Epic Vegas Trip: Thursday

I suppose I should give you some background information about my Vegas trip. You’re reading this blog so I’m assuming you understand the dynamics of reading a perfect stranger’s words and thoughts and emotions and feeling a connection. The girls I met in Vegas I knew through blogging but had never actually physically met before.

We started reading each other’s stories back when we each had a private journal at livejournal- and because our journals were friends-only (meaning we only shared our blogs with approved individuals), we shared very intimate details of our lives. In some instances we became closer than our ‘in real life friends’ because there were no standards or expectations to live up to. We could be our true selves. Over the years our relationships progressed to myspace and facebook and twitter and even personal email.  We heard about deaths of family members, engagements and subsequent weddings, the births of our children, purchasing our first homes, lost jobs, financial struggles and gains, affairs, and impending divorces.

I started my (now abandoned) livejournal in 2005, so I’ve been friends with these women for the last six years. We’ve decided that this was the year we would officially “meet” and chose Las Vegas as a central location, as we’re each from a different state. Initially there were 8 girls coming, but unfortunately two ended up not being able to make the trip.

My plane landed in Vegas late Wednesday evening. Cassondra and Mary Anne were already checked into our room and because we three were early arrivals, we were sharing a room, with the other three ladies arriving on Thursday sharing the other room.

Cass, Mary Anne and I instantly clicked. I felt like I’ve known these two beautiful girls my entire life, which for the most part is true. They were exactly how they portrayed themselves to be and there was never a stalled conversation or a moment of unease- we were instant best friends. We spent Wednesday evening having drinks together while we talked and talked and talked. We moved the conversation back to our hotel room and ended the night passing out while still talking and still not quite believing that we were actually in the same space at the same time.

The three of us got up bright and early Thursday morning and were in desperate need of coffee. We dressed and headed to the Bellagio because of the amazing things we’ve heard about their buffet. The Bellagio itself is an amazing hotel and I was in complete awe of the blown glass ceilings.

We spent a good two hours at the Bellagio buffet, stuffing ourselves to the point of gluttony. The only known cure of gluttony? Shopping. So we headed to the shops at Caesers Palace for some serious retail therapy.

This hotel was ah-may-zing. From the detail and architecture to the fabulous mix of shops (think H&M right next to Dior). We were in heaven.

We probably spent a good three hours shopping and checking out stores that up until this point I’ve only imagined. The down part of my afternoon was Clay texting me that he dropped his phone and broke the speaker so he couldn’t make or answer any calls. I had only been away from him and our kiddos for a day and I was already missing them and their voices. Thankfully he was texting me pics from home and that helped a bit.

By this time it was getting to be about the time that the other girls should have been arriving, so we headed back to the Tropicana to welcome them, taking in all the sights and attactions along the way.

Jill’s flight was landing at noon but she was waiting at the airport until 4pm when Laura’s flight was landing; Cali was getting arriving last around 5pm. In the meantime, Cass, Mary Anne and I enjoyed the warm Vegas sun shining through our hotel window and laughed hysterically at YouTube Videos. Our favorites? Bon Qui Qui at Burger King and The F.U. Sign Language Performance. HYSTERICAL.

Sadly at this point the day started to get a little tense. It was after 6pm and we still haven’t heard from Jill and Laura, who had been in Vegas for hours at this point. We were worried (and starving for dinner but we didn't want to make plans without them) so finally Mary Anne texted Jill, who instantly replied back that they had already checked into the other room. I’m not going to lie- I was hurt by this, that they wouldn’t immediately want to meet up as soon as their flights landed. It was, well, a little hurtful to think that they were not only off their planes but checked into their room only three doors down and never felt the need to call any of us to even say they landed safely. I could understand if maybe they wanted some time to freshen up or relax after their flight, but the no contact thing I couldn’t.

I was determined to make the most of this vacation though, so I buried all my feelings of unease and put on my game face. And honestly? It was an amazing night. Cali’s flight was delayed until around 9pm but she called the minute she landed and within minutes we were all together, living it up in a Las Vegas club. You know those nights that are just so fun and so effortless that you don’t even take pictures? Well this was one of those nights. (And it didn’t help that we each consumed more than our fair share of cocktails and I don’t think anyone trusted themselves to hold any sort of valuable electronic equipment).

We had shots at Coyote Ugly and danced our asses off at Jet. I may or may not have even danced on a Vegas stripper pole. It was a magical night. It ended on a slightly uncomfortable note unfortunately. Cali and I took a cab back to the hotel - where we had the opportunity to talk and bond even more! - and we arrived minutes after the first cab dropped off our four friends.  It was at this point that we were told that Laura spent the entire cab ride back to the hotel bawling and having panic. We were all very worried about her, and Cali and Jill spent the rest of the night talking in our room to give her some space.  Jill and I are the only two of the group who aren't direct friends with each other so I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know her- she's gorgeous and hilarious and vibrant and an epic story teller.  The five of us talked until we couldn’t keep our eyes open any longer and eventually we each passed out in our respective beds. 

Ultimately it was an amazing night in Vegas.  There were some initial bumps and apprehension but I think that's to be expected in a group such as ours, where we knew each other but not really.  And while it definitely was tense at times, I fully believe that we each were doing what we could to put each other at ease and just have fun.  I fell asleep in love with these girls and couldn't wait for Friday.