Shore Leave

While we were tied up to the pier, while not on watch, we could go ashore. There was a beer garden on the pier, and the drinking age was 18.  I spent a lot of time there. BEER GUD. UGH!  

Every second or third weekend we could get shore leave. We could go ashore, leave the pier and explore San Juan.  For some of the guys this naturally included a trip or two to the local brothels. (Again, I was still too scared).

I did find a casino on shore and found out how to lose my hard earned money.

Not a very pleasant experience. I quickly learned about the phrase, “The house always wins in the long run".  With me, the house won about 99% of the time. I found out gambling wasn't for me. 

It’s funny, but on the way back to New London, I learned of an illegal casino operating on board our ship in one of the workspaces.  It was open to people only by invitation. 

I became friends with the guy operating the games, and he asked me if I wanted to make some extra money dealing for him.  I readily agreed and started making money at the tables instead of losing it.  The casino stayed open when we got back to New London, because Connecticut did not have legalized gambling yet. I continued dealing for the guy the rest of my time on the ship.