New Year's Eve in Vegas

So the family came and went. That's about how fast it seemed to me anyway. If there's one thing I regret about this cavalier lifestyle is that we are far away from family. (How can cavalier mean chivalrous at the same time as it means carefree and arrogant?) In any case, I hope we see them all again soon.

On New Year's Eve, our much reduced family of three decided to check out the Strip. Police blocked off the Las Vegas Boulevard from Sahara to Tropicana, as well as the corresponding highway exits. We had made reservations at The Capital Grille at the Fashion Show Mall, which overlooks Las Vegas Boulevard. Getting to the parking garage that was open for the occasion was a bizarre series of encounters with mall security, who would check a clipboard and wave us on.

Anyway, after dinner, we walked down the closed off Strip. This was fun for about 3/4 mile, until Zorah got tired and wanted to be carried. This was okay for the additional 1/2 mile we walked to the intersection of Flamingo. At that point, Z was about done, and Brian had to use the facilities, so I parked myself against one of the police barricades holding Zorah. At that intersection, on the east side of the Strip was total chaos. It looked like a mosh pit.

More curious was the group of fundamentalist Christians waving their banners about sin, redemption, and accepting Jesus as your personal savior. The contrast between them and the naked shadowdancer right behind them in the casino window was such a great summarization of Vegas. I tried to take a picture, but I was holding a sleepy Zorah at the same time.

What surprised me wasn't the fact that they were doing there thing in the middle of the Strip on New Year's Eve but the anger and hostility with which they were met. They were cursed, berated, and mocked. One woman had one of her friends hoist her up so that she could get a photo giving Jesus the bird. Did seeing the Christians make them feel guilty? Was it just too much of a buzzkill on New Year's Eve? Doesn't that sound absolutely ridiculous as a reason?

When Brian finally got back from the bathroom, we walked the 1 1/2 miles back to the car. I wish we had a stroller. Zorah did wake up in time for the fireworks, so we pulled over behind the Strip to watch them, then went home and went to bed.

Happy New Year!