My blogging hiatus of the last 10 days involved preparation for, travels to, and recovery from Las Vegas. The actual trip was Nov. 24-27. I met my cousin Kat at the Vegas airport on Thanksgiving Day. She came from Seattle; I flew from Missoula via Allegiant Air, a private airline that offers cheap, direct flights to Vegas. After a solid week of Missoula fog, I was nervous about getting out, but we did. I was fortunate to have good flights both ways.
We stayed at the Mirage, a South Seas-style hotel/casino complex in the heart of the Strip. It was my first trip to Las Vegas. I'd been wanting to go since my 21st birthday, so it was only a 17-year wait. I celebrated my 38th birthday Friday.
Highlights:
- Eating enough prime rib to last me at least a year.
- Swimming, soaking and lounging at the Mirage pool. (Even if it was a bit chilly.)
- The free strawberry daiquiris with whipped cream in the Mirage casino.
- The Cirque du Soleil show, "Ka," which had amazing sets and awe-inspiring acrobatics.
- Laughing with comedienne Rita Rudner at New York-New York.
- Getting custom-fitted for a toe-ring at Cleo's in the Stratosphere.
- Lovely "Goddess" jewelry from Kat for my birthday.
- The fantastic sky-painted ceilings and Roman sculptures in the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. (Pictures to come.)
- Servers and retail clerks that were often surprisingly friendly and helpful.
- The $10 store in Treasure Island. (Whooo!)
- Realizing I'm not cut out to be a gambler, because I quickly grew bored with losing money.
- Spotting the spectacular Bellagio fountains from the taxicab window Friday night.
Low points:
- Waiting in the cold Saturday night for the Bellagio fountains, which ended up being canceled due to high winds.
- Two- to three-hour waits for the dinner buffet at the Mirage. (I like a good buffet, but not that much.)
- Getting stuck on the slow bus to hell.
- Sitting next to Perfume Overkill at one performance and Puke Breath at the other.
- Moronic tourists that don't know how to walk down a crowded sidewalk. (It's just like driving, people -- keep right, look before merging and don't stop or suddenly change directions in the middle of the road.)
Leaving behind the crowds and noise and glitz, and returning home with renewed gratitude for my quiet little cabin, snuggly kitties and the relative sanity of Montana.
8 Comments:
I can't believe I forgot this was happening. That's so very freaking cool. I've always wanted to go.
I love the idea of the glam -- the toe ring, the prime rib, the pool soaking, the drinks... and of course, Cirque, which I haven't seen, but my friends love.
There is still something amazing about coming home, though, mmm?
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! WOOOHOOO!
Happy Birthday! Can you believe I have never been to Vegas? I have traveled fairly extensively throughout the US and Europe, but have never made it to sin city. Maybe some day I will. I don’t really like to gamble, due to my cheapassness, but I would like to gawk at the sights and sounds.
And there is nothing as good as coming home. That is the best part of any vacation.
Hi from Canada, Patia! Happy Belated Birthday to you. If I read right, your birthday is Nov 25, the very same day as my husband's!
I have never been to Vegas, either, but I know exactly how you feel about coming home to the peace of your home in the bush. We live on an acerage just out of town and there is nothing better than looking out my kitchen window and seeing nothing but the forest and the occasional deer or pilated woodpecker. Do you have any pictures of your cabin on your web site? I would love to see it.
happy belated b-day, goddess!
the last time i visited vegas my highlight was definitely cirque's zumanity. wow, i'd go again and push my way thru the crowds just for that.
Been there done that. I stayed at the MGM. I went in June, 102 degrees and it felt it. It's like visiting another planet. It's one thing I don't need to do again. The Circe du Soleil shows ("O" and "Mystere") were well worth the visit.
Been there done that. I satyed at the MGM. The highlight was definitely the Circe du Soleil shows ("O" and "Mystere"). The trip was worth it just for that.
Thanks, y'all, for the birthday wishes.
Meg, yep, glam is fun for a change, but I wouldn't want to do it every day.
Nancy, "cheapassness?" Is that in the dictionary? ;-)
Hi Kathleen and welcome. Yes, Nov. 25. Your husband must be a very cool guy! If you click on any of the small images, you will be taken to my Furl photo archives, where you will find a few glimpses of the cabin.
Jennifer, I think Zumanity sounds wooooonderful. If I only had a boyfriend to see it with.
Mike, it IS like another planet. Lucky you, getting to see two Cirque shows in one trip!
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