Vegas!!
We headed to Sin City at the end of June to join other folks from my high school for a 10 year reunion, along with celebrating the end of Ruth's 3rd year of med school and a quick getaway before our one year wedding anniversary. Tickets to Vegas are ridiculously expensive on the weekends, but we were fortunate that Ruth's dad had some extra Southwest vouchers that we used. It was the first time I had ever flown the airline and I was somewhat dreading it since we had to make a quick stop each way, but I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with their efficient turnaround, although it did mean we had to fly the wrong way for about an hour towards San Antonio first. It's no wonder that Southwest is doing fairly well in an industry that has fallen on hard times.
We decided to rent a car for some added flexibility and given the high price of gas, we of course opted for... a white Prius! It was nice to cruise around in a familiar vehicle and we spent the initial night watching our first Cirque du Soleil show, <<O>>. It was pretty spectacular as a bunch of different acts performed over a water-filled stage. At first I thought there was some cryptic storyline that I wasn't artistically knowledgeable enough to follow, but now I'm pretty sure it was just a bunch of different acts strewn together. In any event, it was pretty cool.
It was Ruth's first time in Vegas, so we drove down the Strip for her to check out the various resorts and casinos. It was oppressively hot, so we pretty much actually only ventured into the nearby Bellagio and Caesars. We couldn't pass up the photo op at Caesar's, but it looks pretty ridiculous.
Saturday evening was the main organized event, but we met up with some friends earlier in the day for the Bellagio brunch. It was decent, but I must have had unrealistic expectations because I left unsatisfied. We even stopped by the Wynn's brunch buffet on Sunday before we left for the airport and it was about the same.
Finally at the main event, we had a little over 50 attendees, which wasn't too bad for a class of 180 that graduated in Singapore. It was a little embarrassing that there was at least one time I introduced myself to someone thinking they were a guest, but had in fact been in our graduating class. Then again, I was slightly consoled that Jordan made the same mistake :) Although I had seen a lot of folks at our wedding last year, it was nice to catch up with some that I hadn't seen for a couple years and others since high school. I guess everyone is still pretty much the same at a 10 yr reunion (like I'm still taking undergrad classes), but I'm sure another 10 years will do the trick.
I managed to chow down on a few double doubles for an In N Out fix, but unfortunately didn't have any extra time to find a card room to play some poker. Ruth was also sad that she missed out some of the other opportunities in Vegas so perhaps we'll have to make a return trip...
I'm getting behind on the blogging so will have to post about anniversary in a few days...


6 Comments:
I think the curry challenge stretched your stomach. How do you leave a Vegas buffet unsatisfied?
Where'd you guys stay?
"You mean dissatisfied." <- can you name the movie?
The buffet didn't impress you? What did you expect, Google food?
Chang, Jer, and I ate at the Monte Carlo buffet. It was mediocre. The hotel does have cheaper blackjack tables than the other places, for lowrollers like me. Plan another trip out to Vegas. I'll go, and we can hustle at the poker tables. Scratching my left eye brow means pocket rockets.
Better yet, plan a trip out to the Bay Area. Though I guess you'll be headed out here for interviews soon enough.
We stayed at the Westin with some group rate where the event was. I guess I did expect Google food. I did of course stuff myself silly, but the quality and diversity was just so-so. Sushi was terrible.
Well, if we do Vegas, we should make sure both you and Jer can make it, because really, what better place for Part II than at a Vegas buffet...
steve milano
Post a Comment
<< Home