Las Vegas – 11th September

On Friday 11th September Briony and Louisa had arranged to do 2 nearby attractions; Bodies, The Exhibition and The Titanic Museum. The combined ticket price was $53 per person and it wasn’t something I was bothered about seeing (I’d seen Bodies in Germany a few years ago) so I was able to spend the morning catching up on work. I was finding it difficult to be on holiday and working at the same time because of the time difference and being so tired still. The lack of internet in the hotel room was a bit disappointing as there was a decent desk and chair I could’ve used there.

Instead, I tried various spots around Excalibur, the Luxor and the MGM but even the quiet spots, weren’t. There was a massage place which I really fancied just so I could feel more relaxed but at $50 for a 20 minute foot or back massage, I decided it wasn’t worth it for me. I didn’t have time for a proper meal so I grabbed a salted Pretzel from Aunty Anne’s for £8.50 and, while not at all healthy, it filled me up and didn’t give me a bad stomach! I also familiarised myself with the free shuttle, the paid monorail and where the bus stops were for later. I’d researched that taxis were expensive but public transport was cheap and reliable in Vegas to get about the strip – which is a long way to walk when it’s this hot. A Deuce bus ticket for 24 hours is $8 which isn’t bad if you’re going to be out and back more than once per day.
Tonight, Jamie had invited the 3 of us to her friend’s birthday party over in a hotel suite on Fremont Street. I’d seen that the Mob Museum was in that area and thought it might be a good idea to do that first then join Jamie and her friends. We didn’t do that as I think the girls had already had quite a busy day of attractions and shopping, so instead we had some drinks in the room. I had been paid today so I transferred £300 to Louisa for my share of the accommodation and a show. Louisa had spotted something that all 3 of us were interested in, a Prince tribute act at the V Theatre tomorrow, so she booked us tickets. I had a couple of wines and the girls had a couple of rum and cokes and I finally started to feel a bit more relaxed and had put my out of office on for tomorrow. The girls got ready in their lovely outfits and I wore my festival dress with good pockets. Rather than get buses the girls preferred to get a taxi straight to Fremont and I paid £38 including tip for the one-way journey.

We met Jamie, the theme for the birthday celebrations was wigs so we all popped them on. I thought Briony and Louisa looked stunning with the colours they had and we even suggested it would suit that colour on their real hair. I thought I looked more like my sister with a fringe! I had my wine bought for me, as I’d got the taxi so I wasn’t sure of the price but I know the size was large and it tasted pretty good – but all drinks are served in plastic cups!
Next we headed over to the party in a hotel room and it felt a bit like being in a film as we went up, following the noise.
Luckily, there was food on as I’d not eaten since the pretzel and I was getting drunk. I had a couple of slices of the Costco pizza and it was the best thing I’d had to eat so far! There were birthday buns which I avoided so that I didn’t get poorly but Louisa took one for the team. What looked like icing or butter cream was milk (which didn’t sit well) and she had to leave it – I was so glad I’d not had one as they looked so delicious but I would probably have been in a predicament. We all got given a little gift of a fan in the shape of a fruit which I thought was nice and then we went to watch some free live music. I loved this part and we all got right in to it, dancing up near the front to rock band Alter Ego. It was hot and by midnight Jamie had gone home and I was properly flagging! Louisa and Briony being considerably younger than me and definitely less of a lightweight than me, didn’t want to go back to the hotel yet and wanted to explore more of what Fremont Street had to offer. I asked one of the party people where to get a taxi and they didn’t know so I went back in to the hotel to ask. The guy working there told me to walk for about 10 minutes down the street then take a right to a taxi line. I did and found it ok, considering I was quite merry. It only cost me £30 with a tip to get back and I’d had a great night out but was so shattered. Total spend today was £377 (including hotel) proving that it was definitely impossible to do Vegas on a budget if you get taxis. I don’t recall the girls coming back as I was fast asleep.

Gratitude List
1. Getting caught up on urgent tasks
2. A night out on Fremont Street with great friends
3. Dancing to live rock music.