This is in response to Sis' COLD entry. Vegas was a chilly 43 degrees when we left, not including wind chill. Okay, when we landed, the captain said it was 78 degrees here in paradise. It's a good thing we layered clothes; it was hot when we landed and even hotter in the baggage claim. We've discovered why Hawaiian Air has the best on-time record. They get you on and off the plane pretty quickly, but we waited almost one hour for our baggage to come off the plane. I'm ahead of myself... Back to the Vegas report.
Landed in Vegas without any problems. Got to our hotel: the Excalibur. It is a fastly dying dinosaur of a hotel amongst the brightest and shiniest of the Vegas giants. Dingy, dark and dungeon-like, it smelled of stale cigarette and broken dreams. The waitresses are not Vegas' finest (middle-aged, possibly former Vegas beauties) and the machines were old and tired. The rest of the strip was it's usual: Millions of bulbs draining our electricity supply, cheesy men standing every 10 feet trying to get you to the strip clubs, young men looking for action, and girls in short skimpy dresses (despite the 40-degree weather outside). I didn't see too many young children while we were wandering about the city, but that could possibly be because it was fricking cold and it was late (one evening we returned to our hotel room after 1:00 a.m.). We wandered through endless miles of casinos and shops. It was great. Ate my Ben & Jerry's (pumpkin cheesecake-- Yum). Bought a new Coach bag (it was on sale). Went to Trader Joe's. Consumed way too much fast food and Krispy Kreme donuts (I love the pumpkin spice cake donut). Had a brief visit with my mom and got to see my aunty, uncle and cousin in the car when she left. I did walk away from the casino a winner. I fed a machine $4 and it gave me $70 in return. That's pretty much all the gambling I was allowed. When we go back to Vegas next month I will have more time to play.
Did I say next month? Yes I did. I get to go in about a month again to Vegas. We're thinking about staying in the same hotel or NY, NY. It was old, but we grew familiar with the surroundings and it's close to the Luxor which is where Chris is staying while she gets married. Still don't have hotel room, but we have our plane tickets. Am leaving C-Man at home with Grandpa. Anxiety much? I've never spent the night away from him. Will have to prepare him for the separation and hope for the best. He will be so mad at me for going on an airplane without him.
Anyway, the trip was refreshing. I love to get away. Even more than getting away, I love to come home. I love that first glimpse of the ocean as we emerge from the tunnel to the windward side. I love greeting my dogs. I love taking that first shower to wash away the grime of travel. My skin is dry and cracking. My face will start to peel as the epidermis sloughs away the effects of harsh mainland weather and water from my skin. Sort of like being reborn. I feel happy to be home and to live in such a beautiful place. Last nite, after visiting MO (it was a happy reunion), I glanced up into the perfect sky and saw all the brightness and glitter we need. No clouds, an absent moon and Orion's belt (one of the few constellations I can recognize) and a million stars await. It was cold and breezy, but perfect.
This morning I awoke and my dreams of paradise are smashed. I have the reality of cleaning up Christmas, unpacking, laundry, clutter and mayhem. [sigh]
My mood: happy to have the day off for recovery efforts
