Afterthoughts (A.K.A My Vegas Tips)

As soon as you arrive

-       Go onto Amazon and download “Experience LAS Vegas” – its free and your handy lonely plant guide

-       Get yourself the richest body moisturiser you can and litres of water in preparation for the aircon that will suck every last drop of water from your being.

-       Get a tourist book so you know where all the free stuff is (Shark Reefs, White Lion enclosure, Dolphin Habitat, Treasure Island Shows, Flower displays, indoor canals etc)

Love the great outdoors?

-       Horse ride a canyon – tour groups available

-       Cycle a canyon – tour groups available

-       Hike a canyon – tour groups available

-       See a Canyon – Pink Jeep was an excellent tour service

-       If you’re going to Grand Canyon try to do plane or helicopter otherwise the bus is 4 hours there then 4 hours back and you may not necessarily be told just how far it is when you ask

Love taking pics?

-       Vegas photographs a zillion times better at night

-       Paris/Eiffel tower is the way to go – not glass to obstruct scenic pics but don’t get excited about pictures of you in the front with LV in the background as its barricaded.

-       Stratosphere is also good but you may get refection from the windows

Love shows?

-       Find a “Tix for tonight” and pay half price for your tickets

Hotels

-       Still check out the fancy ones, don’t assume the strip is full of all expensive hotels. My hotel was fancy and cost $150 per night (compare that to Europe where $180 gets you a microscopic room where often the shower is over the toilet) and check the rate structure - hotel are apparently significantly cheaper during week

-       Have a question - email or call the concierge as it’s quicker than lining up with the rest of the world to ask questions

Gamble

-       Apparently you get free drinks regardless of what machine you’re on (even 1 dollar). But remember to tip otherwise you’ll go thirsty.

Technology

-       Free wifi pretty much anywhere

Getting around

Ask your cab to take freeway it saves chugging slowly up The Strip during busy times as the freeway takes you around it

Love Shopping

-       Go to both outlets. Twice.

-       Check out Fashion Show Mall

-       Check out Town Square

-       Check out Caesars Palace for a quick drool

Food

-       If you’re in the area for the day do consider that all day buffet pass. Buffet meals are usually cheaper than cafes or room service and oddly has healthier food. Pass can start from $39.99

Clubs to go to

-       The Bank at Bellagio

-       Surrender

-       Eve

The Vegas Diaries – Saturday Feb 19th 2011

Check out day and disaster struck this morning. Shopping not fitting into suitcase.

Realising now the extend of my outlet shopping:

-       1 x Zara scarf

-       1 x DKNY Cashmere pashmena

-       1 x Nikes

-       DKNY: 2 x shirts + 1 x Tie

-       1 x Maxmara dress

-       Calvin Klein = 1 x Black pants + 2 x handbags + 1 x t-shirt  

-       2 pairs x Nine West Shoes

-       Michael Kors = 1 x Oversize clutch, 1 x pants + 1 x dress + 1 x skirt

-       Kate Spade 1 x ballet flats 1 x necklace + 3 x rings

-       Burberry 1 x dress  + 1 x shoes

-       Armani Exchange = 1 x jacket + 1 x dress + 1 x necklace

-       Polo Ralph Lauren = 2 x jumpers + 1 x shorts

-       Apple Store iPod case

-       Salvatore Ferragamo bag, shoes and scarf

-       Coach = 2 x bags + 2 x belts + 1 x scarf

And .... 2 new suitcases as I needed extra luggage to get my stuff home... what happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas but what’s purchased in Vegas can’t stay in Vegas

Now, before you judge me, for the items above the cheapest was $9 and the most expensive was $110. Do you now blame me for all the shopping?

And that really was the bulk of the day getting new suitcases then re packing. Apart from my food poisoning (always a treat to deal with that when you’re about to do long haul). If you’re in Vegas and find a restaurant that’s Mexican/Chinese beware...avoid...avoid!!!

Got on plane and bye bye Vegas

And that’s Day 12.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Friday Feb 18th 2011

Dear lord I need a decent coffee. As soon as I land in Aus I’m going to a Barrister and I’m going to ask them to surprise even themselves with how strong they can make a coffee. Americans think Starbucks is great coffee. I say no more.

Today in the lift I was asked if I’m a roofer. The 2 guys said they were on the way to their roofing convention and was I part of it. No. Can’t see myself...on a  roof...fixing it?

