It's Always An Adventure

This past week I actually had the opportunity to join Ron on one of his work trips.  This has never happened before as his trips always coincided with the fact that I too, was working.  As luck would have it, Ron was attending a conference in Las Vegas.  I was super psyched. I mean really, what fun things could there possibly be to do in Sin City??!! I was a Las Vegas virgin and was pumped to explore what the hype was all about. After all, my motto IS “It’s Always An Adventure…”

I dragged myself to the airport at the ungodly hour of 5:00 am and boarded the jam packed plane to Viva Las Vegas! Ron’s flight left three hours after mine AND he got to fly business class, but hey who was I to complain? I was going to Vegas. After an uneventful flight (the way I prefer it) and a gorgeous view of the Grand Canyon we arrived in steaming hot Nevada.  I had forgotten how hot the desert heat is, the kind of heat that takes your breath away as you exit the air conditioning.  But then I saw the palm trees and everything was right with the world.  Something about palm trees lowers the blood pressure and reminds you to relax.

Hello Palm Trees!

I mistakenly thought that it would be a good idea to take the shuttle bus to the hotel.  I waited for over 45 minutes in the heat and there was no bus in sight.  The crowd at the stop was getting larger and larger and the mood was getting ugly.  I quickly deduced that when the bus came, if I even had a chance of getting on, I would have to throw down with a nasty old blue hair and since I was on vacation, trying to chill out, I didn’t see that happening ;).  So, at the end of my patience rope, I invited a couple near me to join me in my cab (my treat) since we were both going to the same place.  We had been chatting in line (on line) and they seemed like nice guys. The three of us hopped into a cab New York style and we were soon at our destination, The Paris Hotel. In true pay-it-forward karma Kenny and Jay ended up being Diamond Club members and they were able to have me check in with them at the elite travellers area AND our room was up-graded significantly.  A BIG thank you to Kenny and Jay- we still owe you champagne.

While I waited for Ron, I explored the Paris Hotel. It reminded me of Disney World for adults.  The interior of the hotel was done up like a street scape of Paris; including storefront images, cafes, fake cobblestone streets and even a clear blue starry ceiling. Throughout the hotel and casino french “musique” was piped in.  There was even authentic cigar and cigarette smoking in the casino area, something you definitely have to get used to when you are coming from first, smoke-free Ottawa and then smoke-free New York.  And of course, who could forget, the piece de resistance: The Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower in front of The Paris Hotel, Las Vegas

Ron arrived and we were able to explore the Strip and check out the sights and sounds of Vegas.  There was soo much to look at, the analogy that kept running through my mind was that the Strip of Vegas is very similar to Times Square.  It is a flashy, gawdy area filled with lost tourists, restaurants, shows of all kind, street performers, upscale and discount stores as well as the promise that you really can get anything you want, including if you believe the men on the corner “girls delivered to you in twenty minutes”.  Drinks around the clock, gambling 24/7, washed out performers (hello, Donny & Marie), excess, seedy underground, everything to the extreme. In short, exactly how I expected it to be.  Ron and I had a blast.

Margaritaville

Drinks for Two!

Really? Does anyone else find it weird that they don't age???!!!

Ron did have to work which left me with lots of time on my own to explore.  I visited the numerous Casino’s/Resorts along the Strip including The Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, Aria, Mandarin Oriental, MGM Grand and of course, New York, New York. Both the Mandarin Oriental and The Aria are beautiful new hotels in the new City Centre Complex and have gorgeous amenities.  For old school fun, MGM Grand is huge and has the classic feel of the casino you see in the movies.  MGM Grand also has an incredible social media team.  I jokingly tweeted from MGM that I was lost and that I would gladly take help from a sugar daddy or hot CSI’s. Within the half hour I received a message via twitter  from MGM asking if I had found my way around and if I needed any other further assistance.  Wow, I am still blown away by this!

New York, New York is a similar type of hotel to the Paris, it is done up to look like the streets of Manhattan.  Both The Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace are stunning hotels/casino’s filled with high end shopping and dining.  It is tempting to spend A LOT of money in Vegas 🙂

Caesar's Palace (it always makes me giggle because I think of "The Hangover")

The Mighty MGM Grand

The Aria

The View of The Bellagio from Our Room

New York, New York =)

Some of the highlights of the Vegas trip for me were some very un-Vegas like things.  I enjoyed the down time.  I lounged by the pool. I read my book.  I avoided line ups and crowds of touristy things to do.  I went to the spa at Caesar’s Palace, called Qua.  It was incredible.  I spent the morning there after my massage enjoying the hot/cold tubs, steam room, sauna and lounge.  Basically I took a break and spent some time with me and my husband.  Yes, I enjoyed Las Vegas. But I have to admit, I think what I really enjoyed was a few days alone with myself and Ron, chilling out and remembering how to enjoy my own thoughts and each other’s company. It has been a bit of a stressful time over the last six months and it was nice to just take a breather.  Even if at times it was hot, hot, smoky desert air.  Will I be going back to Vegas anytime soon?  Who knows? What happened in Vegas, helped to restore some of my sanity and for that, everyone is grateful.  Thank you, thank you very much.

I leave you with THE KING.