VEGAS!

I am trying to watch the presidential debate while writing, but it is difficult to pay attention, and also not throw things at the T.V. Anyway, here's what I did this past weekend!

I had casually mentioned that the next girl's weekend could be in Las Vegas back in August, when Andrea (my sister in-law) immediately jumped into action! She arranged the nicest weekend for us girls (Andrea, me, Sunny-step sister in-law, Cherie-my mom, and Denise-Andrea's mom). Through Stewart (Andrea's dad) she was able to procure a five star, five diamond hotel room at the Wynn Hotel. They hooked us up with free tickets to La Reve (circ-du-soliet like show), free meals, and VIP status! It was simply unbelievable. We can never go to Vegas again after this star treatment.

Well, I arrived Saturday morning and waited about 2 hours at the airport for Sunny and mom to get there. We got a taxi cab (my first ride with a female driver!) and headed to the hotel. We met Andrea and Denise there and got right to the check-in to recieve our VIP room keys. We sat down to eat lunch at the hotel's deli (delicious). Then, it was off to shop and see the strip. We got new sunglasses and headed down the strip to look through shops.

At one store, we happened upon a famous celebrity signing autographs. (sorry I can't say who or it will spoil someone's surprise) We shopped until we almost dropped. Back to the hotel and get a drink by the pool. Sunny and I were dying for a $1 margarita, so we headed back down the strip for one, but decided on two each. (hardly any alcohol though) We got ready for dinner and went down to join Andrea and Denise. I wore a new dress thanks to my generous mother!

We ate a great dinner at an Asian restaurant at the hotel and I nipped a head cold/sinus problem in the bud with my famous red wine cure. It worked like a charm and my nose dried up. Mom even noticed the difference in the puffiness of my nose. (for more information about this wonderful cure, just email me) Then, it was off to La Reve. How do I begin about this??? If you have seen a circ-du-soliet show before, this blew that "out of the water." It was a show using water, swimming, diving, acrobatics from the ceiling, dancing (in and out of water), and crazy cool costumes. I guess the best description is to say it is just like a Clive Barker book come to life. The people in it were so strong and agile it was beyond imagination. Let's just say that it was the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life. (and it was free!)

I was very tired/getting run down, so Sunny, mom and I went back to our room to go to bed. The hotel had turned down our beds with Belgian chocolate, put on classical music with a scenic background on the TV, turned the lights down, closed the drapes, put out slippers, and left us to slumber in perfect beds.

Sunday-we got up and ate breakfast (again free!) then it was off to go shopping again. We also went to see an art exhibit in Modernism at another hotel. I took lots of pictures of our hotel and also the strip. Not after too long, Sunny and I were jealous of people walking by with huge margaritas. So, in Paris we got gigantic Eiffel Tower shaped margaritas. Don't worry, there was virtually no liquor in them. I know this because both Sunny and I sucked them down pretty quickly and were able to walk/talk/think just fine. No problem what so ever.

We wanted to put in time at the hotel pool (this time in suits) so we headed there and only saw about 5 minutes of sun before the clouds took over and the sun went behind a building. However, the pool was heated, so we swam for a long while, and then went to the hot tub to really warm up.

Showers and dressing (black and white were aparently on the menu) before the best steak I have literally ever eaten in my life. I literally think if I died after that meal, it would be ok by me. The steak was melting in my mouth it was so perfectly rare and juicy, the egg plant was to die for, and the desert was rich and chocolately. I was in heaven when I added a glass of Pierre Joiet Champaign (which I have never had) and then a big deep dark Cabernet Sauvignon. :)

Then, off to the Orleans (Joshy would call it "the people's casino"). There was a huge difference here. It was off the strip, known for hosting the most locals, and was smoky, old, and very cool. We didn't feel poor there and felt that we could hang there and soak up the local culture. The cab driver insisted the slots were looser there too. We were there to see Dana Carvey (mom had found tickets!) and boy were we in for a treat. He was soooooooo funny. He blended current events while weaving in his old voices (church lady, bush, garth). His jokes kept us laughing the whole night. "Did you hear about the man with five penises? His pants fit like a glove." Now imagine that joke sung to an electric guitar while impersonating Bob Dylan. So funny!

Since the night was still somewhat young, we headed to Paris to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower to watch the Belagio's water show from above. Wow was that cool. Then, it was time to make our way back to the hotel. Whew.

Monday-we decided to take it easy on our last day. We leasurely got up and got breakfast near the pool and then sat by the pool for hours! Glorious sunshine. Andrea joined us for a while, then was the first to leave the pool. (Denise had actually left before breakfast even!) Sunny, mom and I lounged for a little while longer, went up and packed, and tried to hit the Beliagio one more time for the water show. But....stupid big city blocks and hot sun! We didn't get very far before we realized we would never make it in time, so we gave up and got some pizza and then headed to the airport.

sigh. I miss Vegas. I miss the star treatment. I miss all the girls. sigh....

Las Vegas