I want to say Ka-Ching but all that comes out of my mouth is Ker-plank. We sisters, Mother and Auntie traveled to the Church of Valley View where we donated to the slots. The pictures started out okay ( see Mom and Aunt Conny who is donning her neck brace, er, scarf) and then after the machines were well fed, we adjourned to food courts and infinity pools and lounge chairs. At least Cathy and I did, as we went into angst to have to part with our dollars. Cheap? no. Cautious and careful? yes. But we all know that a casino is no place to be a tightwad, especially when the machines are 1 cents. Now this was a revelation to me, since I was used to the Church of Vegas tithing at 25 cents and upward. I was estranged. The faithful parishioners were all on disability or Medicare prescriptions toting their appliances to help them stand upright so they could move from one station to another. After all, it is worthy of all to tithe in all places.
The drive down was a bit of comic relief and we laughed our way into Escondido. Laughed so hard that try as we might, we could not capture the audio on our smartphones for a chuckle recall. But as it goes, let me try to remember. One of the topics was the Foodie mentality and the Food network shows. My mother had us doubled over with her declaration that Giada who must wear a minus double zero dress size and who gobbles up rich and decadent desserts must have at least a staff member at her beckon call to hold the bucket so she can cough up the food. "Nooooooo!" my Mother screams, "she does not swallow!!" Then my Aunt in comedic rhythm chimes in, "Contessa swallows!! We died in howls of laughter. And that was how it went one after another topic.
The Casino resides in no where land, hidden in reservation canyons on a hill. Good thing they had the directions down pat because they visit regularly either by car or bus. Now this is worth mentioning. The retired community buses the seniors twice a day, morning with afternoon pickups and then are you ready for this? 3:30 am to pick up at 10:30 am! The graveyard run. Astounding.
Smoke inhalation is a first concern upon entrance to the casino. But then again, the very disabled and respiratory challenged are there with their cigs playing the Wheel of Fortune, awaiting their $12 profit. Cathy mentioned she had seen a woman carrying free chocolates to the high stakes area ( still smoke infested) and we will have to check that out next visit. The non-smoking section has all the sparkly cartoon machines with the asian, egyptian and wildlife flair. No one wins much there. You think 1 cent is a bargain but you forget you have to do 20 spins on 2 lines to make a dollar three eighty. ( don't ask)
We sisters enjoyed Rock Around the Clock, quite entertaining with all the bells and whistles and songs. But that distraction finally gave way to the reality that the machines, once loose, are now tight.
The Free Buffet was quite a show and offered every kind of food you could think up. Everyone gobbled like pigs at the trough and later needed tums. However, life at the slots is always better with a full stomach isn't it?
After we generously gave as much as we dare, Cathy and I slipped into the hotel next door for a respite from the clanging and dinging. Ahhhhh. An infinity pool and lounging and we were almost alone in thought with our potato chips. See pictures above. Then we got texted by the rest of the group and we joined them for some really serious smoke inhalation.
Warning! This is not for the fainthearted although it appears many are having body struggles. I have great compassion for the elderly but not when they push and shove and act rude. Maybe they have donators remorse.
The ride home was another hoot, in the dark at 10 pm and a shower and bed were waiting for me. Let's face it, family fun is always a lift of the heart muscle.
