind of people who were sitting around us hoping to gain a few bucks. 



I headed back to the bedroom where I was hiding most of the day. Caroline had gone for a shopping trip (which turned out like hell) and Julie wanted to try the swimming pool (in which you can't swim). I saw my non interest for the city as a good thing: I could charge up my battery for the coming week. When they both come back, Gregory arrives (he's a friend of Julie and our future host in LA). We all go for a walk around town then to the Venitian which italian interior is actually impressive, making it my favourite hotel on the Strand. 
After diner we take the tram from the Mirage to the Treasure Island and head to Gilley's saloon. I'm keen on trying the rodeo but I'm not wearing a mini-skirt and a string which seem to be the fashion for the girl who are testing it so I decide against it. The girls again, are really keen, and I again, am the party killer. But we still hit the dance floor and have a few drinks to save our honor and show to the local (if any) population that you can be shy on a bull and fun on a mule (oh come on give me credit for the rime!).

Day 11
Jumping in the tram again we taste a disgusting breakfast at the Treasure Island's restaurant. The gambles are already up, sport is on. We enjoy a breakfast filled with shouting, swearing and highly annoying machine noises. 
Another walk in a hotel, another expensive drink. We finally escape from the maze like casinos where exit sign and night do not exist, the noise of coins dropping and the view of half-naked female dancing on tables. Time to hit the road.
Saying that I'm happy to be back in the desert is an understatement. And I don't even know yet, the beauties we're about the see. 

To be continued...