Yosemite, Tahoe, Reno... Oh my! Part 3

Finally... Reno.

I didn't forget.

I've been to Reno before. I've been there plenty of times. This time was different. This time had a story. When Rami first came to America back in 2000 he first came to Reno. He attended the University of Reno for the first six months. He lived in a nice little apartment paying only $450 a month. At night he strolled the streets as a security guard. He knew the best buffet (the one in the El Dorado casino). He loved his time in Reno but he was also very lonely. Being 18 and all alone in a strange country is not easy. Unfortunately being an international student is crazy expensive so once the semester was over he left Reno behind to pursue some work in Louisiana. He stayed there for five years before coming to California for a new job. He met me six months later. And as they say: The rest is history.

So Reno. Reno. Reno. Reno... The biggest little city. I've always known it for it's hotels and casinos. I remember Circus Circus from when I was a kid. Somehow it's not as magical as an adult. And the casinos? Gross. I can't stand how people are allowed to smoke indoors. We had to pass through the casinos to get to the buffet at El Dorado. We smelled like cigarettes. Ugh, it was awful. What wasn't awful was the newly renovated buffet and $10 special for dinner. Woohoo, score! Traveling on the weekend is so overrated. The food was amazing. I was tempted to take a picture of my plate but decided against having any evidence of that calorie monster of a meal. Once Rami saw my plate I immediately blurted out, "I eat healthy all year round. Just let me have some fun!" Why do buffets make us crazy?

The next day was really nice. After breakfast we walked to the campus. It was literally a few blocks away. What a totally different scene. The campus is beautiful. School was obviously in session so there were students all over the place. Jenin kept running around, zig-zagging her way through the crowds. It was the cutest thing because some of the students got these huge smiles on their faces as they tried to avoid colliding with her. I was a bit envious of the students. I thought about what it would have been like to go away to college. To study at such a beautiful campus. To be young again. Sigh.

I kept imagining young Rami walking around that campus. Having no one. Then coming back after all those years with his wife and family. He's come such a long way.

Slightly off subject: Dear Starbucks, Please don't open locations on college campuses. Let the campus coffee shop thrive amongst it's students. You have enough locations every where else. {End rant} We got some coffee from the campus' coffee shop. A white mocha with a shot of raspberry. I swear it tasted SO much better than anything I've ever ordered at Starbucks.

After our walk around campus we promised Jenin that she could waste a ton of money for a couple of dinky dollar store toys play at Circus Circus. She "won" a small teddy bear, a flower, and 3 Tootsie Rolls. At least she enjoyed herself. We all did. Hopefully we'll be back soon.

Forgot to mention:

A motorcycles convention was coming to town that weekend. The streets were FILLED with Harleys. I haven't seen so much leather in all of my life.

Rami's apartment was still for $450 a month.

I went to Savers! Haha! I heard so much about that thrift store on a few blogs that I made Rami stop so I could go in. Glad I did. I came out with my souvenir for the trip. $10 for this table. Not bad. Can't wait to spray paint it and get a new piece of glass or plexi for it.