Tagusa

Hitching for the Environment

While driving around San Francisco I noticed something I found quite odd. There are places along the road with ‘Ride Share’ signs. This apparently is where people can stand at this individualized bus stop to be picked up by anyone that feels like it – a sort of civically organized hitching. I can see why someone driving alone would like to avoid the insane traffic by use of the carpool lane, it just creeps me out a bit that it involves putting total strangers in the seat next to you whether you’re the driver or the guest. Isn’t this the perfect serial killer opportunity.? It certainly reduces the hassle of acquiring a victim the old fashioned way … or is my notion just paranoid?

Day 7: To the Air

We got up about 7:30 and took the shuttle to the airport. It was only about 20 minutes and 6$. It’s nice the Venetian contracted with the operator. An Auntie Annie pretzel and one last spin on the slots later (won 2.75) we were on our way to San Francisco.

De-boarding the Ted flight was a unique experience. There was no mad rush to get off. It went quietly and orderly. BART was no problem into the Powell station. Some walking uphill later and we settled into the small room before exploring a small bit of chinatown. E was delighted with the soup noodles with roast duck and everything else was great as well. I had thought we just picked a random place but was told that the sign is the meats hanging in the window and not hidden away in the kitchen in embarrassment.

On the way to chinatown we discovered a coin laundry so we stuck the last weeks stuff in there and waited at the complementary napa wine tasting in the hotel lobby. The red was nice during the wash cycle, and the white during the dry. The lobby is very cozy with the christmas tree, warm victorian stylings, and a fireplace. Then it was bed … at … 7:30.

Day 6: Sin No More

Penn & Teller last night was totally great! I got my pic taken with Penn! At one point in the show there is a thing to verify the authenticity of the items used. Penn said “This is a real horse, right?” The audience member said NO it’s a small plastic model! Penn broke down trying not to laugh saying he has said that every night for a long time and no-one has made him a liar … yes, it’s a real plastic horse, thanks.

In addition to being the last day in sin city it was the was Las Vegas Outlet mall day. There was a Levi’s and Adidas shop, which was where we spent most of the time. We both picked up some Hush Puppies that look great and are really comfortable. It was, however, hell waiting for the bus to get away from the place as it was freezing and took forever (the traffic on the strip was backed up because, as the driver said, “this is the holidays, and this is Las Vegas”).

After a deposit of the spoils and a rest in the room, we braved the walk back to the MGM for Ka, a Cirque du Soleil show. The stage and effects were amazing, but I would have preferred a more ‘amazing feats’ normal type show over the more artsy approach of this production. Wolfgang Puck’s Bar  Grill fed the evening. My small ravioli-type things as well as the roast chicken was rich and delicious, as well as bigly portioned. The long last walk home was punctuated by stops at several casino’s to temper the even more freezing weather.