Life In The Tunnels
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When I was in 7th and 8th grade – me and my friends would hang out in the storm drains. Weird? probably. The drains were tunneled under a street and served as the perfect hide out for us “bad kids” to smoke cigarettes and curse. The drains were fairly large, you would hunch over while walking but every several yards there would be an opening with a small area similar to a room – where the gutters would dump. The walls were graffiti filled – the stench was stinky but to us – it was like our own little world away from real life.
The drains led to many places. We didn’t have to walk the street to get anywhere – we could just make our way thru the tunnel system.
Our last trip down was an adventure. We had decided to light a big fire in the middle of this tunnel room. Except something happened. We didn’t think about the smoke. Sure the smoke went up and out the gutters, but still the room was full of it. I remember us running hunched trying to get out and then as we were leaving – we could hear the fire department investigating the situation. Whoops. (it was all concrete – no damage done)
We never did make it back down those tunnels. I always thoughts it was a fascinating underground world of our own, until we screwed it up and were too scared to return.
Tonight, I came across this article on people living in the storm tunnels in Vegas. How BRILLIANT. Despite there being a lot of drug addicts and what not – the idea to me sounds like an experience. And I LOVE experiences. The crazy thing is, if I had read this today and I didn’t have the husband that I have, the kids that call me Mom and this baby growing in my belly – I would totally do this. Crazy, yes. Fun? Imagine the stories you would have and the opportunities to learn from other people!
But reality kicks in. I live in Suburbia. We have 22 years left on our mortgage. I have 3 kids and a husband I love dearly. I have a great job and circle of friends. As much as Vegas calls my name, I have to say “Sorry, I can’t come live in your tunnels, I ended up with a normal life and crazy enough – I enjoy it.” Oh, and that slight gambling addiction I have – might be another reason not to move there. But a girl can dream…
LOVEBIRDS Steven and Kathryn share a well-organised home in bustling Las Vegas.
They have a neat, if compact kitchen, a furnished living area, and a bedroom complete with double bed, wardrobe and bookshelf featuring a wide selection including a Frank Sinatra biography and Spanish phrase book.
And they make their money in some of the biggest casinos in the world.
But their life is far from the ordinary.
Because, along with hundreds of others, the couple are part of a secret community living in the dark and dirty underground flood tunnels below the famous strip.
Rather than working in the bars or kitchens they “credit hustle”, prowling the casinos searching the fruit machines for money or credits left by drunken gamblers.
Despite the risks from disease, highly venomous spiders and flooding washing them away, many of the tunnel people have put together elaborate camps with furniture, ornaments and shelves filled with belongings.
Steven and girlfriend Kathryn’s base – under Caesar’s Palace casino – is one of the most elaborate. They even have a kettle and a makeshift shower fabricated out of an office drinking water dispenser.+
