Vegas, Baby!

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I just got back from a trip of a lifetime... well, I wouldn't really call it that, but it was a place I had always wanted to see.  And now I have.  Rita and I have been talking about going to Vegas together for the past 3-4 years and finally we decided that this was the year.  So now I can check it off my list.... Been there, done that.  Doing it again?? Probably not, unless somewhere down the road, Rodger wants to go (insert hysterical laughter...) or a bunch of girlfriends want to go and I don't want to miss out?  Anyway, it was fun, interesting, and I'm glad I went!

We went for 4 nights - 3 full days plus an evening.  We stayed in the Treasure Island hotel which was perfect for us.... in a great location, the price was right, it was clean and updated, not too big, and the pool area was nice.  Our hotel is also home to the Cirque du Soleil show "Mystere" which we went to see.... AMAZING!!

Rita and I had the same basic agenda.... no gambling, no shopping.... just wander and see the sights, maybe see a couple of shows, sit by the pool, eat good food, have a few drinks and people-watch.  That's exactly what we did.

Until you've been to Vegas, you can't really fathom how incredibly huge some of the hotels are, and how much walking you will do!!  It's kind of like Disneyland that way - you have to see it to believe it.

Some of my highlights:  The "theme" hotels, especially the Venetian, Paris, New York.... so cool to see!  Most of the time you think you are outside because they have the ceilings painted with blue skies and puffy clouds.  And it was nice to be indoors at times, because it was so hot outside!  (30 degrees every day.)  I loved watching the (slightly cheesy) gondola boats floating by in the canals of Venice, loved the little cobblestone streets of Paris and having a drink in the Eiffel Tower one evening.  We took a break from the heat and drank a cold coffee in New York - I think we were in Brooklyn?  So cool!  You kind of forget where you are sometimes - so much to see and so many people to watch.

Another highlight was seeing the Cirque du Soleil show (seriously, amazing!!) and another show called "Vegas, the Show".  I also really enjoyed going on the "High Roller" ferris wheel.  We went during the day so we could see beyond the strip... and we also had one of those large pods to ourselves because it wasn't as busy as in the evening (when most people want to see all the lights of the strip).

We sat at the pool for most of the day on Monday which was very relaxing.  It was great to take a break from the busyness of the strip and the aimless wandering..... there were palm trees, cool drinks and a great pool... and more people watching of course.

There were other highlights, such as the gorgeous flowers in the Wynn hotel, the fountains and sculpture ceiling in the Bellagio that was made out of glass flowers... I could go on.  Just crazy, over the top stuff.

My friends have been asking me "So, was it everything you thought it would be?"  Yes, it was.  And it was better, actually.  I was expecting very dark, super smoky casinos, crazy people on the strip, shocking behaviour or things I wouldn't be able to "unsee".  But it wasn't that bad.  Sure, there was still alot of smoke in the casinos but they had good ventilation. Yes, the casinos went on and on and on.  Yes, there were people walking the streets at 10:00 am with a yard-size drink in their hand (because they can in Vegas).  There were scantily clad show girls trying to get tips for photos, homeless people with their signs "Not gonna lie, I need weed."  But we weren't out late and didn't see the craziness that I'm sure was all around.... we never felt unsafe and it was basically just people just having a good time.  Enjoying the freedom of Vegas I guess.

It is good to be home.  Back to my normal, boring, crazy life.  :-)

P.S.  Mom.... you'll be happy to know I didn't gamble... not a cent.  Even Grandpa can't say that!! :-)  I thought of them alot while I was there because they were the first people I ever knew to go to "Sin City" and I was always surprised by that.... and a little intrigued.  I would've gambled if I could've used pennies and had a plastic cup to catch all my winnings... but it's all automated now. Boring.