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Aug, 2005, Part 2 of KrAut gives John a hug for Jerry

 
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john
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PostPosted: Jan Sun 01, 2006 9:32 am    Post subject: Aug, 2005, Part 2 of KrAut gives John a hug for Jerry Reply with quote

Now, here’s part 2 of the TR.

Thursday, August 25
Woke up at some time and went to check out the pool at the Eldorado. It’s ok, not much to speak of – rectangular, not very large. They seem to think one needs to be entertained at all times – they play music at the pool area. The rock was ok, but I preferred to leave once they started with country music.

Now, try to get 8 people to be ready to meet for breakfast at the same time … tough job. We managed somehow. Went to Fitzgerald’s (I should have paid better attention to the restaurant’s names …). It’s the place where you go for breakfast there, not a buffet. Real service … if you get it. We didn’t. The girl who finally tried to take care of us was clearly stressed out, although there really weren’t many people there. She said we are sitting in a colleague’s section, but that colleague never showed up. It took her about 20 minutes to get us coffee. Bob actually went to the counter and asked for a thermos, as refill service was slow to non-existent. Our waitress kept passing by empty-handed, we literally had to grab her in order to be able to place our orders. The food was very good though once it arrived like half an hour later. I was torn between feeling sorry for her and wondering if she picked the right job. She was from Romania or Transylvania or some such place – I suspect she had to disappear to go suck some blood once in a while (which would explain why her colleague never showed up).

After breakfast, we ventured back to the Eldorado. There were even more family members expected to arrive. Gary went off with his sister to find a store to get some cold medicine – poor guy, he was running a fever. We had a bonfire at the beach in San Francisco, and it was darn cold. Apparently, it didn’t do him any good. I tried my luck again at the slots and didn’t have any. That didn’t enhance my mood. So, I decided to go up to the room and check on my poor hubby instead of wasting more money. When I rushed through the lobby, I heard someone call my name. Startled, I turned – and there were uncle Don and aunt Lena. They drove up from Chico, California. The plan was to give a call to Bob’s mobile once they arrived. Unfortunately, Bob inadvertently turned his mobile off, so they were running around the casino trying to find us. I guided them to where my in-laws were playing and we decided to have a family gathering a little later on. By the way, what do you think of that fountain near the lobby? Is it only me that finds it ghastly?

OK, Gary wasn’t doing too hot and had to stay in bed. Bummer. We figured it’s best if he tries to sleep it off. He actually finds the train whistles soothing – they weren’t too loud, but noticeable in our room. My sis-in-law and her family stayed at the Worldmark place. So, we left my hubby to recover and walked over there. On the way, we passed the mission. The looks of the people hanging out there made me grab my purse tighter and wondering if it’s safe to stroll around in that area. It was not a pretty sight – I still wonder about all the stories behind those sad faces.

It was hot, but I enjoyed walking in the sun, except for thinking that I wouldn’t want to walk there all by myself. It’s ok with company. We spent the afternoon at the apartment at Worldmark, which was surprisingly large. Quality time with the family, which everyone – except poor, sick Gary – thoroughly enjoyed. Drinks and snacks and good conversations. The room had a “view” of the Sundowner. Now I see what you all keep talking about, that place seems rather large. It’s a shame it’s empty. That and the railway construction really don’t make downtown Reno all that appealing. On the other hand, I was surprised about the “mighty” (lol!) Truckee river – the area along the river is really nicely made up, a very pleasant sight.

We decided to freshen up and to have dinner at the Brew’s Brothers. They don’t take reservations. We managed anyway – meanwhile, our group counted 10 people. We got seated at a bar-like, long and high table. A very nice experience again, good food, good service. My recommendation would be the spicy prawn tacos – yummy. I got mesmerized by watching the beer flowing through those tubes overhead (is that real beer or just a display, I wonder?). Bob brought the stein along that we gave him – it holds one and a quarter liter. There is a story to that – it’s a Schwabenbräu stein they came out with on their 125th anniversary – hence the 1.25 liters. It was used at the Volksfest (our “Octoberfest”) and they charged you a liter, but gave you .25 more for free for their anniversary. He dumped his glass of wheat beer into the stein, looked at it quizzically and asked “where did my beer go?”. His puzzled expression was quite funny. The waiter liked the stein a lot, too. No free refills, though.

Now, after dinner, everybody was in a gambling mood. Some wanted to play BJ, so it was decided to walk to Cal Neva. On the way there, we stopped at a craps table at the Eldorado, but had no luck this time. First thing outside, of course, was having to take pictures of all the lights and the arch. Walked through the Golden Phoenix, but didn’t like it all that much there somehow. No much action. At Cal Neva, I left the others with the table games and went to the slots and – again – promptly lost my company. They told me the next day that they actually came out ahead from Cal Neva, lucky at BJ. Meanwhile, I discovered the Pharao’s Fortune machine, which I liked a lot. When you win, it plays the Bangles’ “Walk like an Egyptian”-song. Got me kind of addicted. As I was sitting there, having one of those numerous Corona’s (good drink service there), a local started to talk to me. First it was kind of fun, but after a while he got a little unnerving (by then, I was alone and still had to walk back to the Eldorado). So I hid in a different part of Cal Neva, loosing some more money, before walking back. Gambling was a little better there, but I ended up losing my money anyway. Not all that many people there, but that may have been due to the meanwhile late hour. Made it back to the Eldorado in one piece, gave their machines the rest of my money in exchange for a bedtime Corona and hit the hay.

To be continued
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