Dec 10
26
Christmas Day in Downtown was pretty quiet, until night fell. I made texts and calls to family back home to wish them happy holidays. Breakfast at the Carson Street Cafe was fine. I wasn’t happy with myself that I miscalculated how much time I had to eat lunch before catching the free shuttle to Sam’s Town, which would get me there with just a few minutes to spare before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows started. So I wound up grabbing something quick at a deli in the Fremont. It was overpriced for what I was actually able to scarf down in the ten minutes I had.
The shuttle driver enjoyed the sound of his own voice too much and was yacking with some passengers up front, so it was five past when we were supposed to leave. Those of us further back on the bus were getting antsy, and some people around me urged me to let him know we were supposed to leave. I’m not quite sure how they decided to elect me their spokesperson, but I didn’t want to miss the movie, so I did. He was cool about it.
I love going to movies on holidays like Christmas, because there aren’t that many people in the theater. As for the movie itself, I really enjoyed it, though it’s hard to only see the first half and not the whole story. I had over an hour to kill once it finished before the next free shuttle to Downtown, so I grabbed a snack at Dunkin Donuts and then went to the Winchester Bar for a Jack and Coke and to play some video poker. I won enough back so that it only cost me $10, so I was pretty happy.
Me at Chart House
Dinner was at the Chart House at Golden Nugget. This is a relatively new restaurant. I’ll go into it in more detail in a future blog post, but suffice it to say it was a wonderful Christmas dinner in a lovely environment. I chose well. I also finally got my fix of prime rib for this trip.
After dinner, it was time to scratch an item off my bucket list and ride the zipline down Fremont Street! I’d been looking forward to this all week. It’s funny how perspective works: From the ground, the zipline doesn’t look very high, but once you’re standing up on that platform, waiting to hurtle into the air, it looks very frighteningly high. I was pretty terrified on the inside, but tried to play it cool on the outside. Unfortunately, I don’t have a poker face. I later overheard a young girl who was looking at my picture on the screen after the ride, “Look, Mommy, that lady looks freaked out!” Yeah, kid, thanks for noticing.
Fremont Street zipline ride
Was it terrifying? Yes, in the first moments of the ride, when my feet left the platform. After that, it was a lot of fun. The only time I became concerned again was as I slowed down as I was approaching the platform. The day before, I’d seen some kids not make it all the way to the platform, and slide backwards and get stuck in the middle, so the zipline staff had to go out and tow them back in. I did not want that to be me. But it was fine, I made it to the platform unscathed.
After that, I just wandered Fremont Street checking out the scene and shooting video (which needs editing). Then I found the Amazing Race slot machines (at the foot of the stairs to Gold Diggers at the Golden Nugget). That machine gave me better hits than any I have ever played. By the end of the night, I was up $33 for the day, so I went to bed a happy camper.
Today, I am back on the Strip, staying at Treasure Island. More tomorrow.
great post Gray! ziplining’s on my list of must-dos for 2011! i don’t have much of a poker face either, and while i’m not afraid of heights, i’m sure that like you say, this is much higher, scarier than it looks from the ground and i’m sure to be the freaked out lady too- ha ha. thanks for sharing all those juicy details- better to know what to expect.
Face down that fear, Lorna! It really is worth it. Fun.
I’m really enjoying yout trip with you !! I’m glad your dinner at Chart House turned out well and it looks as though you found one of those aquariums to enjoy …. can’t wait for the rest of your blog
Irene
PS: I love the pictures you’ve included esp. the Chandelier at Cosmopolitan lovely !!
Thanks, Irene! Yes, the chandelier at Cosmo is stunning. I’m actually stuck in Las Vegas now until Saturday. My flight home got canceled and this is the earliest they could rebook me. Am at the IP for next 3 nights.
Hi Gray,
I just discovered this blog. Ziplining, yeah!! I want to try that myself. Glad you are enjoying the holiday in Vegas.
Yeah, they don’t have ziplining at WDW, do they? They need to get right on that….
Love your daily updates. Living vicariously…
Thanks Steven! Vicarious is the way to go right now. My flight home got canceled and I’m stuck in Vegas until Saturday. I am not looking forward to the crowds for New Year’s Eve…
I like day 7 ))) one of my friends said Las Vegas is very expensive place like Dubai, is that true ?
Hi, Dana – I haven’t been to Dubai, so it’s hard for me to compare. I also don’t know what your definition of expensive is. Vegas can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. It all depends on your tastes and what you plan to do for activities. You can get a really nice hotel room for ridiculously cheap in this city, depending on time of year/week you travel, and you can eat cheaply too if you have the willpower. If you are the type to want to party every night, it will definitely cost you. Alcohol at most of the Strip resorts is not cheap.