Everyone who has seen “Swingers” has thought about making that spur of the moment trip to Vegas. Vegas baby, Vegas. Every once in a while, you need to get out of dodge to clear your head and get some perpective on this mad city we live in. Sometimes all you need to regain your mojo is the bright neon lights, a few lucky hands, and some showgirls.

That’s what I was thinking on my last trip to Vegas. I had been watching USC thump Cal in a dump of a bar in the valley. When my friend Andy brought up the idea, it sounded fantastic. Jump in a car, drive to Vegas, win money, get lucky, find some $1.99 steak and eggs.

It was a long four hours driving to Vegas, especially when you don’t have a CD player in your card (do people outside of major cities listen to anything but country?). However, there are few sights as energizing as the bright lights of Las Vegas from the highway. Andy started fiddling with the stereo, and on cue, Sinatra magically appeared on the dial.

We decided to try our luck at Paris. Andy claims that he can count cards. I don’t believe him, since I’ve never seen him actually win at blackjack. I leave him at the blackjack table and head over to craps. I’ll admit right away that I don’t really know how to play this game. But it is a really fun, since nearly everyone is making the same bets, you win and lose as a table community. Today I’m not lucky. I lose $200 in about 20 minutes. I decide to stop the bleeding while I can. After playing video poker for a while, I decide to check in with Andy to see how he is doing.

I arrive to see Andy perched behind a stack of chips, smoking a cigar, and sweet talking the middle aged platinum blonde seated next to him. He orders a “caucasian” from the waitress and begins playing. I look at the table to see that he is playing three hands at a time. Andy sees me and begins collecting his chips. It turns out that he ended up winning about $800. Chump change for Vegas, but not bad for us.

It is now 3AM. Andy tells me that it is time to hit the Ghostbar, on him.

…continued in part II

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As an experienced traveller, I usually end up as the “guide” on vacations with friends. Since I have the most experience trying to find lodging and transporation in strange lands where I don’t know the language, everyone seems to look to me to lead the way. Here are a couple of tips I have picked up along my journeys.

1. If you are travelling to a non English speaking country, learn a few words in the native tongue. It’s amazing how much more receptive people you encounter will become if you show them that you are making an effort. Yes, no, hello, goodbye, and thank you are good places to start.
2. Crowded restaurants usually mean good food. Unless you have some specific information about a restaurant, its a good idea to avoid empty restaurants. Usually there is a good reason it is empty.
3. Travel Light. Chances are pretty good that you will have to shlep your bags around at some point. Avoid the temptation to overpack. If you travel really light, you can also avoid having to check in luggage, which will save you from dealing with baggage check and claims, and which eliminates the possibility of lost luggage.
4. If you check in your luggage, take essential items like toiletries, and one change of clothes, in case your luggage is lost. That way, you will at least be able to brush your teeth and have fresh clothes if the worst happens.
5. Finally, try to experience a little of the native culture outside of the tourist areas. Hang with the locals and experience what their lives are like. One of the most gratifying parts of travel is exploring how other people in the world deal with the mystery of life.

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