Vegas Vacation

Last week my family went on a vacation for the first time in over 10 years (we have all been on vacations since then, just not all together). My immediate family along with 2 of my cousins headed to Las Vegas. My parents got married in Vegas so they try to go back every year or so.

I have been twice before (once when I was 13 and again 2 years ago) and honestly was less than excited about the trip. But everyone else wanted to go so I decided to put on a happy face and stick it out. I would love to say Vegas exceeded all of my expectations and I fell in love but it did not and I did not. I do not love gambling so I acknowledge my opinion is bias, but the city just creeps me out. You can't look up, down, or ahead when you are on the streets, which makes it hard. Needless to say, I don't think I will be going back any time soon. Sorry for the full disclosure, but now on to the good stuff.

Jacki & her husband John

My Parents

We arrived on the Forth of July and watched fireworks outside of Caesars.

The second day we went to Freemont street, which is old Vegas. There is a pretty nifty light show that covers the street that connects the Casinos. It plays every 30 minutes at night and is worth seeing.

Picture worthy cites

From the top of the Eiffel Tower (if only it were the real one...)

My brother was unable to get the entire week off of work, so he joined us half way through our trip. My brother and I have gotten a lot closer over the last few years and I can honestly say I wish he was there the whole time. The trip was much better once he got there, but that is partly because waited for him to go see the shows, which were unquestionably the most enjoyable aspect of the trip. We saw O by Cirque du Soleil and The Price is Right.

O was AMAZING! If you are ever in Vegas, GO SEE IT. I loved every stinking minute of it. At times I didn't follow the story but I didn't care. It was beautifully breathtaking. I pictured myself flying through the air and diving into the water. I had a dull ache in my chest as my passion for swimming reignited. The stage was a piece of art in and of itself; it transformed between a pool and ground seamlessly several times throughout the performance. And don't get me started on the performers. How do they do that?!

The Price is Right pretty closely resembled the actual TV show. The announcer was different and the prizes were a little less grand, but on the whole it was the same. Sadly no one from my family got to "Come on down." but I enjoyed myself anyway. I got caught up in the madness and found myself screaming "$1."

My brother Mike and me at The Price is Right