Loves, we are back from Vegas. OMG, I think I’ll never need to go back there again unless it is for some very compelling reason. So, our friend Tom, who was Vince’s scout leader for over a decade and tirelessly dragged him and his friends across the Eagle Scout finish line and mentored them all, had a stroke about three years ago and lost so much physical ability, but overall maintained his mental capacities, really wanted to celebrate his 70th birthday in Vegas. And they really wanted us to come and we really wanted to go. The birthday party was to be on Saturday and we were going to just fly in/out and stay a two nights, but Maryam (his wife) seemed disappointed that we weren’t going to fly in on Wed like they were (I actually wasn’t sure how much hanging out we were going to do together as this was going to be a semi-large family/friends thing), but she insisted that we were going to hang out together all the time, so we flew on Wed (literally craziness). Edda skipped school to play the slots.
We stayed at what we thought was the Paris hotel – we checked in at the Paris hotel lobby, but really, we stayed next door where we had to walk past the Paris hotel amenities for about 3 minutes. Do you see this line? This is not my favorite – people – but Jeremy managed the self service kiosk and we were in/out quickly.
Wed afternoon, we regrouped and found our friend Tom.
And I bought him a beer.
Tom et al are late risers. We are early risers made earlier by the time change. We tried to walk to Denny’s on the strip and we failed because it was so early that they hadn’t turned on the elevators to the overhead walkways. But we window shopped at the Gucci.
So, I didn’t know this about Vegas, but they’ve re created lots of European landmarks. It’s the craziest thing, really, but here’s the Eiffel tower.
Standing before the Arc de Triomphe. This is our party. Three wheelchairs! All flown in, so much travelling effort.
The three wheelchairs crossing the strip to get to the Bellagio.
Tom, a serious and orderly graduate from West Point (hence the dedication to scouts), married Maryam, a Persian who likes to party. They are completely and utterly devoted to each other. Maryam was completely in her element. I liked to call this weekend – partying with the Persians.
We had sweets at a bakery. Literally there is no place to sit down unless you want to pay – at a cafe, a bar, or a gambling table/slots.
And we did (except that I went to bed at 8 pm every night). We shopped at at least 4 Louis Vuitton boutiques looking for the perfect navy blue purse (not this season’s color, unfortunately).
We had the most expensive cocktail I’ve ever had at a Vanderpump restaurant.
We rode in a gondola at the Venetian (where I’m literally sitting next to Santa (Tom’s brother Dexter who does play Santa all over Texas)).
Went to see an aquarium.
Saw the Statue of Liberty (literally, wtf.)
Checked out the pool.
Saw the Eiffel Tower from the pool.
Finally, the party on Saturday am, where I struck a pose with maryam who is much better at it than I am.
Elvis came by and actually was so kind and funny.
And then we stayed the last night on Saturday night and then left super early on Sunday morning. Both very happy to have gone and spent all this time with their families and very happy to go home! So out of the ordinary for us and maybe a day too long, but at least we weren’t stuck (for two extra days!) there like some people due to the hurricane in the southeast of the US. Back at work/school for all us here.
My husband had a work conference in Vegas once. I picked him up from the airport and he turned off the radio in the car and said “do you hear that?” and I admitted I didn’t hear anything. “Exactly,” he said. “It’s never quiet in Vegas.” LOLOLOL.
I’m glad you went and had fun even if you never need to do it again!