I woke up around 10 am with plans to visit the Strip today. As I glanced around the dorm, I noticed some faces missing and new ones taking their place. Sean was nowhere to be found, replaced by a new arrival perched on his bunk bed. This gentleman, an older Indian named Som (pronounced as Zoom), struck up a polite conversation with me.
Introducing Som to the Wonders of Las Vegas
I extended an invitation for him to join me on my trip to the Strip. To my surprise, Som seemed astonished to learn that there was more to Las Vegas than just the Fremont Street Experience! I couldn’t help but chuckle at his revelation and asked if he had never seen a movie or heard about the city’s other attractions. “Oh, you’re in for a treat,” I assured him.
We agreed to head out in two hours. I wanted to grab breakfast and take some time to relax, maybe jot down a few notes. Som was content with the plan; he also wanted to unwind a bit more. Given that he had just arrived and had only one day here, he planned to catch a flight to San Francisco around 4 pm.
Thus, I took the next couple of hours to unwind, enjoying breakfast and catching up on some work on my laptop. I spent some time planning and contemplating my options. One thing I was considering was booking tours to visit some National Parks, but as I delved into it, I realized they came with a hefty price tag.
Conversations on Gambling and Travel Adventures
After two hours, I returned to the dorm and roused Som from his slumber. Another guy was there, named Youl (I hope I’m spelling it correctly). Youl hailed from South Korea and was here for one reason: gambling. This marked his second visit to Las Vegas. We engaged in conversation about gambling. Youl’s presence in Vegas was tied to EDC, but not to join the party scene at the festival. Instead, he aimed to meet fellow enthusiasts at the poker table. He shared insights from the professional poker world, explaining how seasoned players referred to casual gamblers as “fishes.” These individuals, according to Youl, would come to Vegas, dabble in poker, but lacked the skill and experience of seasoned players. Many in the poker community recognized them as easy targets, knowing they were prone to parting ways with their money at the casino tables.
I invited Youl to join us, and he accepted the offer. Som, on the other hand, was on an extensive journey across America. Hailing from India, he worked for a travel company back home and had interacted with numerous American travelers during his employment. His role involved guiding these visitors throughout India. Thanks to his company’s generosity, Som now had the chance to explore the United States and reconnect with some of the travelers he had met. However, his time in Las Vegas was limited, as he planned to depart for San Francisco the following morning, leaving him with just one day to experience the sights and sounds of Sin City.
Towards the Strip with Deuce Bus
After some final preparations, we embarked on our journey towards the Strip. Youl, being well-versed in local transportation, acquainted us with the ‘Deuce bus’, a specialized service connecting the Fremont Street Experience to the southernmost end of the Strip. We purchased our tickets from the vending machine and boarded the bus. Opting for a 3-day pass, I paid $20, and soon after, the bus departed. With the Bellagio Fountains as my primary destination, we alighted at the Bellagio bus stop.
The Fountains of Bellagio
We navigated across the street and reached our destination. As we stepped onto the central outlook platform, the captivating show commenced. The fountain, synchronized with classical music, performed its mesmerizing routine every 15 minutes. Entranced by the spectacle, I snapped a series of photographs, capturing the moment to the best of my ability.
A Game of Blackjack and Roulette
Following the show, we proceeded to a nearby casino, where I was enthusiastic about teaching Som how to play blackjack. Opting for Planet Hollywood, one of the prominent casinos, we unwittingly chose the wrong table, resulting in an immediate loss of 5 dollars. Despite our assumption that it was a blackjack table, it turned out otherwise, and the dealer remained silent on the matter.
After struggling to find blackjack tables with a suitable minimum, I discovered that the stakes were higher than I preferred, set at $10 per game instead of the desired $5. Opting for an alternative, we decided to try our luck at roulette. With its straightforward rules, Som quickly grasped the game and joined in. Unfortunately, I swiftly depleted my funds by betting on red and black, resulting in a loss of $30. Determined to try my hand at blackjack, I reserved the remaining money for that purpose. While Som experienced mixed results, ultimately losing all his funds, he took it in stride, viewing the gambling experience as a novelty.
Youl suggested that the casinos further north on the Strip often offered lower minimums for blackjack. Intrigued by the prospect, we opted to stroll in that direction.
Finally a Cheap Game of Blackjack
The heat inside the casinos was unbearable, relentlessly beating down on us. I loathed it with every fiber of my being. Thankfully, we sought refuge in every casino we passed along the boulevard. The air conditioning provided a welcome respite, offering much-needed relief from the scorching heat. After stepping into the second casino, as we crossed the Paris area to the next block, Youl spotted a poker area and decided to try his luck there. With a farewell, it was just Som and me once again.
After some searching, we managed to find a blackjack table with a $5 minimum bet. I had a mix of wins and losses, but ultimately ended up losing. All the money I had won the day before vanished. To make matters worse, I realized I had left my debit card behind, leaving me unable to withdraw more cash. With just $12 left for food, I had no choice but to call it a day and head back to the hostel. It was frustrating to have to cut short my exploration of the Strip because of this oversight.
Lunch Time
I suggested Subway to Som, and he agreed. We located one nearby and grabbed a quick bite to eat. During our meal, Som shared that he hailed from New Delhi, where he was married and had a child. Though I can’t recall his exact age, I believe he was around 35. Som was incredibly courteous and pleasant to converse with. He expressed his enjoyment of traveling across the United States, and we engaged in discussions about the importance of experiencing different cultures and exploring the world. Our conversation also touched on American customs and lifestyles, which provided some insightful and enjoyable moments.
Underestimating the Intense Heat
After finishing our meal, we stepped outside to locate the bus stop for our return to the hostel. The scorching heat was relentless, sapping my energy with each passing moment. As we approached the Venice area, I began feeling increasingly unwell and urgently needed to use the restroom. We stumbled upon a luxurious mall adorned with renowned brands like Rolex, Gucci, and Armani, which offered a welcome respite from the heat. After using the facilities and regaining my composure, we ventured back outside to find the bus stop, which fortunately was nearby. Seeking refuge in any available shade, I lamented my underestimation of the intense heat and cursed my lack of preparation.
Feeling unwell, we boarded the bus back to the hostel, enduring discomfort throughout the 45-minute journey. Upon arrival, I collapsed onto my bed, overwhelmed by the debilitating effects of the intense sun. Recognizing the symptoms of heatstroke, I prioritized rest and hydration, drinking copious amounts of water to alleviate my condition. Surprisingly, the onset of illness occurred after consuming a substantial drink at Subway, leaving me perplexed by the timing of the ordeal.
Another Visit to Fremont Street
In the evening, I returned to the Fremont Street Experience accompanied by Som. I indulged in more gambling, this time at a different casino from the one where I had won $95 the day before. The evening started off well, but Som eventually left to explore the Strip at night, leaving me to continue on my own. Despite enjoying the drinks and engaging conversations with a pleasant family, our luck took a turn for the worse as the night progressed. I experienced a series of losses, ultimately resulting in a total loss of $60 over the two days of casino visits. Nevertheless, I had mentally prepared myself before coming to Las Vegas, setting a limit of $100 for casino spending, so I was within my planned budget.
Once again, I retired to bed late, around 4 am, resolving not to gamble anymore. However, I would soon break that promise the following day, embarking on a foolish day filled with risky gambling ventures. As I reflect on this experience, I realize it’s a tale worth sharing, as they say: “What happens in Vegas, appears on splintersparadise.com!”
