Sunday VLV 13

So Sunday sister was determined to get to the outlet mall and as luck would have it after we checked out from the Rio we ran into the Las Vegas sign on the way over to the mall...photographs ensued and then after what seemed to me like a torturous eternity of shopping (2 hrs) I recused myself to go check-in at the Orleans.

All went well and we ended up on the 16th floor for the second time in one holiday.  It was a little give and take as our room at the Rio had a fridge and 2 sinks but there was something undefiniably nicer about the room at the Orleans despite the lack of the aforementioned accoutrements.  Sister arrived with all her purchases around 230 as I was getting ready to head down to see Justin Curtis & Sally Jo after much anticipation having not seen them since they were in my hometown some years back.  I departed and ended up in a line up to get into Brendan's and then wedged in the standing room only pub.  It was a great show and after making the mistake of ordering a double I decided I should return with my cup of whiskey for a bit of respite and to make sure sister got some food before she murdered me.

Next up was the Smokin' 45s.  I changed and put on my best gingham dress and watched some fantastic dancing in Bienville before the show started.  It was a lovely evening after which sister got to go to Frankie's Tiki Bar despite not knowing what a Tiki Bar was at the outset of our adventure.  I caught Huelyn Duvall (who I thoroughly enjoyed) and part of Rudy Grayzell before flaking out early despite my longstanding wish to see Annita and the Starbombers.  Sunday ended with me waking up on what was technically Monday after what was supposed to be a quick nap only to realize my eyes where a irritated shade of pink (from sleeping in my contacts) and I was not going to be able to catch up to anyone at this point.  Sister returned at what I believe was around 5 AM and I got up not too long after to go get tickets for a Monday evening performance of Cirque du Soleil.

Vegas Thursday

Okay so first a confession…I haven’t been to the USA since I was a kid and I have been reading blogs like ljcfyi for years and wishing I could go to Trader Joe’s and Target and try on Old Gringo cowboy boots. So, Thursday morning I got up and we went down and had breakfast in the hotel. Pecan berry French toast with bacon & coffee for me and something saltier for sister with her eggs over hard. Then it was off to Target to get some odds & ends.

Some things to note is that cellphone coverage even for texting is totally outrageous in the US and the pay as you go phones don’t all work with international coverage immediately and require a phone call to set up.

We go some groceries and a kettle for $10 and went back to the room to put it all in the fridge. Sister decided to go off to the strip to see what she could see and I decided to have nap as I was not my usual self due to events beyond my control. When I was feeling better I got up and went on my own adventure with the car locating Decatur and travelling to the far end to go first to Trader Joe’s to purchase my first and only bottle of 2 buck chuck (now 3). I also got some fruit and cheese and delighted in all the things I had never seen before. Feeling renewed from not getting lost I decided to venture on and made my way to the local fabric store because I had always wanted to see what it was like in a Hancock’s. I got some buttons and ribbon and then made my way to Sheplers to spy out the boot selection. I found myself a cute peasant blouse with embroidery and then took a drive past the Orleans on the way back to the Rio to make sure I was ready for the evening.

Sister made it back about the same time as me and we commenced getting ready. We curled her hair and pinned her bangs and I put on my old favorite black halter dress and she wore my cute polka dot dress. Everyone looked smashing and we wore impractical shoes because well we knew we could only stand them for one evening. As it turns out we couldn’t even stand them for that and ended up buying some new shoes from a vendor at the show that night. I used the valet parking for the first of many times and decided that I should probably have tipped when they brought the car back but whatever I was thrilled to be there.

Now for the story I wanted to mention all weekend…we got our wristbands and I paid no mind to the thing but later in the evening I was to discover that mine was numbered 666…so here I was at Viva 13 with my 666 wristband my sister couldn’t believe it and said that’s what I get for being such a goodie goodie.

I was on a mission though to get upstairs to the ballroom and when we got there the Rip Em Ups were tearing it up. I was immediately smitten with the saxophone player and decided whatever happened after this it was all icing.

So my sister then went in search of a collector boot while I waited by the stage because for me there is just no one that compares to Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys. They did not disappoint and played Love that Man near the end with just that perfect hint of sarcasm.

We headed back to the hotel not too long after that as it had been a busy day and there was sure to be another tomorrow.

vegas vacation preflight and planes trains and automobiles

okay let's look back way way back to Monday when I finished work...I got home went to pilates and then came home too exhausted to think beyond damn I am so not ready to go that I think I will try to sew some more on my sundress.

then came Tuesday...got up early went and got my skin fine tuned and did some last minute shopping but found nothing helpful...got dressed up and head to the home town to help get lil' sister ready and attend an another event with my mom...drove home late and thought damn I still not ready to go.

so then it was Wednesday woke up early again determined to be ready...gave up on the dress...went to look for jeans and a new suitcase as I was now sure I need more room...found both and ran back home to pack like the wind...ended up bringing a lot of things I didn't need but when my sister's BF came to pick me up it all worked out.

we got to the airport on time took off our shoes so customs could x-ray them and then filled out our forms so we could depart...we took the little plane that could to Seattle on got off and were totally amazed at Seattle airport and the train between gates...we then got on a regular 737 and made our way to Vegas! we arrived late took a train again to the baggage claim and then a bus to car and were on our way to our hotel!  I got a little scared with all the reflective lane bumps on the road and ended up in the wrong lane and got pulled over by a police lady but she let me go after determining that I was too awestruck to care whether she gave me a ticket or not.

next I found parking in a larger than life miracle and we walked the 6 miles to the front desk at the Rio...all good we had arrived and our room was on the 16th floor in the Masquerade tower!