Vegas 2010, Day 7 – until next year!

Although the Bora Bora isn't our standard room, the amenities certainly made it worth consideration for upgrading when our Moorea is paid off. Still cheaper than a room on the Strip of this size.

The day we dreaded arrived, the one in which we have to go home and say goodbye to Las Vegas until next time. However, we promise to make it back in a year, not in two as the current pattern appears to be (’06, ’08 and ’10). I think we can pull it off, we are supposed to use our space on the odd-numbered years anyway.

I made one last use of the hot tub since I didn’t do my PT (to help my back). We then started packing, organizing and cleaning up. The housekeeping people would probably like us: we ran the dishwasher for all the utensils we used, centralized our trash, left some gatorade to drink and put a tip on the bed (it’s a tradition for long stays in Las Vegas hotels).

We managed to avoid the whole half-day spiel from the timeshare company so I made sure we went by the front desk to see if there was anything critical we needed to know. Found out the place is now part of Goldman Sachs (great) but they’re in the black once the bankruptcy is clears at month’s end. Afterwards, the plans for a sixth building will proceed (all the empty, ugly space near the lazy river). The clerk’s explanation made me realize I hadn’t seen any tours or sales pitches going on; this is a mixed bag. He also stated that some owners were booking yet not showing up. Rather mind boggling to me. As long as we get to use our room for a week every odd year in perpetuity and have the opportunity to buy additional days (going for $75/day), I’m cool.

On to a final picture at the famous welcome sign, I didn’t bother to pull any from Somara and the guy dressed as Elvis took off before I could get photographed with him.

Returning the rental car led to a huge shock, $531! Somara was rather outraged. I was more blasé over it. Sure it was more than we anticipated (about 50 percent more than our current car payment) yet I said, we’ll cut back next time on the insurance. I readily agree that cab fare is probably cheaper for our needs. In defense of the rental car, which will always have my vote, it helped preserve the one resource greater than money…time. Last vacation in Vegas, we endured the scheduling issues associated with the shuttle bus and public transportation. Amusing, cheaper and convenient, to a point. However, it took the Deuce almost two hours to get from our timeshare to Fremont on a Sunday evening courtesy of the high traffic density on the Strip. Fat chance getting a seat to go home on the shuttle from TI as well. Cabs have their problems: a mopey-ass driver as Jose and I encountered in ’05 was my favorite, got to have cash on hand plus tips and you can’t count on all of them to be scrupulous enough to avoid congestion (Koval Lane and Dean Martin Way are lifesavers). The luxury of driving home when tired and having our own wheels for the off-Strip destinations made it worth the cost.

Now came the horrible juxtaposition between Austin (a high-tech city) and Las Vegas (the city trying to get every dime), their airports and Wi-Fi. I don’t mind arriving at McCarran for its free Wi-Fi but it made me totally forget how Southwest has the worst location at check in. Getting through TSA was pleasantly faster than Austin by 30 minutes.  I also won a free pat-down because I was randomly selected by the metal detector. See, I didn’t leave Vegas completely empty-handed! The TSA guy was quick obviously, I’m back home, not locked away in Gitmo as many Republicans and Teabaggers would prefer. Once all the grief was done, we settled into a recharging station to check e-mail, post, etc (some of those were visible last week!). Again, McCarran brings up my beef with Bergstrom. Austin charges for this yet there are numerous, free hotspots all over the city, it’s rather insulting.

My irritation quickly evaporated on the flight home. One of the worst take-offs in my life. The plane shook sideways all the way to its cruising altitude. At first, I calmed down when we got to 10,000 and the attendants were allowed to serve drinks but part way through ordering, the cockpit ordered them to their seats…my luck changed again! I could be on the first plane Southwest has ever lost! Nah! Scared as I was, I know there would be more klaxons and worry with the crew if it were too dangerous. I only wish my nerves could be reconciled with these factors.

We made it to Austin a little late yet it wasn’t anything as egregious as Somara’s experience through Delta recently, late would be an understatement with those schmucks. Getting home to our cats was a great welcome. Kuro, Molly and Miette were waiting with an expression of “Where the hell have you been for a week?” while Nemo fled under the furniture; he has since regained his trust of us and/or been convinced we’re not evil doppelgangers.

I hope you enjoyed and/or endured my little posts. It did conclude 10 days late but other factors in life got in the way. Things which required more urgency due to their timely nature. In the meantime, I will flesh out three of the attractions we hit in the near future. They deserve their own articles as endorsements in case any of you plan to go.

Meanwhile, we will be going back next year. When? Somara is requesting May 2011. Any takers? Let us know. We also want to announce that we will be having a renewal of our wedding vows (what Somara calls it, I thought it was just getting remarried) in July 2013. I owe a handful many friends a wedding, especially in light of what little advanced notice I gave in 2003 (a couple months). This time you have almost three years to get your plans together and no excuses, most of your children will be old enough to be dumped on older relatives, enrolled in Summer camp or can handle being alone with some supervision from a trustworthy adult; my parents successfully did this for a week in 1982 to check out Houston when I was 13 and Brian was 12. Las Vegas is the perfect destination too. Plenty of hotel rooms. No shortage of dining options. Through my six visits, I have found many things to do that aren’t gambling for the cowards. Children are welcome if you wish to bring them. I will issue a warning now though. Vegas is the R-rated Disneyworld so gambling, swearing, drinking and smoking (cigars) will be mandatory. We do hope to see you then while we hope to see ourselves back there next year.