I went and checked out Town Square this morning – super cute mini village with a great mix of shops and apparently an excellent food market (but I didn’t get that far).

The taxi that took me there had an interesting chat with me. When I got in he said “not from America” which I confirmed and he said “you were way too polite that’s how I knew”. I said “really – I’m finding Americans to be really friendly?!” He went on to assume (quite rightly) that I was referring to hotel and restaurant staff and that was purely inspired by ass kissing to get tips. Hmmm self esteem = 0/logic = 1.

After Town Square back to the hotel to get ready for my tour of  Red Rock Canyon. We were picked up in a pink jeep (by the pink jeep company) and had a lovely driver called Dave who chatted away as he drove me and the other 12 tourist of to Red Rock. One of his opening questions was “so who here is a MAGIC person”. This was now getting weird. The Japanese tourists up front said “no we haven’t seen David Copperfield” then  I asked what exactly did he mean – turns out there’s a convention for Men’s Apparel Guild In California in town. Ooh!

Red Rock Canyon was AWESOME and so close – 45 mins by bus. If that is a small canyon I can only imagine how incredible eh Grand Canyon is. I wish I had have gotten onto the tours earlier – could have joined a hiking tour – how FANTASTIC would that have been?! Anyway all is still well I have the most tremendous pics of Red Rock Canyon that I took and also that my new buddy Parvez took. Always good to have a camera swap partner when you’re up a rock!

More pics that night up the Eiffel Tower and Stratosphere. No idea how many pictures I have now but the camera has well and truly had a work out.

And that’s Day 11.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Thursday Feb 17th 2011

Couldn’t sleep last night. Was awake till 1am wondering where the hell the housekeeper put my dental floss. Then I started thinking about the other things she’s moved. Books (she doesn’t like them beside the bed – they now live over by the window)... my makeup (they’re now back in the middle – I think I’ve won that one).

Today in the lift I was asked if I was with the Magic People. Externally I did my I’m-taking-this-seriously face where my head tilts to one side, my eyebrows go into a concentrating position and I tend to slightly nod to complete the look. Internally I was choosing between one of three responses:

 “why, can you see them standing beside me?”

“Yes, “I am Zoe Potter of Dumbledore”

 “Yes, my show is in town. They saw me in half in act two, scene 5”

Went down to the conference which was a day just for the Australian, South African and UK markets. The British did not look rested and recharged and consumed quite a bit of coffee, The SAs didn’t look too bad. I almost had a “guess who don’t sue” sight before my eyes. I was right about that a limo taking the head honchos somewhere. One senior person, at  breakfast told their colleagues which bar he went to and how long for to which his colleagues replied “you know we were there with you?”. Another senior person left one of LV’s hottest clubs at 3am – came back to the hotel decided it was still early and hit the blackjack – went back to his hotel room at 4:15 and again decided it was still early so starting working through all his emails. Impressively, the recipients of the emails said his 4:30am emails were quite eloquent. It then continued up from there. It was an odd equation – the more senior the person the more they’d partied and the later they’d gone to bed.... actually applying that theory maybe the CEO is still out now?

After the conference I decided to join my  lovely colleague from Hong Kong and go up to Fashion Show Mall. She needed to get changed beforehand as did I – she’d already checked out so we headed to my room.

On the way there I talked her through the conspiracy of the dental floss hiding housekeeper. When we walked into my room a  liar was made of me and there my dental floss back on the bedside table! Sue had a theory that it had fallen off and housekeeping simply found it on the floor and put it back. I didn’t really have anything sensible to reply to that.

Went to Fashion Show, gym, buffet and early night.

And that’s Day 10.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Wednesday Feb 16th 2011

This morning I notice that my cosmetics are no longer in-between the two sinks in the bathroom, rather the housekeeper has split them on either side of the sink. With no thought. It’s not like skincare was on one side and makeup on the other. Nope. Random cosmetic splitting.

Off I went to the last “official” day of the conference. This morning’s lift conversation was about a Japanese man’s item. I get in lift alone at level 21. On 19 a Japanese couple gets in, the male zipping up what appeared to be a man bag. On level 17 an American man gets in. By level 15 the conversation had began with the American man asking the Japanese man “what’s that, some kind of handbag?”. Turns out his wet weather jacket converts to a bag for convenient carrying. That was today’s lift discussion.

Conference was another excellent day then we had the Gala dinner at The Frank Gehry Building.

