VEGAS BABY!

Just returned from Vegas for a conference, and WOW!  What an experience!

Haven't been?  MUST go.

Have been? Go again!  There's always new stuff to see and fun things to appreciate all over again.

Last year we stayed at the MGM in the regular rooms before they were redone.  I heard the new rooms are leaps and bounds better now that they've renovated, but we decided to move anyways.  At the last conference, we visited a friend who stayed in the Signature Towers and realized the rooms there had a kitchen!  Last year we spent over $100 per person per day on food.  This year we decided things would be different.

So we booked a Junior 1 Bedroom at the hotel, and it was the best decision ever.  The kitchen came in extremely handy, having made a point of taking a cab to Whole Foods just a few miles down Las Vegas Blvd.  For $52 we had beer, wine, and food for breakfast and most lunches for all 3 days!  We only had to buy dinner, which made experiencing the good food more enjoyable because we were only spending that kind of money once a day as opposed to every meal.

Additionally, the Signature towers are about a third of the way down the strip, so if you wish to walk anywhere, you cut your walking time a substantial amount.  For those who haven't been yet, walking from the MGM Grand to the Wynn (where we ALWAYS to go to get a good vegan meal!) is about an hour and a half walk over about 4 miles.  So, therefore, be sure you have good walking shoes on! Bring your heals, but walk in comfort! It's not worth it otherwise!

This time we stopped at a few favorites: the Wynn (and ate at Misumi!), the Venetian (and ate in St. Mark's Square!), and, of course, saw the Bellagio fountain show!  We also made a point of stopping in Paris, which I loved!  It reminded me of being back on the Parisian streets, and the Moulin Rouge parade they have right around 7pm is so fun!  The girls come out in a conga line in their dealer corsets and make their way to the tables where they are to deal.  Clearly, the show is meant to entice gamblers to the table, and its a very effective method!  We all just stood and watched the conga line and then it was like people in trances went to sit at the tables. ....maybe there was a subliminal message in the song?  Who knows!

And, as always, be sure to budget for your trip and your gambling!  Viva las Vegas!