Do's / Don'ts', Las Vegas

Beware of eatting things that include exotic ingredients that you have never tried before. Beware of eating things that you have had slight reaction to lately or in the past.

Over the past year, occasionally, when I have eaten shell-fish, I have gotten an itchy nose and ears, that required scratching at my face. A few times, I experienced upset stomach and diarria. This went away after an hour or so and the reddnes with it. It did not keep me from eating my favorite meals as it did not happen every time.

The first night in Vegas, I ate at a buffet. What a treat, all I could eat seafood, and tons of other stuff.

Twenty minutes later, my face began to itch, but it didn't stop there. Welts began popping up over my upper tourseau and my chest was full and the itch was torture. This lasted about 6 hours and ruined my evening.

Why did the shell fish in Las Vegas cause a more serious consequence than the shell fish of my home, Washington State? Why did I react only sometimes and not every time?

Two reasons: 1. There is a parasite called anisakiasis that frequently contaminates seafood. This parasite is killed by deep freezing the shellfish; So if you find you can tolerate shrimp that has been frozen, but sometimes get sick eating fresh shrimp, it may be the parasite contamination, rather than a seafood allergy.
2. What causes welts is the protein in the shrimp or crab and sometimes other shellfish. Some people are sensitive to any amount of this protein and others must intake a larger portion before they react. Some shrimp from different parts of the world have stronger protein than others, thereby making it difficult to pin down.

The days of tumbling coins have come to an end in Vegas. No loud tinkling of coin dropping from the hopper into the buckets anymore. We have become a cashless society, at least from the casino payout point of view.

All wins are printed on a voucher which the customer takes to the ATM/Bill Breaker for payout. Be aware that these printouts are time sensitive, so don't carry them about with plans to cash in before you hit the hay. You might forget, and find a winning voucher in your shirt pocket as you're unpacking. Look around for a machine, and cash the voucher immediately.

Vouchers expire quickly. Don't even count on a twenty four hour period of grace. Why chance it. Plus, casinos DO NOT honour each others vouchers.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE A TAXI PLEASE KNOW THE LOCATION YOU WANT TO GO TO.
MAP IT OR GOOGLE THE DESTINATION ADDRESS
AIRPORT ADDRESS IS 5757 WAYNE NEWTON BLVD.
TELL THE TAXI DRIVER TO TAKE THE SURFACE STREETS AS THIS IS THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE TO THE STRIP OR DOWNTOWN
AVOID BEING OVERCHARGED BECAUSE THE DRIVER WANTS TO TAKE THE EXPRESSWAY
INTERSTATE 15.
ALSO, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT LAS VEGAS IS A FAVORITE SETTING FOR PICKPOCKETS.
BE CAREFUL ABOUT FRIENDLY STRANGERS. NEVER LET SOMEONE HOLD YOUR BAG OR PURSE.
WHEN GAMBLING HAVE YOUR WALLET IN YOUR FRONT POCKET OR YOUR PURSE IN FRONT OF YOU.

One of the great tips that our airport shuttle bus driver gave us was to always use the walkways. He told us that crossing major intersections was a really bad idea and that jaywalking was a real bad idea since the fine was gigantic. Many tragic accidents happen when these suggestions are ignored.

Mickey and I always used them and found them a real convenience and time saver. Since walking was one of our most popular means of travel around the Vegas Strip, these cross walks helped us immensely.

Locations:
a. Between the Tropicana and New York-New York, the MGM and the Excalibur at Las Vegas Boulevard.
b. Between the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Bill's Gamblin'Hall & Saloon and Bally's at Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo.
c. Between Mirage and the Venetian.

Fortunately, there are escalators and elevators as well as stairs up to the walkways.

TAKE HEED AND USE THE WALKWAYS

DO - take the time to walk one of the trails in Red Rock Canyon (as I did late last year). It is a gorgeous place.

DON'T - forget to take as much water as you can carry: the heat is brutal !

DO - obey the posted speed limit

DON'T - waste gambling money paying a fine, though the traffic cop was charming when he heard my British accent... :)

DO - leave plenty of time to get to the car rental return place at McCarran on the day you leave

DON'T - get pulled over because you're racing to make up the time you lost stuck in the Strip's abysmal traffic...!!!

2 more images

I understand that some folks like to hang out at the clubs in some of the casino's and dressing up is probably a must. Yet, we I saw these gals where these 5 inch heeled shoes walking along the strip, well I think your nuts! Don't do it! Bring some extra shoes that might fit in your bag like a pair of cute sketchers. We saw a couple of gals carrying their fancy high heeled shoes, while wearing some sketchers that actually matched their outfits. I thought they looked really cute. Yet, some gals had these 5 inched heels shoes walking up and down the strip, but later that evening she was carrying her shoes and walking barefoot...figures, but now she was barefoot and that was not safe.

So Ladies, you can look just as nice with some low heels shoes or even some flats. Your choice, the malls are huge and so is the strip.

We passed by a group of people and had to stop when I saw this guy, whom he called himself,The Stone Man. He is dressed in a metallic suit with his face in silver paint. You can hear him making all these beep, beep noises synchronized each time he moved his body like a robot.

I took a video of him because he is groping women while this women get close to him to take pictures. He actually even touches the women in their napes, ears and kiss them on their necks! With the children, he gave them lollipops from his pocket.

With this kind of modus operandi of this guy, I would not even dare get close to him! He is a freak! My children even said that loudly while he was kissing all those women who gets close to him.

You will see this guy on the streets. Don't even bother get close to him. If you do, you are exposing yourself to groping!

Please watch my video how he gropes women!

I'm in the Security Department. When people come here to gamble or stay they think they can just leave their suit cases alone, or their purses next to them, etc. We call it being Careless, Stupid, or what ever you want! Yes we have lots of coverage and people around the casino and in the hotel but you are to watch your OWN stuff! We don't baby-sit here! Vegas is Cool and nice to visit but when you get careless about your stuff, someone will see it and (barrow) it. Because they see you don't care if someone takes off with it! So watch your Stuff! Also if ANY BODY comes up to you trying to sell you something, or DISTRACK your attention YELL OUT, SECURITY!!! We can't wait to get the bad guy or lady! Also watch the over 60 looking men or women! They look harmless but will trick you or distract you for your money or something! Don't let anyone get change for you! Do it yourself! The thing that makes us mad is when something does happen to you and you wait almost 30 minutes to tell Security! So watch your OWN stuff! It's YOUR problem! And NO, it does not happen all the time.