The good , the bad and the smelly - 12/16 to 12/19

Just a little background, I am from Indiana and am limited on funds. I was so glad my friend Di and I could finally go. I bought a $150 prepaid Visa card from my bank, basically for food and souveirs. Took the rest in cash for the slots. I have not learned table games or VP, yet.

Day 1 - Wed.- arrived in Vegas on the 16th, checked in at Monte Carlo. Our room had a view of the strip. Played slots a bit there. Walked to the Tropicana to play and eat lunch , had a b1g1 lunch coupon. Walked to the MGM and seen the lions. Then took the Tram to the Bellagio. Went to see the volcano but it was down for maintenance. Walked around a bit there, played more slots (lost money again). Ate supper at the Bellagio. We loved the buffet. One thing however, I had never had chilled crab legs. Different then what I am used to but they were great. Walked through and seen all the beautiful decorations. Very cool. Watched the fountains which was neat. Walked back to MC and lost some more $$$. Went over to the Aria when it opened. Very crowded but fun to be there on the first day. Went to bed about 3:00 am.

Day 2 - Thurs - up and eat breakfast at MC. However noticed a very unpleasant (almost gagging sewer odor) from the restroom near the buffet. **Note that this odor was not in the buffet area itself** They were working on it. Free trammed and walked to Mandalay Bay, thought we would see the aquarium. Didn't realize it was not free. Walked back to the Luxor and played there. Di had good luck there and I did okay. Had lunch at the Luxor. Went back to the room for a bit then decided to go catch the free shuttle to the Rio. Then we were going to the Palms after that. While we were waiting on the shuttle , my daughter called. Had to dig in my purse for my phone. Caught the bus and made it to the Rio. Went in and was sitting down to play slots and realized I DID NOT HAVE MY WALLET!! Freaked out!! Dumped my purse, which is not that big, still no wallet. Had cash, no drivers license of prepaid Visa. Called husband to look in the drawer at home for the disclaimer for the Visa card so I could cancel it and not lose all that money. He could not find it. Left the Rio, called lost and found at MB and Luxor. Had to leave message at Luxor. I am not usually a crying type gal, but I was in shock. No ID means hassle to get on plane. No Visa means no souvneirs for the kids.

Still Day 2 - Di said lets go downtown anyway, I think she had good intentions but not even the light show cheered my up. She bought us Ribeye dinners, which were not very good at all. I ate a couple of bites, my stomach was in knots. I asked if we could just go back to the room. It was about 9 or so.

Day 3 - Wake up. Out of shock. Realize I have to address the issue of no license and figure out how to cancel my Visa card. Call the MB and Luxor again, just in case. No wallet turned in at MB, Luxor I had to leave a message. Even checked MC. Nothing. Call airline, they said be at the airport 3 hours early, probably need to fill out a report with the police and the hotel, etc, etc, no guarantee that I can get on the plane. Call my bank (thank goodness we live in a smaller city) explained the situation, they hunted down the card # and gave me the phone # to call and cancel. Was on the phone forever getting that card cancelled. Di ran down to get us both coffee. 10 minutes later Luxor called me, they had my wallet. I was screaming and hopping around like a crazy woman. She told me she received my message on Thurs (day 2) but thought I said my last name was Bark -- it's Clark -- and didn't call me until my message on Friday. Everything was still in my wallet. I had $1, prepaid visa, license, room key all still in there. I think when I was having them check to see what comps I had, I left it on the counter. Very fortunate!!! Counted my blessings big time.

Headed dowtown to kill time, then went and ate at the Rio. Was going to see Frank Caliendo 9sp?) at the MC friday night. He was funny. However still that nasty lingering odor near the buffett and box office. Up late playing more slots at the other end of the casino near the lobby. Had too much to drink I am sure. Went to be late again.

Also, noticed when we got back to the room, the maid service did not leave our two tiny bottles of water we were paying $10 a day to get , our old partially empty ones were there. Ticked us both off.

Day 4 - Up later then normal, went down to get coffee and back up to the room to get shower and pack. Flight was leavin at 4. Went down and checked our comps, still the lingering, gaggy order in that part of the casino. At champagne brunch, very tasty and lots of variety. Back up to the room to get our luggage and check out. The clerk asked how everything was and Di explained the odor and how it was bad going to the buffet. Also, told her we did not get new bottles of water on Friday, she said I can give you two bottles of water. Ticked Di off, she paid for the rooms. She asked to have that charged removed for that day. The lady said no. Di said other things I won't say here but she was not happy. Checked are luggage at the hotel and walked to the NYNY to play abit. Then grabbed a taxi and headed to the airport.

Overall , except the 12 hours with the missing wallet, it was a great trip. I missed out on seeing a few things I wanted to see, and did not hit a couple of casinos I wanted too, but all in all it was fun. I know we hit a few other casinos on the strip and downtown that I failed to mention.

Thanks everyone who sent me coupons and gave advice . It really did help!!

 

funny as I noticed that foul odor at those bathrooms @2am the night of the 16th.. However the odor wasn't there the previous night. Glad you/Luxor found your wallet!

 

eep, glad you found your wallet! sorry you had to miss out on some *Vegasy* things to do , whilst tracking it down

@ the water bottles I'd be upset too!

 

A Report with a good ending

So glad the wallet and ID was found. Always a big scare.

 

Wow I woulda been a nervous wreck, glad you got the wallet back. I was thinking about going to see Frank on my trip in Feb. Hope the sewer smell is gone by then lol.

 

I, too, noticed the sewer smell alot...especially near Aria...they must have been having a big problem for that week.

 

Glad you got your wallet back - that would have totally turned me off until that was resolved. Thanks for a sweaty, but entertaining read!

 

I can just imagine how bad you felt while your wallet was missing, glad you got it back. That smell migrates around Vegas in the winter and has to be something to do with the lower temps and the sewage system. It used to hang around Caesars, too.

 

SO glad you got your wallet back, and that the coupons (hopefully) helped!! Looking forward to hearing about an odor-free, wallet-full next adventure for you guys!