Flashback Friday: Las Vegas 2005

 Las Vegas 2005

My first trip to Las Vegas was in 2005 with my husband. He had got us a room at New York New York and I was thrilled.  At the time, I was unaware of the gambling scene, but I was aware of Vegas. The lights, the shows, the thrills. I couldn't wait to be where SIN is IN and where the bad behaviors are left. (No bad behaviors here.)

At the time the whole experience was INCREDIBLE. Even flying was an event for me. I actually enjoyed flying back then, mainly because I hadn't done it all that much. Today, I have a different affection for flying I have all kind of anxiety. I am not sure where it came from, but my next flight was the beginning of the end of my joy of flying. (also a flight to Las Vegas)

Even as we were still on the plane the Vegas magic began. Looking out the little window we could see the Las Vegas strip. Up out of nowhere sprang this incredible city. Some of the famous casino's shined even from the airports distance. My attention was on everything. Look at that, look over there, wow, did you see? If you have never been, it is certainly a sight to be seen, even a bit overwhelming. I had been to Atlantic City, but Vegas is so much more. We had a room at NY NY. Just the buildings outside was incredible. The NY City skyline sticking up into the Nevada dessert skies. Building themes are what Vegas is all about and they scream come visit me.  The Luxor with its pyramid roof, Excalibur with it's castle, Caesars surrounded by Greek statues and fountains, Treasure Island flanked with pirate ships. It is truly an adult Disney World. Back then I was not a gambler and I had no clue about the gambling world. I always say I married into that lifestyle, and had I not married Mark, I don't think Las Vegas would have ever been on my radar to visit. Now I have been 4 times and we are going again in May of this year. I wont comment to much on how Vegas has changed since my first visit, but it is no longer the Vegas I remember. I think, like many things, it has become "hip" or the thing to do. Like wine tours or expensive spas. years ago...no one went on these things, now they are a regular for people. Maybe we all just have more money, time, what more things? I don't know, but it seems like now places like Vegas have become TOURIST DESTINATIONS. Not that they were never a place people went, but usually the lure was to gamble, today Vegas is where you bring your family, your friends, you have weekend drinking fests, catch a Broadway like show or music concert. I somehow think that this has changed the feel of Vegas for me. Now it feels like there are more people, increased prices, more loud clubs, and the old times gambling establishments that held a nostalgia of the rat pack, the Flamingo, the Mob, and the like has began to die. Even downtown Vegas has the vision canopy and a zip line. These places have become a place where you bring your families. I guess things change. 

But...on this trip I was new to all of it and I took every single thing in. We did do some gambling of course, and we had a romantic gondola ride. We visited the shops, and I had my very first Cheese Cake Factory Cheese cake while we watched the Bellagio fountain dance in the evening nearly alone. (Now your are lucky if you can get a good spot to watch.) We enjoyed Treasure Islands pirate show, took in the fountains and characters at Caesars, watched as marble statues came to life, gazed into the skies of an indoor sunny day, drank fruity beverages while enjoying an outdoor concert from a cup larger then my head. We suffered through a time share presentation for free tickets to a magic show, which I must say was incredible despite being yelled at and belittled when we refused to sell our souls for a time share. Who knows maybe we should have done it, it might be worth something today.

The memories will remain despite the changes Vegas has had, and I will keep living in those old while making new, because although Vegas may be different, it is still an amazing place to visit. 

This Friday Flashback seems fitting as Mark and I leave for my 4th trip to Las Vegas on Monday. This time however, we are not planning to spend the entire time in Vegas. We have rented a car this time so we will be exploring off the strip a bit. We have plans to visit Hoover Damn, Death Valley and Valley of fire. Maybe even some more off the strip fun. I am also planning on meeting up with a friend I haven't seen since High School...many many many years ago. I am very excited. 

TTFN