
the sunset view from our hotel room

our hotel from the plane … because I forgot to get a picture out front … Oldest Large Child asked for this picture!


the clowns at the begining of “O”. If you ever go to Vegas go see “O” simply amazing and breath taking!
In the Bellagio Hotel where we saw Cirque du Soleil “O” … this place was simply awesome! I really was nervous the murano glass light fixtures would fall on my head when we walked under them!



Now the ironically funny part of the trip. When arriving in Calgary on our way home, I wrote on my customs card that I spent $200 US dollars. I was in the US for four days and while that’s not an unrealistic amount, it was pretty much my whole amount. It included food, taxi’s, shoes, gifts, etc. As I am about 10 feet away from the doors at the last check point, I think it’s all good and I am not going to be stopped on my way out. Winsome01 was the person ahead of me and he isn’t being stopped, so it’s all good right? As Winsome01 is about to enter the airport proper, I get pulled aside. Before I can get his attention to say I have to go get searched, W01 is through the doors! I go over to the area where I am instructed and an officer comes out and asks me about the money I spent. I tell him I declared all the money I spent, in an effort to be very honest and it wasn’t only spent on gifts or things, but consumables. Then I’m asked about my camera … my “good” camera. With the very nice camera bag. And two lenses.
Now about my “good” camera … this is the last gift I ever received from my exhusband. My marriage may have ended in disaster, but this last gift has been well cared for and put to good use. I could not have gotten the pictures I have of the monsters playing soccer with out this camera. And if there is anything I can do most for my exhusband is make sure I get great pictures of his children for him. There are times I am afraid to take it out and more often I think I should get a different strap for it. One that wraps around wrist so I’m less likely to drop it (which I’m deathly afraid of!) if such a thing exists. Anyhow. I happen to know that the camera and all it came with was very expensive. More than I could ever afford or justify paying for a camera, a zoom lens, a tripod (which wasn’t with me this time) and a Lowepro camera bag. And because of this, it still looks brand new! Which is what caught the atention of the Customs officer when I declared only spending $200 in Las Vegas. However, what saved my tookas … I had pictures still on the memory card of my kids playing soccer … in the rain. So after having my luggage rummaged through … the officer seemed accepting of the fact that I wasn’t trying to smuggle something or get out of paying duty on the camera. Within 20 minutes I was on my way out in to the airport proper to find the waiting Winsome01 so we could head home!
Now I have a customs declaration card for the camera tucked in the camera bag … just in case I feel the need to cross the border again!
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