Aneya: Slot Machines

I know, I know, I'm not in Vegas anymore. The sultry dresses have been put away, the stilettos are in their rightful boxes, my makeup hasn't been touched in weeks. It's fine. It's probably good for me. I have to say I love Las Vegas for many reasons, but slot machines are not one of them. I never used to play when I was there (I opted for games with more human interaction, such as roulette or, my dad's favorite, baccarat). The music and noise gets old fast, and you just never win, so what's the point?

Well, you can imagine my dismay when, upon arriving in Santiago, I hear the familiar ringing of the slots in my ears. Where could this be coming from? Lauren and I discovered that first day, the many arcade/slot machines occupying the city streets. It's the oddest thing. The places are filled with machines- some slot, some arcade games like pinball. It's usually filled with men (obviously, women have other, more important things to do with their time) and it's about the only place open on a Sunday. The music is always blaring, usually some type of techno, and the machines are ringing, and you just want to get the hell out of there, fast.

Another weird thing about is them is that many are Disney related. There's the Aladdin one (pictured above) right near our apartment, there's a Scooby Doo one, all the Disney characters have one, really. Also, for some you have to be over 18 to play. To play a video game? That seems odd. Lauren saw one called "Pool Hall" which featured neither a pool, nor a hall.

There are real Casinos here too, which I'm dying to check out, just to compare to Las Vegas standards. But these weird hybrid arcade places? I'll pass, thanks.