Viva Las Vegas - Part III

After sleeping 4 hours, we decided it was time to really see Las Vegas. In the daylight. With other people around. I was in awe as soon as we left our hotel room, snapping pictures left and right. First order of business was to head to the Bellagio for the breakfast buffet. We had to hit the buffets on Wednesday, because for the rest of the week, the prices were basically doubling for the holiday. Crazy!

View on the way to brunch

 

I managed to fill up four plates of food. Go ahead, judge me. I really only ate about half of what was on each plate - so I guess I ate two plates of food. And every bite was worth it.

 

Post plate #3, my mom thought I had gone up to go to the bathroom. I came back with a fourth plate of food. We decided  to leave before they kicked me out. I was all hopped up on Diet Coke and sugar and ready for some more Las Vegas action.

We explored the Bellagio casino and lobby (where I was harrassed by a creepy talking tree, totally not cool), went in to Paris (where I was attacked by a gorilla, confession: this may have been a self-selected attack), and went back to the hotel for naps.

 

Bellagio Lobby

 

Evil talking tree

 

Me and the fam - Thanksgiving-themed lobby at the Bellagio

 

View from the Bellagio - looking at Paris and Bally's

Self-inflicted gorilla attack.

After our wanderings came more wanderings. I woke up, showered and attempted to look presentable. Then we decided to make our way down the strip! I wanted to see as many hotels and casinos as possible. Although, they sort of all look alike - they really do have their differences too! Great people watching in Las Vegas. Like, really great.

 Check it out. Mario is totally hammered!

 Me in a giant high heel at The Cosmopolitan - Christmas gift idea?

 The New York Skyline in Las Vegas - really cool hotel and casino

I turned in to a ginormous crab after dinner. I was so tired! I had a little time out in our room, then we ended the night by watching the fountains at the Bellagio and then getting lost in exploring Caesar's Palace. Before I knew it, it was real late and time to go to bed so I wouldn't be a Thanksgiving crab slash birthday bia.

Viva Las Vegas - Part II

Time to recap the Las Vegas trip... One word: amazing. Ok... I'm done now! Just kidding.

Let's back things up. The day I departed for Vegas, I took my last final exam.

In all reality, I have no idea what I got. But I am pretty sure I passed, meaning I AM DONE WITH GRAD SCHOOL!!!! This did not happen without any issues though. Of course, I couldn't log in to my exam. I had a mental breakdown in the middle of a public library. Then my professor reset my exam, and all was well. So instead of crying tears of joy after my final, I cried tears of panic during my exam. I don't think it was until I was complete with all of the essay questions that I finally calmed down. Don't worry though, I reviewed my exam with a completely sane mind (ok, I'm only 75% sane all of the time...) Whoopsies. Sorry librarian proctor!!!!

Anyway, I then went on a mad dash to Party City to find things to decorate myself for my birthday. I settled on an 'It's my birthday' light-up necklace that was unfortunately broken. Got the delicious truffle mushroom mac and cheese from noodles and co. Enjoyed some celebratory champagne, finished packing up my stuff and hopped in a cab for the CLT airport!

 

Airport = excuse to drink wine and people watch. I hung out at Chili's before I hopped on my flight to ATL. More wine in ATL and some really good soft pretzels with dipping sauces. Nom nom. I met my family there and finally got on our very delayed flight to Las Vegas.

 Mom and Jonathan

Me and Dad

We sat on the runway for like an hour - there were storms and had to clear debris before any planes could take off.  When the pilot announced we were 15th in line for departure, I knew we were in for the long haul. Don't you just love the Atlanta airport? After midnight, we were finally in the air. Some magazine reading and a 2 hour nap later, we were starting our descent in to Las Vegas. Holla!!!

 

Dad arranged for a limo to pick us up from the airport. Our limo driver was crazy but hillarious. See below evidence. At this point in time, it was 4 AM EST so I think we were all a little loopy. He drove us around to see the sights and we even had a photo shoot at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign! There weren't many people out - surprisingly since it was only around 1 AM PST. Jonathan did sight a hobo outside of our limo though - he alerted everyone to roll up the windows, yo.

 

After all of that, we finally arrived at the hotel! The Flamingo. It smells like tropical coconuts inside and I love it.  Jonathan passed out.

The rest of us went to get some late night (or early morning?) food which seemed to take forever to arrive. It was good though, or maybe we were just that hungry... Anywho, after being up for 24 hours (minus one 2-hour plane quality nap), we were ready for bed!!!

Part III coming soon!!

Viva Las Vegas - Part I

Hi Everyone! I am finally back from the most amazing trip ever in Las Vegas. Celebrating Thanksgiving and my birthday was particularly special in this sparkly city.

More detailed posts to follow... but here are a few of my favorite shots of the trip!

The family and I just after our arrival!

A great view of the strip at night

Me and the star of Divas - Frank Marino

We did a lot in Las Vegas. I can't wait to tell you more about it! I also can't wait to go back!!! There is just so much to do there. It was an exhausting trip, but so much fun. There are so many more things that I want to do! When is the next trip?!

More recap posts:
Viva Las Vegas Part II
Viva Las Vegas Part III
Viva Las Vegas Part IV
Viva Las Vegas Part V
Leaving Las Vegas