As we have every summer for several years now, we found ourselves in Las Vegas in the middle of summer for the man’s work. We’re both fortunate to have careers that bring us in contact with folks from all different backgrounds, and- in his case- it’s neat that sometimes “work” means standing ringside during a pro MMA fight. While he’s cheering one of his athletes on in a corner, I can be poolside with a laptop, checking in with my agents and clients, grabbing some always-needed vitamin D.
This sort of travel isn’t always without complaint, though. We’ve had a love/hate relationship with Vegas for over a decade. On our first trip, in 2008, we were young(er), broke, and ignorant of the city. When out for 7 days for a week-long conference, we arrived bright-eyed and unaware of how to work the this strange respite in the middle of nowhere. Who knew that room-service breakfast cost so darn much, and that the only $1 all-you-can-eat buffets were along Freemont Street and not on the strip? On our teeny travel budget, we lived off of McDonald’s dollar menu, bringing double cheeseburgers back to our room for later consumption. Sunburnt, out of cash, and tired, we both declared that Vegas wasn’t for us.
Over the last half-dozen or so trips, however, we’ve become more accustomed to this crazy tourist-filled oasis in the desert, and there’s something very cool about the familiarity of the lights when we fly into McCarran.
Last Saturday night, landing after dark, Las Vegas emerged like a vision. The dessert is a strange landscape, black and quiet in the dead of night, then *poof,* this glittery neon-light fueled sprawl appears. From high over Nevada, we can always make out the tops of the Stratosphere, and the spotlight from the top of the Luxor pierces the sky like a needle pulling thread.
The heat there is forgiven thanks to a lack of humidity, and the suites at Paris are always so much bigger than we need. During the days, we prefer to sit poolside at Paris, one of the quieter resorts, reading through several books and ordering lunch to our lounge chairs. Always, we make our way home tired but refreshed, with a hint of a tan. We aren’t gamblers, but last year and this after a long few days of work, we joined Bryan’s athletes at The Linq for a few rounds of Craps before a few drinks at Caesars, and late-night cupcakes.
Over 11 years, Las Vegas has finally become a place we’re comfortable. Granted, we still don’t “do” the city well- there are no high-roller tables, pool parties, or celebrity chef restaurants, but there are relaxing days by the pool, free wi-fi, and when it comes to travel, isn’t that what counts?
** this post is not sponsored in any way. all thoughts and opinions are my own **
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