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So, this is gonna be real quick as it is only a rundown of our night out.
All three couples met promtly (ish) outside the casino, but wasting no time with fussy introductions, we went straight into Ricks, a nice but relaxed place that did all-you-can-eat BBQ etc. Which everyone did, apart from me. I just ate steak. And just steak!
Wine and beer was flowing and the conversation was good. Everyone was very interested in me and Kim's wedding and the religious 'situation' in the North. The wedding feels like ages ago, but also that we haven't really got into married life yet as we have been so busy bein gypsies.
It was a surreal experience tho. One one side it was good to hear the old Dublin accent and chat about GAA for a bit, but on the other I was making arrangements to help Andy do some maintenance on his boat in Glasgow before sailing up the west cost for camping and Whiskey - Yet another hobby and reason for inventing an extra day in the week!
Its crazy that so many people from different ends of the spectrum can get along over a beer. And there were a few of them! After dinner Vicky showed us a picture of a drink she had in a nearby bar the day before, and I had to have one! A beer, that was 750ml big! Like a pint and a half, just the right amount I feel.
We clambered across the road and filled up on the stuff - see pic above. Thou dont let Zoe's (girl in front right) fool you. She only had a small beer and help it closer to the camera. Inventive, but still cheating.
After arguing over rugby and who would win the Six Nations we touched on relationships again, and found it difficult to work out as Adam and Vicky (the Dubs) were actually just mates who grew up on the same street and not romantically involved, and Andy and Zoe were 'taking it easy' I think!?! I was on my second big pint (for Kimbo and Damo it was like the scene from Lord of the Rings where the Hobbits get pints at the Prancing Pony!) and was starting to get happy.
Andy and Zoe left for an early start. And we went in the direction of the Casino to win back our budgets and stay gypsies for a few months more!!!
Before we got there Vicky had had enough (factually she had too much, but I'm being kind) and went to the hostel. Me, Kim and Adam went gambling.
Actually, we went and got more drink. Then I went for cash. Then we gambled. Bad idea, I hear you say? But no. Kim stayed at the bar (and did her falling asleep impression!) and me and Adam played like high rollers.
I would like to tell you I was akin to James Bond, daperly floating about, drinking sophisticated Martinis, betting big and winning bigger.
Instead it was probably (as by this stage someone had turned the lights down real low and everything got hazy) more like a wee pasty gringo staggerring about not really knowing himself or what he was doing.
But I had the trump card!
Ya see, you would expect me to do silly things and loose lots of money, but I is wilier than the fox!
After winning and loosing about 140 pesos (about 20 quid all-in) at Blackjack - a game I learned about how to give lots of your money to a nice lady behind the cards on Rettie's Stag do, I tried Roulette - a game I learned where you give ALL your money to a nice lady behind a wheel, at Rettie's Stag do.
I was confused when said nice lady kept giving me my money back, but Adam was allowed to play on. Anyway, I since took my leave at the indignation, picked up Kim en route to the door. To be fair it was 4am, the placed closed in 15min and I had had enough. Or too much, depending on perpective. Which was all burry at the time.
Meeting Adam the next day before me and Kim left for the next town, several things came clear.
1 - I was not allowed to play because apparently my money was not good enough. My 5peso stake was only 25% of the 20peso minimum. I say I was wiley like the ofx, others may think I'd spent too long in Scotland.
2 - While the hangover was horrible, we did not have the worst night, or felt the worst.
Apparently, after I walked Vicky to her Hostel just down the street from the Casino she gave me her wallet to give to Adam for the keys. I duly did this. Unfortunately, this actually left Vicky without any keys, thus locking herself out. Now, she hadn't become fluent in the Spanish language since Maddy left (or any other language by this stage) so could not explain to the doormen of the casino she needed in to get her keys. And the doormen were not letting her in without the 5peso fee that she couldn't pay as it was in her wallet, in Adams' pocket. In the casino.
She had to go back and sleep in the lobby until Adam returned at 4.30 to find her and another couple who had just finished the same big W-Trek as us but had to come from further away, not getting in till 2am!
Thinking back, I could've got Kim to give the sleeping impression lessons, maybe that can be a new venture of mine!?! Hmmm, I wonder.
Anyway, a great night was had by all. The price we paid in hangover was very high, even if the peso count was not that great. But it was needed and a perfect break before our next venture. El Chalten!
- comments
Breige Hi guys, you bunch of drunks.....hey, let me know about the sleeping impression Kim I could use it sometime. Glad you didn't loose your shorts at the casino, (your money). They know who the drunks are and boy do they take advantage.. You'd a been going through withdrawls, if you had no shillings to get a drink!! Sounds like you are having a great time......eNJOY every minute of it!!!!! Write soon!!! B
Fionnuala reminds me of the time we were in Costa Rica, spent a night at the casino with our friends Liza and Len, they were loosing bucket loads Gary and I couldn't stop winning at roulette, had so many chips at one stage we were betting on every number we couldn't loose, we got very excited at the end of the night when we were escorted to the cashier to cash in the chips to discover we had won a disappointing $20 good craic though
Orla Hey Briege! Just readin sky news about the tsunami warnings for Hawaii! How's Marks parents? Keep us posted! Sorry I'm using this to contact you! I don't hav yur email! Mail me [email protected] thinking of everyone in Japan and Hawaii! Damo -hope we're still on to skpye today!! Catch up with unity then! Love Orla