LAS VEGAS INTERNATIONAL — I’m taking advantage of the free wifi while I’m waiting for my flight. It’s 65 degrees, sunny and damn windy in Sin City. On Christmas Day, temps made it up to the 70’s and I was in heaven. I met up with Mark, my parents, my Auntie Evelyn and Mita at Ate’ Gigi’s place for the holidays.
A White Christmas is overestimated. I’m happy we spent our holidays in the desert, under the sunshine and I missed this weather so much.
My dad cooked us some yummy food: chicken adobo, pansit, lumpia, prime rib. That was my second helping of prime rib for the that weekend. On Christmas Eve, Auntie took us out to Morton’s Steakhouse, just off of Paradise and Koval. Mark had this tasty Cajun rib-eye and you could taste the flavor straight through the bone. I also satisfed my craving for raw oysters. Oh so good.
It was a joy to be with Mark after our two week separation. I felt so lonely and it all melted away once he hugged me at the airport. I’m grateful he believes in me and he’s willing to telecommute to Berkeley from Kansas. Tomorrow, he’s planning on loading up an SUV with our stuff from storage and drive back to Topeka. I pray he has a safe trip.
I texted folks Merry Christmas and got some replies back. I caught up with my skating buddy yesterday afternoon. She’s heading to Iraq next month and I gave her my love and support. I may not see her or any of my skating friends on a regular basis, but we have a bond that reaches beyond distance and time. We’re still close and willing to do anything for each other.
Grr…just found out my flight’s been delayed by an hour. It’s going to be about midnight by the time I drive home to Topeka. C’est la vie.
On Christmas Eve, my cousin Jennie told Scott proposed on the beach near Coronado. I was in the middle of shopping at Fry’s and I teared up at the good news. They’re going to be so happy together.
After our Christmas lunch, Mark and I took a gondala ride at the Venetian. Ever since that hotel opened, I’ve wanted to do one of these boat rides. We got tickets for the outdoor gondala ride. It felt more intimate than the indoor one that winds through the canals by the shops and bars. It was way crowded inside the hotel and for the first time in my memory, cigrette smell nearly overwhelmed the canal shop area.
On our gondala ride, the female pilot serenaded us with O Solo Mio and that spagetti tune from “Lady and the Tramp.” We had to share the boat with another couple but it was still relaxing and the pilot made us feel quite special.
We met up with Bijan and his LA buddy at the bar next to Cleopatra’s Barge in Caesar’s. He’s in town for the Perisan dance scene and planned on heading to Miami for New Year’s. He’s swamped with Med school and it was nice to seem him unwinding in Sin City.
After Caesar’s we tried to check out the Christmas garden at Bellagio…way too many people in that town. It was around 9pm at night and tourists dragged their toddlers and kids through the Vegas sidewalks. Sometimes I wonder if those parents have their kids’ best interest at heart as they force them to wait for them by the hotel’s lobby as they get their slot machine fix.
My dad got us into the Diamond Lounge at Harrahs for free appetizers and drinks. It was quite nice to be in a cozy lounge without the blinking lights and slot machines.
Then I woke up at around 4 this morning with serious case of diarrhea. Grrr…it was like peeing out my bunghole and it hurt. Mark ended up waking up and heading to CVS for some Immodium AD. A lifesaver! Then I puked up the rest of dinner inside Ate’ Gigi’s restroom. Thank heavens I didn’t miss the toilet. Mark woke up with a bit of a hangover and became my puking buddy. I can smell other passenger’s pizzas, sandwiches and snacks and it’s torture. I don’t want to take a chance with my stomach on any solids. I forced myself on a diet of water, tea and diet coke. My stomach felt better after burping from the soda.
I was sad to leave Mark, but I feel better knowing I’ll see him again this week.
« Hide it
