Nga Trinh: Our Reno, Nevada Trip, Part 1 August 5-6, 2007

Map of California and Nevada. The yellow highlight is the route that we took.

Map of downtown Reno. This is where most of the casinos are located.

An acquaintance of mine introduced us to this Reno Express Bus that takes people to Reno, Nevada to gamble. My children and I are not interested in gambling per se, but we went there anyway to experience what a casino looks and feels like.

We paid 55 dollars per person for a round trip and the pick up/drop off location was in San Leandro. According to the trip itinerary, everybody on the bus would get a total of 36 dollars back; 20 in cash, 11 in food coupons and 5 in game coupon. Because my two children are under 21, they did not qualify for the bonuses that the casinos had offered. They charged each kid the same price as an adult ticket, but did not give them the bonuses like everyone else, and I thought that wasn't fair at all. I expressed my view and the lady we went with was offended: "Why are you so calculating?" she asked. And why not? Fair is fair.

Part of the Reno Express Bus's flyer.

The bus ride takes about 5 hours from San Leandro to Reno. Half way there, the bus driver stopped at a McDonald's for everybody to take a lunch-break.

This is the Reno Express Bus. There is a tiny restroom on the bus, but the seat is hot like a heater.

Downtown Reno was windy, dry and hot. It was 85 degrees Fahrenheit when we were there.

This car runs on the roof top of the Circus Circus Hotel Casino.

There are quite a few dome /ball shaped on the buildings in Reno.

We got to Reno around late afternoon. As you can see we were a little overdressed for the hot and dry climate of this region. Most people there dressed in shorts and T-shirts.

Everything about Reno is very colorful and flashy.

We did not stay in this motel, of course, but I like this old fashion design.

Lucky for us, there was a week-long vintage car show. Anh Vu and I took lots of pictures of old, expensive and beautiful cars in all shapes, sizes, designs and colors. Downtown Reno was full of people, old cars and music, beside that there was nothing worth sightseeing.