No Romance in Vegas (well at least not for me)

It's July, I have been away an awful lot these past two months - only a few days ago I was driving back to the UK from Romania, with my parents.
Therefore it's no wonder that the traveling bug count is still pretty much present in my blood...
Once you start... it's hard to stop, isn't it?

It was the Sunday, 19th of July, when Brooke, my stepdaughter, popped down from London to see me. She was complaining that Daniel, her boyfriend, went to Vegas on a stag weekend, managed to lose a small fortune hitting on the casino's, and he has also managed to also lose his passport.
Luckily, Brooke has managed to change her flight request for Vegas and she determined that her boyfriend will return with her, willing or not!
(Oh, I forgot to say that Brooke is a senior Cabin crew for the Virgin Atlantic Airline).

Right, I thought: rescue mission! What an excuse to travel some more!

My eyes lit with pleasure when I have asked Brooke if she minded if I came to Vegas too. Far from it, she said, and why not ask her best friend Suzy too, after all, why let the boys have all the fun?
It took me a couple of seconds to get my card out of my purse and book the flight and guess what?
The next morning I was on the way to Vegas, baby!

Brooke and I met Suzy at the airport and, three or so films and a few (small) bottles of wine later, we all landed safely in Vegas.
Suzi and I were quite perky as we flew business class- whilst poor Brooke, who had to work- was a little worse for wear. That, and the thought of the stranded and broke boyfriend.

But my joy was short lived when I found that my luggage was still decorating the London Gatwick airport and I was stuck with no spare clothes and make up. No makeup!!! Can you just imagine what a disaster?!
Luckily the girls had spare clothes, plenty of make up and for the rest... I had the American Express!

The Virgin Crew were all staying at the Planet Hollywood Hotel and soon enough we were joining them in the lobby.
Planet Hollywood rooms were inexpensive I thought- but then they make their money through other ways- and we had managed to spend the afternoon by the pool.
But if you think we had spent one minute gambling- think again! We're girls!
And if you thought Brooke's boyfriend was allowed to get near any gambling facilities- no way!
It was funny if a little cruel seeing Danny squirm but then he has lost a lot of $ and it didn't go down well...

The evening was spent dining on the terrace at the French restaurant Mon Ami Gabi- just perfect for watching the fall of the Bellagio fountain. To me, it was just bliss- perhaps because I love the classical music (the sound of the Andrea Bocelli's 'Time To say Goodbye') and the meal wasn't bad either!
All in all, I am afraid to say that I would be a boring company in Las Vegas - to me it's only worth seeing the shows, wining, dining and sunbathing by the pool (blasphemy, I know!) but then my inability to understand any game of cards is a pretty good excuse!

Okay, I am sure I could do a stint at the roulette- who couldn't- but Robert Redford was sadly, out of town, and I am no Demi Moore either!
Brooke and Suzy told me a funny story- when they first went to Vegas they packed their most glamorous outfits. Only to discover, when they went to the lobby, that they in fact stood out like a sore thumb!
Just about everyone was in t-shirts and shorts and flip-flops and by comparison Brooke and Suzy looked like Hollywood film stars- or like high class call girls!
Ooops!
They made a hasty retreat and changed to a more casual attire- and luckily they had managed to prevent some other ignorant people (like me, par example), of the perils of dressing too nice!
Unless, of course, you are invited to the exclusive gambling lounges situated usually on the higher floors. ..

I can't say for sure that Vegas is definitely me- but I have enjoyed it and with the right company and not at the height of the season (avoid JULY and AUGUST at all costs), it is a fun destination...
So sorry to rain on a lot of parades out there- and confess that I HAVE NOT gambled one dollar (now I suppose I could have at least tried a slot machine!) but Las Vegas is an interesting, fun destination, even to the likes of me, the ultimate useless gambler.
But, if the going is good, I scrub up nicely and wouldn't mind accompanying someone to the Casino- providing they won't ask me to kiss the dice for good luck- oh, no! it would be the kiss of death!
So..., sorry you all, for sounding cheesy, but: VIVA LAS VEGAS?