We flew out of San Antonio on Wednesday evening and arrived in Las Vegas around 9:30 PM Vegas time -and, when leaving the airport building to find the shuttle to the hotel, my first impression was that it was pretty cool (temperature-wise)- I had expected a nice and balmy night. Not happening!!!! The shuttle took us to the Imperial Palace, and even so we were pretty tired by then – after all, it was around midnight our time, and we normally go to bed by 8ish… – we had made a pact that no matter how tired we were, we were going to the Casino for one drink and some slot machine action – minimum!!!! And we did. And then we fell into bed.

Day 1

Turns out that it’s a problem if one is an early riser and the other is not, and you’re stuck in a small hotel room together with nothing to do – we did bring the laptop, but while I knew Internet was available, I hadn’t realized that it costs $10/day to actually access it -and I’m cheap, so that wasn’t an option for me. Never heard of any such thing – to have to pay extra for internet in a hotel, but what do I know, really…. So I tried to be quiet and entertain myself and let Eric sleep – I failed!

When he finally got up, we went to the breakfast buffet on the Third Floor -and couldn’t find it. Those wings are confusing. Instead, we ran into some of those let-me-sign-you-up-for-a-sales-pitch-for-a-time-share people that seem to be all over Vegas. We escaped with a map of the strip and a few helpful hints – and then found the breakfast buffet. The food tasted funny. I’m not a picky eater by any stretch – but that food tasted funny. You know there’s something wrong when I won’t eat the cheesecake.

After breakfast, we headed out – and we went right. And it was stinking cold. There we were in shorts and short sleeved (Eric) / sleeveless (me) T-shirts, and it was windy and downright chilly. But there was so much to see – I had the camera, but I didn’t even know what to take a picture of (that’s why there are many views of Vegas in my photo album without a description, because I don’t remember exactly where I took them or what I took them of). After a long Odysee involving a lengthy hike and an equally long ride on The Deuce – the Las Vegas bus line – we ended up lunching at Trader Vic’s on the balcony so we could watch the water-fountain show at The Bellagio just across the street. Two women sat down next to us – Germans!!!! We took each other’s picture! Then we trotted back to our hotel for some pool time, then got ready for our hike to see Mamma Mia (musical based on Abba songs). There is only one word to describe it: FUN!!!! It was fun to watch, you could tell the performers had fun, the plot was fun, the music was fun – if you ever get a chance, watch it, it’s worth it! Then we walked back the 2 miles to our hotel – 2 miles is like nothing in high heels…… and by then we were too hungry to go right to sleep. So we ate at The Imperial’s 24-hour eatery – the Tearoom. The food tasted funny!

Day 2

Eric wanted to visit the Las Vegas Hard Rock Cafe (for warmth, I wore my jeans shirt which I had brought to cover myself on the way to the pool and which was the only thing I had brought with sleeves on, and we stopped at a tourist shop to buy Eric a sweat jacket) – so we decided we’d skip the funny-tasting breakfast and have an early lunch there. It cannot have been much more than maybe 3 miles to walk – down The Strip, turn right onto Harmon and just keep trotting. White Russians are not a good substitute for morning coffee. When we left, it was cold and rainy and we took a cab back to the strip. More sight-seeing, an art-show, and then a few drinks at the bar in our hotel (while advancing from penny slots to the $1 Black-Jack Video Machines). Down in Dollars, up in proof, we left for dinner – The Diabolo. And when we left, it rained again. I hate wet sandals and love walking barefoot. Turns our, Vegas sidewalks get slippery when wet. After Eric picked me back up, and I was sure I hadn’t broken anything important, we went back to the hotel so I could change into clean clothes and put some ice….into another margarita!

Day 3

We had to exchange our vouchers for that evening’s comedy show at The Riviera into actual tickets, so we lunched at their buffet (don’t try it). Cab back towards the M&M Factory, modern art exhibit, a couple beers with Nine Fine Irishmen in the New York New York casino. Great Fun!! Back to change in the hotel, cab to The Riviera, dinner at Kristofer’s Steak House – I think the most expensive meal I ever had – and then the show at The Comedy Club. Now that was fun. I’ve been wanting to go to a comedy club for years, and now I’ve been. Cab back to the Imperial. Good Night!

Day 4

Catch shuttle to airport at 7:35 AM – Bye-bye Vegas!!!! On the first day we both said that this was cool and great, but we’d rather go elsewhere next time. Now we feel we have a much better idea of what’s available and what we enjoy -and we cannot wait to get back. But first, we want to check out San Francisco. But then, it’s Vegas again, Baby!!