Viva, Viva Las Vegas!

Because my computer has been on the fritz, I haven't been able to get any pictures off of my camera, and have had to rely on bi-weekly boyfriend visits to use his computer to download the pictures. I'm pretty much just using him for his computer capabilities. Since I was in Boston last weekend, I have pictures!

So I don't know if you heard, but I went to Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. I was there for Jenn's birthday extravaganza (this would be Boston/San Francisco Jenn, roommate during 2 years of law school Jenn) . We got a sweet, sweet hook-up and the five of us stayed at a fancy-schmancy hotel for free and ate at any of the hotel's restaurants, ordered room service, and ate out of the mini bar for free.

This is what I mean when I say fancy-schmancy:

(I think it's appropriate that The Mirage is behind The Venetian sign in this shot because The Mirage was where we found the best $5 black-jack dealers since none of us could afford the hefty $10 and $15 tables that The Venetian was sporting)

Upon perusing my pictures I realized that food and eating seem to be a running theme. There are a couple of good reasons for this. First, there are no cameras allowed in the casinos. If there had been there would have been three other themes: searching for $10 Baccarat, searching for $5 Black Jack, and playing the $5 Black Jack.

Second, did I mention the food was FREE? I think 5 girls know how to take advantage of that little perk. I got there Friday night and was famished after my cross-country flight. Well, heck, let's order room service, says Jenn. The next morning we headed to the poolside restaurant for breakfast. I couldn't decide between the Lemon Blueberry Pancakes and the Salmon Pizza. Lisa, sitting next to me, wanted the breakfast with eggs and the Lemon Blueberry Pancakes. I think you've all guessed our solution to that problem: divide three breakfasts between the two of us. Audrey and Veronica thought that was a capital idea and also got three breakfasts.

Another favorite part of eating at fancy restaurants, besides the free and yummy parts, was passing all the plates around the table so everyone could have a bite. At the French restaurant on Saturday night we kept ooing and aahing over how creamy everything was. I ask you, how do you make a chicken breast creamy?

Yeah, have I mentioned how we didn't blend in with the rich people AT ALL?

The Girls (Audrey, Jenn, me, Lisa, Veronica)

Saturday we took a cab to Circus Circus (old school, baby!) and I was indoctrinated into the joys of black jack. I learned the all-important Vegas lesson: quit while you're ahead. At one point I was up $60, but then I kept playing and wound up down $30. I had learned by Monday afternoon when we parked ourselves at The Mirage for a couple of hours while waiting to leave for the airport. Audrey's sage words of advice, which I will pass onto you are, as soon as you get a little bit ahead of the amount you started with, put your starting amount worth of chips in your purse and don't touch them. Very wise. Monday I wound up winning $40. I think that is also due to my stellar black jack playing. I may go pro.

We walked back to the hotel from Circus Circus. It was 103 and, oh. my. gosh., I forgot how bright the sun is in the west. A couple of pit stops were in order: the first at 7-11 for Slurpees and the second at Ross Dress for Less for hats:

I bought a straw hat too and I was so happy I did when I sat by the pool on Sunday afternoon. Between the hat, my Jackie O sunglasses and my genuine Hawaiian lava lava wrapped around me like a skirt, I totally gave off that rich tourist vibe, I just know it.

Lisa showing some World Cup pride
Saturday night we stuffed ourselves at the fancy French restaurant and then headed out for the VIP room at Rain.

Primping

Clubbing


Sunday was the main event: Jenn's Birthday. We all chipped in and bought her a massage at the spa, which she indulged in that afternoon while Audrey and Veronica slept and Lisa and I staked out some chairs by the pool. That night we went to a very chi-chi steak restaurant. Jenn decreed that we would all be having steak and it was so and it was good.

Audrey is very excited about her Shirley Temple.

Birthday Girl

The remnants of my really expensive medium-rare steak that tasted like perfection.

After dinner, and a short pit stop back in the room to let the food settle a bit, we walked down the Strip looking for Baccarat and ambience. When I first got to Vegas I was a little overwhelmed by the tacky excessiveness of it all. However, by Sunday night I was a full-fledged fan. I think something about the blinking lights and the noises and those slot machines randomly calling out, "Wheel of Fortune!" hypnotized me a bit.

The Strip:
(Can everyone see who is in the poster on the side of that casino? That's right, Wayne Newton)

Our ultimate destination on Sunday night was The Bellagio to see the water show, a la Ocean's Eleven. While standing by the lake waiting for the show to start we devised our own heist plan. My swimming talents will be put to use as I swim through the lake and into the underbelly of the casino. Because you know there's a door somewhere down there.



I had an amazing time and realize that this was probably a once in a lifetime experience since I don't generally hang with the high rollers. If you should happen to have access to rich friends or friends with rich and generous family members, I would highly suggest you hook yourself up with some fancy time in Vegas.