We arrived to have pre dinner cocktails and I was talking to a colleague from Taiwan. After an hour she said “we really should be seated now” and within 5 minutes I could see people going to seat themselves. She nudged me and said “see, it’s all Asian people”. I asked how she knew that would happen at that exact moment and she said “culturally we don’t like standing. If it’s a cocktail party it will be 1 or 2 hours maximum. We just don’t like standing and prefer to be seated straight away”. I love that at a global conference talking about culture is such an open conversation. Learn new things all the time!

Another one, was overhearing my colleague from Singapore discussing the challenges of the school system.

G: We are having problems with our son at school, he doesn’t concentrate

Z: He has mentioned any distractions?

G: No but the teacher had us take him to a child psychologist. He just gets up in the middle of class and starts wandering around.

Z: Did the psychologist have any findings?

G: She said he’s normal for his age. I’m just worried about his grading exams in the next few years. He can’t sit still for 2 hours now and that’s how long the exam is. There’s 33 kids/class and 9 classes and I don’t want him to be in the bottom. He’s actually having troubles reading so we’re worried.

Z: How old is he?

G: 3 years 10 months

Z: Grade 3 – that’s not too bad.

G: No, he’s 3 years in age and 10 months.

Z: And there’s 2 hour exams???

Now, I can’t remember if she said the exams start when he turns 5 or 7 but apparently at which ever age they start, these small children are evaluated on a variety of different subjects and graded.

Back off the tangent, the Gala Night was wonderful. I love seeing people out of their “professional mode” drinking and dancing it up. It’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for. And myself actually – watch out for her. The theme of the conference is “We Touch”. I mentioned before, no self solving and ample signage. So we always knew where the group was meant to be there would be people standing 10m apart holding big “We Touch” signs forming a path. When in casinos and clubs these signs can be mistaken by the general public who wonder exactly what type of the conference this is. Being the last official night my boss asked me if we should have a photo with the sign, touching. I believe I am responsible for inappropriate conduct as she has the photos to prove it. I’ll say no more except the guy with the guy told me he had fun doing the pics.

Anyway I only had 3 drinks all night and 3 courses so I wasn’t drunk or anything but I decided best be sensible, one unofficial day to go, so hopped on the bus at 11pm. It seems our senior team are quite the party animals. A member of the product development team snuck his cocktail onto the bus with finger to mouth going “shhhh”. The French team were in full swing and as the bus pulled out up comes a limo to take the head honchos somewhere.... even at that moment I guessed they would not be turning up to the last day particularly radiant.

After a lovely day and night I get back to my room, and what do I discover? Housekeeping has moved my dental floss. It’s nowhere!!! I’ve looked and looked. I like it beside the bed. I floss while watching TV. It makes me happy and now the floss is gone. Not Happy Jan. I’ve entered conspiracy mode now.

And that’s Day 9.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Tuesday Feb 15th 2011

There’s something that bugs me. A lot. People moving my things. Housekeeping at this hotel likes to move my things. This morning I decided my hair needed smoothing with my hair iron. Where was it?

Where I left it? No!

In drawer no 1? No!

Drawer no.2 perhaps? No!

After tearing the place apart housekeeping had decided it was a nice fit for a drawer outside the bathroom. This is annoying.

Into the lift and today’s elevator conversation was with Eddie and Harry. They were both tiny elderly people with massive suitcases. The elevator stopped at my floor and opened and Eddie shuffled out. To which Harry shouted “Not here Eddie”. So Eddie shuffled back in saying “Sorry Harry I thought this was the lobby”. Eddie and Harry continued to decend while advising me that the other never listens.

More conference today followed by dinner at The Springs Preserve on Valley View Road. On the website http://www.springspreserve.org/ it looks great but as we went there at night I have no idea what it looked like as it was dark.

And that’s Day 8.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Monday Feb 14th 2011

Americans priorities are a little odd. My hotel room doesn’t have a kettle, yet I have a martini kit?

Its Valentine’s Day here today. My Valentine is 20 hours away.

Another great day of conference and tonight was a free night so I went to buy this amazing steamer – never travel with wrinkly clothes again!!! I decided to get a cab back to the hotel after going to get the steamer to begin my early night (?)

In the cab there was a screen showing what’s on in Vegas – there was Donnie and Maria again!!!

I took myself to the buffet for dinner and ok I surrender, the buffet pass is an EXCELLENT idea. This whole place is geared towards buffets one dinner in a  standard restaurant is the price of the buffet day pass so I’m sure I’ll be getting me one before I leave.

