Well, here we are - in the Edmonton International Airport and things didn't get started off too well. Actually, I'll start off with telling you what happened last night. I tried to web check-in, but guess what...our tickets are more than two months old and their computer system has changed so our reservation code wasn't good anymore. I was on hold for more than an hour and finally gave up, thinking "well, we have our tickets, so everything will be fine". We managed to get checked in, but only after trying to use the kiosks to no avail. We finally waited in line for half an hour. Good thing we got here with lots of time to spare.
Now, on to Security. Step one...through customs. "Are you taking any fruit or vegetables to the U.S. with you" the nice lady asked me. "Just an apple and orange to eat on the plane", I said. God forbid...the plane might go down if you have an orange. I had to surrender it because who knows what you can transport in orange peel. Well, at least I still have my apple and sandwich.
Next...step two - through Security. I knew from experience that I'd have to undress - or should I say take off my belt, remove all my dangly jewelry from my jeans, take off my jacket and shoes. Good thing I wasn't wearing my Cher outfit, or I would have to take off my blouse, or do you think they would let me get away with leaving THAT on? For some reason they put my carry-on bag through the x-ray machine twice and I have no idea what it was they were concerned about. Memories of all the Security I had to go through last time I travelled came flooding back.
OK, now that we're through the portal, the first order of business was a latte, but unfortunately the only coffee shop nearby was a Starbucks. Susan owes me a latte because I won a bet, but I think a special latte in Las Vegas sounds better than Starbucks, so I told her to keep her money until we're there.
We're on the plane now. Hey, where's the flight path and the International Date Line? Oh, I forgot that we're only going three hours away. I'm already acting like I've been drinking, but I haven't. I'm just excited about going to Vegas. There's a man sitting beside me and I told him we're going to see Cher and he told me he's jealous. I asked him if he's gay. He isn't, but that was the topic of conversation for awhile. Whaaat! A man who likes to shop? "Are you sure you're not gay?" I asked. "No," he said, "but it's great ice breaker if we see each other this week-end." He's also running the Rock n Roll marathon. In fact, there are a lot of people on this flight running in the race. Just to give you an idea of how many people are in this race, we are each assigned a corral number to start the race, as it starts in waves because there are so many runners that we can't all start at once. Each corral houses 1,000 runners. My next door neighbour here is in corral 20, so you figure it out. I don't know if there are more than 20 corrals, but I have never been in a race so big. Good thing they're closing the strip for the race. I eventually told him "OK, I'll shut up now". He didn't seem to mind my childlike attitude though. When I eventually shut up I started reading a magazine that was left behind by a previous passenger. There was an article in it about the Queen's grand daughter relaxing at a luxury eco-resort in the Blue Mountains in Australia after putting on a dazzling performance in the Melbourne Cup. Hey, I've been there, and not only that, I've heard of the Melbourne Cup. Unfortunately, I didn't stay in a luxury resort, but had I not been in Australia only a month ago, I wouldn't have known what either was, but hey, I'm in the know now.
We're starting our descent now. That was a much quicker flight than last month, but I have to say that I would much rather have the long flight I had last month if it meant I was going to the same destination. I am looking forward to the race and seeing Cher though.
Viva Las Vegas
We're here and it's freezing outside. I just may be able to get away with wearing my down filled jacket, but I don't think I will; it's not THAT cold. The forecast for overnight on Saturday is down to -5 degrees Celcius, which means it will be cold at race start on Sunday morning. That's as cold as it is at home during the day right now. I think I may need to buy some cheap throw-away gloves.
The MGM Grand is massive. We got lost looking for a place to eat. Oh, and did I mention that they also allow smoking in casinos. So much for my healthy, pink lungs! That won't serve me too well for the race. I hold my breath a lot. Not only that, but Internet costs $14.99 a day in the hotel. So far, so bad! Are Edmonton and St. Albert the only places in the world that offer free wireless??? I doubt it, but it seems that everywhere I travel these days - being the world traveller I am - has high-priced Internet. Our room doesn't have a microwave or even a coffee maker. So much for the oatmeal I brought for breakfast. Even Super 8 has a microwave and coffee maker. We're now in search of a restaurant with healthy food for breakfasts. Do they even know what healthy is in this town? I don't think I'll be spending a lot of time near casinos, and I'll be carrying my lap top with me everywhere again hoping to find a free connection. I'll ask the concierge tomorrow if he knows of anywhere. So far I'm not too impressed with the MGM.
After dinner We went for a walk on the strip. Maan, the strip is not how I remember it, but I haven't been here since 1995. I can't even describe it, other than to say 'there are a lot lights!' We went to the M&M store. Four stories of anything and everything M&M - Christmas decorations, clothing, stationery, kitchen trinkets, and M&Ms in colours, in bulk, that we don't get at home. I bought some of my trademark green, purple and yellow peanut ones.
On the way back to the hotel, we were looking for somewhere warm to hang out and went into a tacky souvenir shop. I hope it's warmer tomorrow.
Now, for a good night's sleep to start the day bright and fresh.
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