Post Memorial Day Trip

So, tired of checking luggage when the both of us go, we needed to buy a second carry on bag for Vegas Trips. We up to about 4 a year, so it's about time we stopped checking luggage. The weekend before we left (Memorial Day) we on a whim decided to stop in at Macy's to look at luggage, since we has a small credit there (we thought about $10). We went to the Macy's in Santa Cruz, as we were also doing a family thing at the beach with the three of us, and decided to kill time while waiting for the fog to lift. Anyway, the suitcase we decided to get wasn't on the showroom floor, so the sales person went in back to find one. The only one that was the size/model we wanted was marked incorrectly and we ended up getting a a $179 (on sale) suitcase for $68. Then, we found out that our $10 credit was actually for $53, which made the suitcase almost free. Win #1.

We arrive in Vegas on time and well buzzed from the airport drinks and free southwest drink coupons. Grabbed a quick taxi to the MGM, checked in to our West Wing room (by choice.. the rooms are small and the bathrooms lackluster, but they are right on the strip, which is essential for us if we stay at the MGM). We hit the pool for a while but soon need to get ready for a bite to eat and Zumanity.

We haven't been to a Cirque show since LOVE opened, and have never hit a Cirque show before LOVE while in Vegas. But, we have been to many Cirque shows here at home. Zumanity was light on the amazing human tricks and heavy on the comedy, compared to most Cirque shows we've seen. All of the acrobats were quite good (the curtain little person and ring girl especially) and the rest were entertaining. Mostly, it was more of a dance show with some acrobats thrown in. The comedy was funny and raunchy, but nothing offensive to Em or I. Granted, when it comes to sensuality and sexuality, we are rarely offended. But, the comedians were very funny and raunchy and we enjoyed them. The show felt like a 'typical' vegas showgirl show, but with a cirque twist. I haven't seen a typical vegas showgirl show, but it seemed that way. Lots of topless girls, dancing and moving around trying to be erotic and stand out. Probably one of the hottest scenes in the show was the lone male homosexual scenes. They really captured the negativeness our culture has towards gay men and how some struggle with their own identity. Easily, one of my favorite scenes of the night (by my most favorite was anything with the red head girl in it... mmmmmm). For those extra squeamish hetero guys.. the guys do kiss at the end of the scene. If you have issues with that, get over and see it anyway.

After the show, it was gamble time. Blackjack wasn't very kind, but Craps was. We built a huge bankroll that would end up paying for the trip and all subsequent gambling.

The next day (tuesday), we wanted to see a matinee, so after a quick uneventful breakfast, we headed to the UA theaters to see the new Indy movie. We both liked it quite a bit (it's supposed to be a b-movie!), but I'll leave the review up to other sites as it was a 'vegas' experience, just something we did since we rarely see movies in the theatre anymore.

Then, it was time to head downtown for the shrimp cocktails at the Golden Gate. We walked around Fremont Street quite a bit as well, as we promised our little girl a Fortune Cat when we returned (which we knew that had at one of those little kiosks). We gambled at a couple of other places downtown as well, mostly breaking even, then headed back to the strip and NYNY to see Ri Ra at Nine Fine Irishmen. As always, they were great.

On Thursday, we got up a bit late and headed to the pool for a couple of hours. Of course, we didn't put any suntan lotion on so we both got burned! Ugh! After the pool, we headed to the Hard Rock. Right outside the West Wing entrance to the MGM, there is a shuttle stop for the Hard Rock Cafe. We hopped on that to save the cab fare then walked into the Hard Rock casino. We ate at the Pink Taco, and enjoyed it as usual. The tortilla soup was very good (which is Em's favorite soup), but it could have ben a bit spicier. But, no complaints, all of the food was good. Gambled a bit here, met a couple of people we would meet up with later, then shared a taxi back with someone we met to the MGM. By now, the sunburn was hurting quite a bit! Took a nap in the room for a while, then went back over to NYNY to gamble a bit, then hit Nine Fine and Ri Ra for the last time of the trip. They were just as good as always, and we met up with other people we met that day at Nine Fine.

The next day, it was time for the trip home. When I checked email at home, we now have a free southwest flight available, so we're trying to plan a trip before september

 

A nice hit and run Vegas trip Ken... good job!

 

Nice report - I was there around the same time and the weather was the best I've ever experienced in Vegas. Sometimes you just get lucky. Thanks for posting!

 

Do the Hard Rock shuttles from MGM run on a regular schedule? Great TR BTW. Love reading about everyone's adventures.

 

Thanks for the report Ken. We've thought about just doing the carry on luggage but that's just not realistic for us. Did you have most of your sucess at craps at MGM or NYNY?

 

Wow, what a whirlwind. Glad you came out on top on the gambling side!

 

You lucky bastard :evillaugh

Sounds like you and Em had yet another great time in Vegas...and umm, Ken, don't forget the sunblock next time!

 

yes, the Shuttle runs every 30 minutes from like 10am? until 11pm. It shows up at MGM at the 15 and 45

 

if it were more than 3 days, it would have been a bit more difficult, but you can make it work, as long as you don't bring too many shoes. Shoes take up lots of space! Also, we had to leave home some of Em's hair products, as she didn't have anything under 3oz, but still fit in brushes and hair dryer and flatteners and bunches of other stuff.

Most of the craps success was at MGM. I did okay at craps for the whole trip, mostly, but MGM is where the big money was.. surprisingly as I never usually do well at MGM.

 

Yeah, silly move with the sunblock... I'm usually really good about that, but oh well