Sizzling in Sin City

VACATION IN VEGAS – July ‘08
I visited my best friend from high school, Lucy, last month in Vegas. It was nice to catch up with Lucy and hear about the men in her life, her work and what she’s been up to. The woman is an inspiration. She’s started her own side business teaching Zumba. Kudos to you Lucy!

It was the first vacation for myself that I’ve in taken in I don’t even remember how long. It was purely therapeutic! It was great to get away for a week and just relax. It’d been too long, since my last vacation. It was sizzling in Sin City at over 100 degrees every day!

BRANDON
Lucy nannies for two children-- a 3 yr old and a 5 year old. I got to meet Brandon one day. He is the cutest thing. His smile is the best. It was funny, because he told Lucy when they were coming to over to her apt that he wasn’t going to talk to me. I didn’t know that at the time. When he came I was asking him so many questions, though, he really didn’t have a choice. He ended up being quite a talker. A really sweet boy! He kept calling me Mimi. It was cute.

HIGHLIGHTS
While I was there we treated ourselves to nice splurges:

Pedicure
I had never a pedicure before. It’s just something I’ve always done myself. I now realize it also looks like I do it myself. Lucy was getting her nails redone, so while I was waiting I thought, “What the heck?!” I decided to have pedicure.

I had to smile to myself as all the employees were Asian and on one wall were two large flatscreen TV’s playing music videos. I thought about taking a picture of the lady that did my feet. She was looking rather hoochy with a tight top pushing her cleavage together and a bra with clear straps. She was really sweet. I think she thought I was a piece of work in that I wanted to take a picture of me getting a pedicure.

On the opposite wall from the TV’s were a line of cushioned chairs with little troughs of water attached at the base of the chair. It was great! Your feet soak in warm, jetted water while the chair massages your back. I was thoroughly enjoying myself. I had the chair massage my back and neck the whole time. There was a man in a Mariner’s shirt that was getting a foot massage. He had been having the massagers going earlier, too. I thought it was a bit funny to see a guy getting his feet done in a salon. Now I understand though. It’s a piece of heaven!!!

Here is a picture of my pedicured foot. They’re looking pretty fine if I do say so myself. Wish I could always say that.

Dinner at Fleming’s
One night Lucy and I went out for a nice steak dinner. It was so good. I got a 12 oz filet mignon. Lucy got a 16 oz prime rib. We got a side of sautéed mushrooms, Asian infused snap peas, and garlic mashed potatoes. It was delicious. I’ve never spent so much on a meal before. It was $63 just for me! I only had ice water, too. We figured it’s okay to treat yourself though from time to time though.

Lucy cracked me up. She had an apple martini. She was already tired after having just coming back from teaching her Zumba class. (After going to her class myself, I can see why! I’ve never sweat so much in a long time. I had two left feet! It was fun though! Plus, a great workout.) The drink made her even more tired. I thought she was going to fall asleep right there at the table. Once we got some of the food though, she was fine. She doesn’t drink though. Really…like Lucy says, “I don’t drink.” Obviously. LOL.

Spa Day at the Marriot Resort

This was my favorite day of the trip! We booked ourselves for back, neck and shoulder massages. It was pure heaven! I haven’t felt that relaxed in forever-- if ever!!! We checked in around 10:00 am. The massage included access to their spa area. It had a detox series. There are these waterfall showers. The water comes down so hard it hurts. If you put your shoulders under it though, it relaxes your muscles. It was really nice. Then you go into a steam room. The steam is infused with eucalyptus oil. It was so relaxing. This opens your pores. Then you go into a sauna. The dry heat cleanses your pores. After that, you go into a hot tub . Then you finish in a cold plunge. It’s so COLD!

It was fantastic in that you could leave and come back. We had access to the spa all day. After we got our massages, we left to go get some lunch. Then we came back afterwards. I stayed until around 6:30 pm. (Lucy left her to teach her Zumba class.) I realize now that I went a bit overboard with the detox. I must have done that cycle around 8 times! They provided all the bottled water, juices and fresh fruit you wanted. I, thankfully, was smart enough to be drinking water non-stop. By the time I left the spa though, I actually had a bit of a headache. Ridiculous of me! I was exhausted—absolutely exhausted. It was worth it though!

They had a small outside pool that looked like an infinity pool with palm trees surrounding one side of it. I spent some time out there, too. I pretty much hoarded the spa for all it’s worth. My face was glowing though. The detox makes you feel like you’re glowing. I am definitely going to do a spa visit in the future!

Chinatown
We went to the strip one afternoon. On there way there, we ate at the Tofu Hut in China town. It was a Korean restaurant. I got bulgogi. It was so yummy! The marinated beef can’t be beat. Plus, it came with different sides like the famous kimchi. I like kimchi. Plus, there were turnip flavored cold mashed potatoes. Sounds odd but very good.

THE STRIP

CASINOS There is definitely no other place in the world like the Strip in Vegas. Everything is larger than life and over the top. It’s pretty amazing. It was 111 degrees the day we went down to the strip. There were misters spraying out mist of cool water at the valet area. It was so hot though, you couldn’t feel anything. It evaporated as soon as it hit the heat.

Everything is larger than life and over the top. It’s pretty amazing. It was 111 degrees the day we went down to the strip. There were misters spraying out mist of cool water at the valet area. It was so hot though, you couldn’t feel anything. It evaporated as soon as it hit the heat.

If I remember correctly, we went to the Bellagio, the Mirage, the Venetian and Caesar’s Palace. Here are some pictures from each of them.

The Venetian has Italian canals. It was pretty amazing.

Bellagio is where part of Ocean's Eleven was filmed. They have a beautiful fountain show. There is a fun gardren with electric trains and bears that are shaped out of plants. There is also a chocolate shop. It has an eagle that is made out of dark, milk, and white chocolate. There is a fountain of chocolate and desserts that are pieces of edible art.

Caesar’s Palace was my favorite. The life size statues and murals were beautiful and so exquisite. The details is amazing. The inside is like being in a part of European history.

US Airways
Okay…apparently I haven’t traveled via air in a long time. My flight home was at 11:30 am. I hadn’t eaten lunch, so I asked the boarding stewardess if they served lunch. She advised only if I was in 1st class. Fine. I assumed as much, so I went and got a granola bar and some bottled water. OKAY! They only served drinks. They didn’t even serve pretzels! For crying out loud. Crazy!!! Thankfully, to all on board, I had a book to read that distracted me from my hunger and appalled self. With all you pay, apparently, you need to bring your own snacks. Who knew?
It was a wonderful experience and very relaxing. I can’t complain-- at all. This was the highlight of my year for sure. I’m grateful I was able to go on a vacation at all-- and also get to see my good friend, Lucy. It was a great time!!!