Today ended my fav way – speaking to my hubby. It was actually funny to hear an aussie accent (ironically between the 3 of us here from Oz I’m the only one with an aussie accent). I’ve decided my Aussie accent is just harsh and yobbo no matter how I deliver it. Thinking of changing my last name to Dundee to just give in.

Hmmm it’s not 10:30 – not such an early night but still it’s the first day I’ve got to bed since I’ve been here without a drop of alcohol in me so that’s a good thing!

And that’s Day 7.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Sunday Feb 13th 2011

I need a tree. A big flourishing green tree. I am going through 3L of water/day and not feeling hydrated. I permanently smell like spoke/musk and I’m puffy. I need a tree. Not a fake palm with lights wrapped around it that alternate their flashings. Not a tree with a fake parrot on top. Just a good old fashioned natural tree. Just some sweet sweet sweet fresh air. I don’t feel like I’m on the world being 98% indoors. When I go to the gym and I have to walk through a casino to get to it and I’ve just woken up whereas most are still going from the night before, I kinda feel like I’m on the Truman show. But when I do walk through the casino at 6am in my gym clothes I do think to myself -  I don’t think you need to be very bright to work in Vegas. If you look hot and can shake it or serve it come on down to Vegas. There’s my tip for any readers who decide that thinking is no longer for them. Anyway, back to my first thought, if someone can post me a piece of plant that’d be great.

First day of conference was inspirational, informative and just wonderful. And there’s the very generous gifts, a beautiful luggage tag, new fragrance with a themed hair accessory and environmental travel bags.

Very Vegas - we were served a cocktail at 3pm during the conference. I turned to the big boss and said “surely they’re not giving us alcohol at 3pm”. He said “Well when in Rome...” and got into it so why not.

After the conference we all went to see Cirque De Soleil’s “O” at the Bellagio

Cirque du Soleil weaves an aquatic tapestry of artistry, surrealism and theatrical romance in the timeless production, "O". The international cast of world-class acrobats, synchronized swimmers, divers and characters perform in, on, and above water to create a breathtaking experience in a magnificent theatre reminiscent of a European opera house.

It was INCREDIBLE!!!!

And that’s Day 6.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Saturday Feb 12th 2011

Good news, I now know who Donnie and Marie are (thanks mum)

Here’s some irony, Saturday is my quietest day so far. I met my boss for breakfast and she was about to head out to the outlets. I assumed they’d be packed being Saturday (this suspicion was later confirmed correct). Today is actually the opening day of conference, it starts tonight as a cocktail reception at Eve Nightclub (which I know well from my solo expedition), and whilst it didn’t start till 7pm I decided a day at the day spa would be an excellent way to pass the hours.

Correctamundo!!!

Gym first then I got a day pass to the day spa. I relaxed in the salt room, hot stone room, outside Jacuzzi, cedar steam room and eucalyptus steam room. 5 hours of doing nothing. Ooooo yeah.

The cocktail party made me realise just what I a part of here – 180 people from across the world. It’s incredibly exciting!!!!

Rather than get plastered at a  work do with the free flowing cocktails I headed back to the room at about 9:30.

In the lift back to my room I realised something. Elevators are seen as a social spot I’ve noticed. I haven’t been in one lift (and I catch at least 2 a day) where I haven’t had a conversation. Americans can’t stay silent in lifts. In lifts I’ve learnt the exact location of strangers rooms, how much someone won/lost on the machines, how the Australian accents is apparently easily confused with an Irish accent (?!) and other general information about where people have come from or where they’re going. Then they bid you farewell adding all the well wishes that usually only a close friend would offer.

And that’s Day 5.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Friday Feb 11th 2011

Hi Again,

Up and at em today to go back to LV Premium Outlet Centre purely to get Pegs bags, certainly no ulterior motive to do more shopping for me. :/

Good news, no python at bus! The bus is in front of The Outback Australia themed Pub. I get on the bus and Yankie Doodle Dandy says:

YDD: How was it?
Me: How was what?
YDD: The Outback
Me: I didn't go
YDD: You should have, it's just like Australia. Have you ever been to Australia?
Me: Um, yes
YDD: When?
Me: I was there earlier this week
YDD: That's recent! But I bet it's good to be back home!

Today the bus went past mini Elvis (the King is a dwarf), Spiderman and people dressed as M&Ms. That's normal here. Also passed more signs that Donnie and Marie are in town. I have no idea who they are. Must Google.

