Vegas took thirty-four dollars and 74 cents of our money. Considering the compulsive, impulsive, and addictive personalities of one or both of us, it could have been worse. (It also could have been better: a woman in the airport won $2,500 at a slot machine near us.) It was my first time in Vegas, and my first time gambling, period, and it was tough to walk away from those tricky slot machines. But once I won $1.26, I had to quickly stand up and throw in the towel.

Clint had been to Vegas twice, so he was our tour guide. We stayed in a truly horrifying hotel on the Strip (the old Boardwalk, which was actually in its last week of existence) and never ventured beyond the lights of Las Vegas Boulevard. Clint insisted on showing me Caesars Palace, Wynn, MGM Grand, Excalibur, and Luxor, so we walked. And we walked. And we walked until I had rubbed blisters so thick they would be there a week later. We didn't spend much time in any of them, and we weren't really at the casinos to drop serious cash, so we mostly took in the sights - and a few drinks.

The casino we did spend the most time in was the Wynn. Of all the stunningly large and elaborate buildings, this one was the flat-out glitziest. It was so glitzy that we paid 6 bucks for a pop in a cafe there. I felt overdressed, but only in the sense that I was wearing full-length pants and an actual shirt. We were at the Wynn to see Avenue Q - one of my favorites! We figured we'd be seeing a show, but after glancing at Celine Dion's show (tickets starting at $225), Thunder from Down Under male dancers, and some magic shows, dropping the cash for this one was an easy decision. I know the show, but the audience seemed really suprised and appreciative of the raunchy puppet humor.After the show, we walked back down the Strip toward our hotel and took in some more of sights before crashing at 2 am (the time change is rough going out west).

We were only on the ground for about 40 hours but how much time do you really need if you aren't there to gamble. All in all, a very interesting city, full of all types. I can't say that I quite understood all the hype I've always heard but definitely unique.