Sing Me A Lullaby

Stepping Out

onboard a cruise liner for the first time in ten over years and into a casino. aunties, uncles and cousins were always talking abt their time spent here. though previously i had been once into a casino at Genting, i never tried my luck.

into a room of high rollers.. of wads of 50 dollar notes spread across the green table lawns where the cool uncle/ auntie stood waiting in exchange for their tokens. the smallest bet was SGD 25. we just stood there looking at the game but we didnt plunge into it.. at least for a night.. the next day, he decided to try. beginners' luck for us both as we analysed through the monitors on what were the previous stats and made our bets. after a few +s and then -s, we put in our last bet of this short 15min timeframe and it was a positive balance! my heart was pounding, and like my other girl friend onboard, i think we'd have heart attacks.. i am too risk adverse to take such risks but it was still fun nonetheless! and then it was night of celebration with cream and cakes though sadly the ship doesnt allow for candles.

and the week after, due to an event held at Turf City, it was another night of bets. being in the VIP group and standing in front of the throngs of punters and the common crowd, i was in awe. i didnt realise that these kinda events drew such a large crowd and that so many people were interested in betting on horses. perhaps i'm sheltered from such happenings, but to me, it was an eye-opener and i am glad to have been exposed to this. there is much analysis to be done on the jockeys and the performance of the horses. these animals were groomed well and they looked real beautiful. the entertainment of those taitais dressed to their nines (and most likely with a large hat perched on top for day events), with their tuxuedo-clad partners on their arm, unless there is an event in this faraway place, i dun think i'd drive all the way there.

but, wow! 2 different places with a similar yet distinct feel. 1 of a smoke-filled room with money laid on the table in full view of others comprising of aunties and uncles, and in another, a nicely furnished room with a buffet spread and a full view of the races, with money changing hands at the counter, comprising of ladies and gentlemen dressed elegantly.

interesting.