Shopped for 5 hours, through lunch again. Came back to meet my boss who'd arrived that day at Fashion Show Mall but soon said goodbye so she could go and sleep the jet lag off. I then went to a hilarious salon. I figured why get waxed at the civilized hotel when I could go to a salon and overhear funny Vegas stories. All to plan I got my wax, pedicure and stories. My waxer regularly waxes and spray tans the male 'actors' who need to be perfect all over before filming. I said I didn't realize there were film studios here to which she replied "honey this is Vegas, the studios are a bedroom". Ooo now I cottoned on. Yes mum they used sterilized equipment on me.

Came back to hotel via pharmacy/supermarket spending an hour in there due to my love for seeing what overseas pharmacies and supermarkets have that we don't.

Dinner in room. Early night.

 

And that’s Day 4.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Thursday Feb 10th 2011

 As we all know Day 3 got off to a late start due to party party party the night before so I decided breakfast should come to me. I always knew Americas are totally into their service but I didn't really just how far it goes. In fact the cynic in me sometimes finds it hard to keep a straight face. Example - calling for breakfast the phone answers "Hello Mrs Karathomas and welcome and thank you so much for calling the Aria’s in room dining service, we appreciate your custom. My name is Rhonda and I would be delighted to help you, now how can I assist you this morning?". Nearly forgot my order by the time the greeting ended and I'm sorry to say but by sentence No.2 I'd already started smirking. The smirk turned into a smile when my request for cereal was praised with "that is a wonderful choice". I think I was thrown by all the love as forgot to order the coffee - rang back ready to inject with "me again, forgot the coffee" but no chance "Hello Mrs Karathomas and welcome and thank you so much for calling the Arias in room dining service, we appreciate your custom. My name is Rhonda and I would be delighted to help you, now how can I assist you this morning?".

Breakfast done off to the bus to go get my $7 all day bus pass to get the express bus to wonderful outlet No.2 (LV Premium Outlet Centre). Now, those that know me well know that a) usually I hate shopping and b) I'm terrified of snakes. Let me now proportionalise how darn good the shopping is. The bus stop is directly beside street performers - one of which is a man with a python. The bus stop is very bitter sweet. I stand there having a bipolar attack of excitement to go to the wonderful outlet centre then switch to anxiety about the python. This emotion switch alternates at 30 second intervals until the bus comes.

Onto the bus and past the cast of Star Wars, Homer Simpson dressed as a showgirl and a member of The Village People walks past. That's normal here. Also passed a few signs that Donnie and Marie are in town. I have no idea who they are. Must Google.

If I thought yesterday's outlet centre, Las Vegas Outlet Centre, was amazing then we need a whole new category for LV Premium Outlet Centre. The joy got better - I found out where to get a coupon book. Examples of my shopping include a Burberry dress for $110, 2 pairs of Nine West Shoes foe $70, 2 pairs of Kate Spade shoes for $180......

Now, those that know me well know that Zoe without lunch equals cranky cranky. I merrily shopped through lunch.

Actually I need to think about what I'm saying here??? I think I need to revise some announcements in order to give me negotiation points when Husband wants to discuss how much I've put on the credit card? So...

Cancel " I merrily shopped through lunch" and replace with - "I'm trying to cover the cost of the Calvin Klein T-shirt I bought for $19 by sacrificing lunch"

Cancel "I love the bus, it embeds me in the culture, I see more of the town, it’s my transport of choice" and replace with "I'm trying to cover the cost of the new Nikes I just bought by sacrificing catching a cab to the outlet centre and catching the bus instead"

Cancel "Stuff seeing the Canyon, that wastes valuable shopping time" and replace with "I really wish I went to the Canyon but I didn't want to take advantage of my kind husband's generosity when he said I should enjoy myself and spend what I think is right".

But what is genuine is I had a low key night. I actually found Planet Hollywood! I saw the concierge and said "I'll be dining alone tonight so can you recommend somewhere with atmosphere so I have something to look at - like Planet Hollywood - does it have people dressed up as stars etc?". Concierge said "Yes but you where's even more fun?! there's a restaurant where the staff act really rude to you, they even swear at you, ignore you when you try to get their attention and they don't place the food in front of you they slam it." Insert concierge's really enthusiastic I've-just-given-you-the-best-recommendation-ever smile here.

