Trip off base

I was able to travel off base for the first time a few days back.  I was actually doing my off-base drivers training.   Before we are able to drive off-base we have to get training (during daylight and night time).  Anyway, we went to this mall called "villagio"  I know, sounds just like bellagio, and it seems like they were definitely trying to make it feel like a las vegas casino...not that there was any gambling, but it did feel just like walking around the forum shops at Caesars Palace.  Here are some pictures that I took

when you walk in, notice the sky ceiling and the comparison of the westerner and local dress

you know, because every mall needs a canal and a gondola

another must for a shopping mall in the middle of the desert...ice skating

in addition to everything else, there was a pretty full-up carnival inside the mall

as you can see it is a pretty amazing place.  for me the most eye-opening things were all of the kid activities, you could really see how family/kid oriented the locals are.  it made me very homesick for my little homies, i know they would have loved all the things for them at the mall.  it is also an extremely weird feeling going from on-base and all that goes along with that and driving 20 minutes away and feeling like you are back in the "real" world.