Friday, December 01, 2006

What happens in Vegas.....

I was in Las Vegas all this week to attend a work conference. I didn't leave all my money on the table, but rather at the M&M World megastore. Vegas is fun in small doses, but I think I'll need a week for my lungs to clear out from all that secondhand smoke and for my ears to stop ringing from the sound of the slot machines.

I was up early each morning to run and mostly stuck to the strip. If you think the Vegas strip is interesting at night you should see it at 6 am in the morning. You've got your hardcore runners (I guess I'm in that group), the all-nighters, sleazy dudes riding around on kid bikes (?), hotel workers vacuuming the astro turf, "average American" middle-agers who are keeping to their early rising routine, the night-shifters clocking out.... And there are the undefinables. Take for instance the couple that looked like staid fundamentalists, out in their Sunday best, with the woman wearing what looked to be a homemade dress, buttoned up to her chin. I spent a few miles pondering their story.

It's good to be home, back to the clean air, back to the green landscape, and of course, back to the trails.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your morning run down the Vegas strip sounds like a strange trip, it's a interesting scene out there at 6am, and yes those slot machines where ringing in my head for days too = ) Enjoy the trails!

Viva Las Vegas

Anonymous said...

Mr. Anonymous here, sorry I'm having trouble with this new beta blogger stuff!

Olga said...

I didn't like those few morning runs in Vegas exactly because of all of this. Mornings are so opposite from the couple hours before, and it suddenly dirty around at sunrise, and quiet, and weird dreesed people walking slow...

Jessica DeLine said...

I can't WAIT to see it at 6AM next Sunday :)

Backofpack said...

I can honestly say Vegas is one place I have no desire to visit. It's always nice to get home, but sounds especially so this time!

Unknown said...

I enjoy Vegas in small doses as well. It's good to get a different perspective on life every once in awhile. I could not imagine being amongst that atmosphere daily.

Rick Gaston said...

Vegas. I love it in small doses as well. I can't imagine running in it though. In the old downtown there's the Hotel California that is frequented by people from Hawaii. I lived in Honolulu for 10 years so I always stop by and see the good people from our 50th state when I'm in town. I soak in all the pidgin, the mumus and Hawaiian food.

Stephanie said...

I was in Vegas a couple of years ago when my hubby was on a buisness trip. We put ouselves on a diet and hit gold's gym every day...it was so much fun. It all depends what you make out of it.

Sarah Elaine said...

Never been to Vegas, myself.

But it is funny how a change of scenery changes your perspective on things, eh?

Joe said...

Vegas...ugh. 6am is about the right time to be on the strip. Good for you.

Insightful...every person DOES have his/her story. To be interested in that story is a huge gift to anyone.

Thanks, Sarah, for being interested.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah,

Ya not a big fan of VEGAS either but I would like to FLY in put $5,000 on black (roulette) WIN/ double UP!! and then FLY out or maybe go hang out at Lake Meade with friends & family for a few days.

Cya, Bob

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah,

I just made a POST on FOOOD, what you Runners like to EAT. What gives you the FUEL your body needs!

If you can stop by when you get a chance and share a little bit on what ENERGIZES you that would be great...or anyone READING this--LOL

Lot's to learn here but WILL learn it and DO IT,

Bob

Darrell said...

My brother-in-law lived in Vegas for a few years. We could never visit without spending a small fortune on M&M's. Its the one place we could take the boys (I guess I'm a prude). Did you get any dark chocolate M&M's, yummy!