Page 38 - Issues131-133

nice things in the auction, it felt like there were more buybacks on some of the more valuable
items.
There was more visiting going on as we had not seen these bottle collecting friends in over a
year and everything was done much earlier than usual, which meant more people getting
together in the hotel bar afterwards. The next day show set up was pretty much as usual
with some dealing going on just fewer tables and the show had its early morning rush (not
much of one though) and then died down in the afternoon. The hospitality suite was much
emptier than normal (which made it easier to have conversations) and Sunday’s show was
shorter than usual with most people packed up by 11. I think Pete and I were the only
people from the show that also spent Sunday night at the hotel.

Now My Show Experience
My show started before I even got on the plane to St. Louis. I received a
phone call from the Tel Aviv airport, more specifically from the duty free
shop. Rotem had found a travel exclusive pack of 3 Talisker Single malts.
A picture followed and did I want him to pick me up one. Why yes I did.
While on the plane I spent time texting with Rotem as he had arrived in St.
Louis and was waiting our arrival. Once we got in we met up went for
dinner in the Westport complex then decided to head out and go bottle
hunting prior to our normal bottle hunting day Friday. Went to a Total wine
and Pete found a vodka he
needed, we headed back to
the hotel and exchanged bottles we had brought for each
other. At this point I had already added about 25 bottles
to my collection from what Rotem had brought me.

Next morning we started with a strange request, would it
be possible to stop at Trader Joes to get some things for
Rotem to take back to his wife. Sure, so we found a trader
Joes and then went to breakfast. We noticed a liquor

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