Every Day is a Shopping day In Vegas!

As I predicted, the old shoes that gave Claire blisters was by the bin this morning. In fact, her new flip flops were also by the bin until I complained but I guess they will be forgotten somewhere on the way anyway so my cause will be lost. I’m part of the “old school” that doesn’t like to throw anything away when it still works, but especially not things that are less than one day old.

Claire wanted another day shopping today so we packed up and drove to the outlet shops where there are about 150 designer outlet shops in an area that you can walk around, if you can find it. We followed the map and spotted “The World Market Center” but it soon became obvious that we were in the wrong place. The wind must be a northerly because it was so cold and we got back in the car to find the proper centre, with the heating on. When I say heating, the car has, “climate control” and you just set the temperature that you want and you get it wherever you are, hot or cold. I like this car the longer that I drive it but it really wants to be driven fast which I must refrain from because we don’t want any more tickets. We soon found the proper outlet centre and parked up there where we spent endless hours shopping. Not my favourite pastime but Claire found a cardigan that she is happy with. She didn’t however, find the thick tights that she also wanted to wear in the evenings. I find it hard to believe that in 150 top stores, they don’t sell thick tights but, believe me, I looked as well. Claire did find a nice leather jacket with an institched hoody that I really liked, that was reduced from $150 to $39 but she didn’t get it because the arms were too long and the body too tight. However, when we got home, she said that she wished that she had bough it and rolled the sleeves up. I really hope that we don’t have to go back to that place again. By the way, we still haven’t eaten any normal food since the Indian in Australia; the best that we could find today was a pizza slice.

We drove in the general direction back to the strip, which was made easier because we have booked into “Treasure Island” for 3 nights that is not far from the high tower where you do the drop from and it can be seen from almost anywhere. The traffic lights are horrendous here and you seem to spend most of your time waiting at them, but at least you get time to think where you will go at the next set. We turned into Treasure Island and got the Valet to park the car while we waited in line for an hour to check in. The room is lovely on the 11th floor but no fridge so we have to buy drinks from the bar at full price. You can get ice and cool drinks in the sink but its not ideal and there are no visible bottle shops on the strip; as they keep your car keys when you get her its not easy to drive anywhere during your stay.

Anyway we are here now and tried the buffet dinner which was very average and was hard work to find what was worth eating. Surprisingly, it was the local American food counter that seemed best with, corn bread, brisket, mashed potato, turkey and beef gravy that won it for us but there was much to try before we got there with little room left. I think that was the first time we have had decent food since Australia. We had a little play on the “pokies” or “slots”, according from where you are from and between us we lost about $2.47 so it wasn’t a disaster. Tomorrow we hope to try the Blackjack tables and maybe roulette. I have always fancied a go on the craps tables but have no idea how to play so maybe we need to ask in the bar in happy hour where you get two margaritas for $9.50 between 4pm and 6pm; wow, they give you a buzz. The second to last picture is from our balcony that sort of overlooks the strip, where they seem to have fireworks now and then. The last picture is inside the casino area where they have a funny bike that I guess is from a film that we haven’t seen yet. Now we are settled for a few days it should be easier to communicate so you should have better pictures and words tomorrow as Claire has promised to do the next one.