One More Night

So the airline got a bunch of buses and sent us over to a hotel. It's actually a pretty nice place. Nice enough to have armed guards, anyway. And metal detectors and drug-sniffing guard dogs on the way in. (Which was kind of a pointless exercise. They realize every one of us just went through customs inspections at the airport, right?)

You know what? I'm not going to complain. I'm going to enjoy it. And you know how I'm going to enjoy it? By drinking, at least. After checking in and ditching my luggage, the first thing I did was walk down to the hotel bar.

"Are you still open?"

"No sir, sorry."

"Where can I find a bar?"

"The resort outside should have one."

..... Resort?

As it turns out, this hotel is in some big complex that includes a resort casino. So, you know, 24-hour bar. And casino. And God knows what else.

You know what's awesome about a casino in the Philippines? I'm a fucking high roller, that's what. It's not a very big place, so you don't expect to find the really high rollers there. You won't see this place in a James Bond movie or anything like that. But it's still a proper casino, with proper entertainment and proper drinks and more tables than slots which is pretty awesome.

By the way, I should tell you that I'm drunk while writing this. The first thing I did before going into the casino was stop at a bar and get a drink and some food. They had decent food, actually. I got a blackened salmon with garlic rice. I guess it turned out to be an actual restaurant or something, I don't know. But they had a proper bartender.

There was a waiter guy who sat me at a table and took my order. So I gave them the bartender test. See, I don't order drinks. It's beneath me. I explain my mood and the bartender crafts a beverage for me. They were totally accommodating to this. And it was great. What did I drink? No idea. I think it was a long island ice tea. And I think the next one was some kind of sour liquor thing. I don't know. But they were good. When the waiter struck up a conversation with me I explained what my situation was and why I was enjoying a drink. He asked if I was going to the casino as well. "Oh course I am, I just figured I should get good and drunk first so I can gamble properly."

Tonight was awesome. I don't have any photos of it because I didn't bring my camera. This wasn't something I wanted to document and share. This was something I wanted to live. I went casual and I had a great time. One more night in Manila? No problem. Point me to the bar, show me where the ladies are, and let me have my fun.

God bless the Philippines. Or something.