Las Vegas – 14th September

I had a fuzzy head when I woke up early on Tuesday 14th September. I’d shared 6 bottles of the Margarita Soju and then drank half a bottle of red wine last night. Louisa had replied just after midnight to ask what time I would be back this morning as it was Briony’s last day and we needed to make plans for what we were all doing.
Jamie, Thành and the 2 kids were up and about getting ready for school and 7am felt like it was a bit too early for me today. I do like to see how local life is in a place so I reluctantly got up. Jamie had done all my washing too and there was pho for breakfast – I was happy as I love Pho and Thành had added extra meat which he had killed himself! We were invited to join the school drop off and see the girls’ school which I was interested in and I was going to have a lift back to my hotel after.
The school visit was interesting and it was a very nice school, we met the teachers and even went in to the classrooms. Jamie had a work commitment so her and Janet went off one way and Thành drove me back to the hotel with a stop off to visit Jamie’s sister’s home. The houses Jamie and Shawn live in are really lovely with gardens and lots of space for the animals.
I was back at the hotel before 9am, the girls were up and ready and I didn’t have time for a shower before we all headed off to the Mob Museum. As it was Briony’s last day, I put my out of office on and would check my emails later tonight. Louisa and Briony were off to see Ka, a Cirque de Soleil show, at 6pm and I was going to Jamie & Thành’s to join the family dinner.
It was my turn to pay the taxi to the Mob Museum which was all the way over to Fremont and cost £33 including tip! The Mob Museum was £37 and actually one of the best value attractions I spent money on this trip. Briony was tired of me moaning about having no money and had kindly given me $100 so today’s outing was on her. The Mob Museum was pretty impressive and we were in there from 10am until almost 3pm. It was freezing in there as the AC was on icy so we stopped at the cafe for a hot drink and so that the girls could eat something for breakfast. I just had an earl grey tea for £2.67 to warm me up. We did a very interesting Crime Lab experience there and the girls got to shoot guns – I’m anti gun so I just watched but Louisa was a perfect shot and Briony was pretty nifty too.

We came out and decided to eat at the nearest place, even though it was a little late for lunch.
At the Triple George Grill the staff thought we were mental to want to sit outside in the sun to eat. They brought us free water constantly and were very attentive, I think they were expecting one of us to collapse with heatstroke at any time – I sat under an umbrella but it was very warm. I saw the house burger on the menu for $18 and ordered that with a Budweiser – when in Vegas! I was conscious that I didn’t have my lactase tablets with me so when it came I took the cheese off. The food was ok and big portions so I had to leave some, which I don’t like doing. My total bill with tip, tax and bread and oil to share was £31.
We got a taxi back around 4pm, the girls were now in a bit of a rush because they both needed to shower and get ready to be at the MGM before 6pm. I didn’t make it to the hotel room before needing the toilet as my stomach was bad from my lunch!
I went to the family dinner without a shower as there wasn’t time for all 3 of us to use the bathroom but no one noticed if I smelled.

At Jamie’s, Thành was already being the chef, the kids were running about, Shawn had her cute little baby and an older kid with her. Janet was trying to open or pour some wine and I was getting reacquainted with Jamie’s Mom and Chubby the dog. I’d known Chubby from about 12 years ago when they first got her, tiny and covered in ticks, she didn’t recognise me now though and the other dog, Rosie, was still too shy. The house was chaos but it was fun and the food was delicious. I had so many portions of the tofu and fried rice that I lost count and I loved having veggies. We remembered stories from when we were all in Vietnam and how their uncle Gary is still called Jungle Chicken.
After a lovely family dinner I said my farewells and Jamie drove me back to the hotel, where I finally got a shower, did a little bit of work and got in bed for an early night.
When Briony and Louisa got back, before 10pm, they had really enjoyed the show and were up for going downstairs for a bit of gambling. I joined them and just watched as I’d already spent over £115 today, but it was interesting to see how fast those machines can take that cash.

Gratitude List
1. The Mob Museum with Briony and Louisa
2. Home cooked Vietnamese food with Jamie, Thanh and their family
3. Seeing Chubby again.