So, I went to Planet Hollywood. If I wanted the "experience" that the other place offers I’ll just return to The Clock at Surry Hills when I'm back in Sydney. Waked there as it’s not far from Aria Hotel - about 15 mins but it took me about 30 as I stopped to watch the amazing water fountain show at the Bellagio where the fountains are choreographed to music - amazing!!! Planet Hollywood is in Caesar's Palace. To get to it you walk through their casino where I triple swear I saw Ed Norton playing the pokies. Then, you walk through the streets of Italy under a sky painted roof - disorienting and slightly tacky albeit as close as you'll get to a replica then voila Planet Hollywood. What a letdown. No costumes, no entertainment, really no other patrons but me and way too much mashed potato.

Back to the hotel and skyped Peg. You know when you're in crazy shopping land when your one hour Skype chat goes like this "ok open a your browser, go to the websites for Las Vegas Outlet Centre and LV Premium Outlet Centre to see the brands I have access to. Now get up the coach site, DKNY site, Michael Kors site and Kate Spade site and I'll tell you what I can and can’t get for you."

And that’s Day 3.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Wednesday Feb 9th 2011

Decided to be healthy and hit the gym - the gym is sensational in my hotel www.arialasvegas.com. More equipment than some fitness firsts. Then I did the buffet for breakfast - can you believe they sell all day buffet passes! Who would go to a buffet 3 times in a day!!!!

I like getting into the culture and trying not to always be a big tourist so I've figured out the bus system and this is now my travel method of choice. Yes I stuffed it up the first time and went the wrong direction and got off in the middle of nowhere having to figure out how to get back. But I'm with it now.

I went to the discount outlets. All products are the real deal at beyond excellent prices. In the end I decided I'd just look at all shops first as you can go totally nuts so I have to think about how I'm going to do this. Examples: Calvin Klein dress tops $39, DKNY dresses $90, Nikes $40. I bought a coach bag for $90, Salvatore Ferragamo ankle boots for $89 and the list goes on.... And there's another outlet centre that I'm going to today. I'll do a lap then then try to think about how I'm going to do this.... It would be totally easy to spend $10 000 shopping but obviously I can't so I need a plan...

Come night, I decided to take myself and my 8 shopping bags to Planet Hollywood for dinner. Walked to Caesars Palace, to the Planet Hollywood sign to discover its just a sign. Got into a cab, asked to be taken to Planet Hollywood, get there and go into a casino with strippers everywhere. Go back to new cab and returned to hotel. Had a lovely tapas meal instead in the lobby. It was really nice - thank god as finding non fried food here is generally a struggle. Also normal food is a challenge. I ordered BBQ salmon for lunch day one and they'd  nearly cremated it then drowned it in BBQ sauce. It was so wrong.

Decided to go out so went to a club called Eve, owned by Eva Longoria. Got there at 11 pm and left at 3am. Party animal. Solo party animal.

Other things:

Observations about Americans:

1. They staff everything. Whether it's a man in the middle of hotel grounds just incase you get confused...following... The path... There's Mr helpful. Also at the bus stops they have dedicated people to help you use the ticket machine. Self solving is non existent due to all these people. If there isn't a helper close, Americans are not shy to ask the nearest person for help. Often that is me. I am constantly being asked for directions the irony is:

Irony 1 - I don't live here. 

Irony 2 - My accent doesn't stop further questions from coming 

Irony 3 - Nearly everyone with a question for me is American and they tell me "we live very far from here".

Odd menu items I've seen:

- deep fried chicken wings with waffles

- biscuits with gravy

- carrot cake martini

And that’s Day 2.

Z xo

The Vegas Diaries – Tuesday Feb 8th 2011

I arrived on Tuesday afternoon at the airport/casino. Poker machines and showgirls beside bag carousels got the party started. I had a few hours to kill before seeing the show I'd booked for that night so walked the Las Vegas strip. It's seedy in a glamorous way. Seedy as in it just feels wrong to be looking at the sites during the day. When you go in and out of hotels you go from outside (jacket weather) to inside (sleeveless is fine) so it’s hard to feel fresh with the aircon blasts constantly. Also you can smoke anywhere and everywhere so there's this omnipresent car-freshener scent that tries to mask the smoke. But everything has been made to perfection. That's how I came up with my seedy but glamorous summary.

The show I saw night one was Le Reve and it was fantastic! It's is a pool with a stage on the outskirts and the show is a girl's dream and the fantasy journey she goes on. The story's told through acrobatics, diving, synchronized swimming. Just amazing.

And that’s Day 1.

Z xo