The Horseshoe Hotel and Casino

First of all I must thank Cody's mom Nita for taking Cody and I to Shreveport. Free room, free amazing food, and an overall great time... but of course, as always, there is a story.

The Hotel
When we first got to the hotel I was rather impressed with it's luxuriousness. I mean people, it is Louisiana and you rarely here the words luxurious and Louisiana in the same sentence. Once we arrived in our room I couldn't believe how nice and spacious it was. Plush beds, soft pillows, a mini-fridge, and a very spacious bathroom. Not only was the bathroom spacious, the shower/bath was so large that a small Chinese family could have lived in the tub alone. The rest of the bathroom was so big that P. Diddy's entourage would have been able to fit, and breakdance while swilling Cristal.

The Casino
I was also impressed with the Horshoe Casino. Three stories of slot machines, craps tables, black jack, and old people - doesn't that sound like a blast? There was also a high concentration of people walking around missing limbs. At first I thought that maybe gambling at the casino was a form of entertainment for them, but after seeing so many, at least 15, I began to wonder if their limbs hadn't been removed as a form of payment for an unpaid debt. It was sad and frightening at the same time.

Smoke billowed throughout all three floors of the Casino, someone once said vices come in threes, and apparently at the casino they are gambling, drinking and SMOKING. I actually saw one old lady stick an entire carton of Marlboro's into her mouth and light the other end - apparently one pack at a time wasn't allowing her to get her nicotine fix. Is there a such thing as a nicotine drip?

Some of the octegenarians in the casino looked as if they hadn't seen the light of day in years. At one point someone opened an emergency exit door and a bright flash of light filled the room. Almost immediately I heard shrieks and cries of fear and 3 people that were touched by the sunshine burst into flames and disintegrated- no one paused, no one looked away from their slot machines. Like zombies on a mission from hell these people were focused, and they were determined to accomplish their goal.

I started my gambling with the slot machines as Cody's mother Nita is often times a big winner on the slots. So I put my money in the machine and pushed the button and hoped for triple 7. After a very short while I determined that slot machines are about as much fun as being covered in honey and hog-tied to a fire ant bed. Some people love it, but for me it was slow and very painful watching it take mine, and other people's money.

The Food
Nita got us comp meals the entire trip. The buffet was possibly one of the best and biggest I have ever seen. There were 8 different stations with food from around the world. Spaghetti, ribs, chicken, stir-fry, steak, shrimp, pork chops - it was a smorgasbord of culinary delights. Trying to be somewhat South Beach conscious I piled my first plate with meat only and one slice of garlic bread. I went back for a second plate of meat, and then I finished my meal with banana pudding and german chocolate cake. When it's free you just have to splurge! I ate so much that we went back to our room and while Cody slept, I did Yoga, I had to make room for dinner!

For dinner we went to Jack Binion's steak house - which is nothing like The Sizzler. Steaks begin at 26.oo dollars and went up to 45.00. Side items were 3.50 a pop. I had a filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli - again, I try to always eat something that is on my diet at every meal! The food was amazing and we finished with banana mousse and cheesecake with fresh rich cups of coffee.

The weekend was an eat fest, but it was still a great time.

How was your weekend?