On Our Return :: February 26th, 2002 ::
Jessamyn and I got back from Las Vegas on Saturday. What follows is a short, slightly rambling description of our time there.
Walking the Las Vegas strip in the afternoon, Jessamyn and I were overcome by the smell of mesquite. Though it probably was coming from a single source, from a barbecue joint or maybe a Tex-Mex restaurant, it seemed to me the smell was in the air, all around us, originating from the city itself, from culture of consumption that showed itself in the blinking lights, in the chorus of a million chiming, unrelenting slot machines. I imagine that if we have a distinct smell to people from other countries, it is something like this.
This trip marked my first trip to Las Vegas. Flying in, I had slight fears that once I got to town an as-yet-unknown gambling problem would suddenly make itself known once I got the opportunity to lay some money down. It would only make sense, really: being unemployed, I would be lured in by the prospect of staving off my job search with a few big wins at some high-risk game I only vaguely understood. Then I would lose all my money making foolish bets at the sports book or playing some dice game I hardly understood, all in the hopes of never having to work again.
Luckily, none of that happened. In fact, the only loss either Jessamyn or I incurred was the $5 we lost playing nickel slots.
We were in town for a wedding, which was wonderful. Though neither I nor my girlfriend have any matrimonial plans, I find I am touched by the ceremony of marriage, of people making a commitment to each other. There is a feeling of respite, of sanity in watching it all happen. The ceremony we attended, held in a suite at the Venetian Hotel and Casino, was quiet, intimate, and wonderful. It was a great reason to go down to the city.
And finally, here are some pictures from our trip. As as usual, the captions should provide enough context.
Getting back on Saturday left Sunday open for us to continue our ongoing walking tour of the city. Which of course means more pictures of Seattle for you.
