“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”….for about 18 seconds until it’s shared on Facebook.
This post took awhile for me to complete due to the mixed emotions I have in regards to the intensity of this place on our amazing planet called Earth.
If you’ve been following me for even a portion of the time, you’ve hopefully been able to feel my growth in areas like appreciating what I have, not wasting food, honoring my body and respecting others.
“Toot toot!” (That’s me blowing my own horn. Just thought I’d prepare you for it).
I believe in balance. I feel fabulous with healthy eating, but will rarely pass up a frozen yogurt or sweet potato french fry. Sleep is necesary for humans, but I’ve absolutly danced till the sun came up (ironically usually in Vegas). Although I choose water as my drink of choice, I can also enjoy a good beer or mojito (which I’m sure must have a vitamin or two in it, right?). If I choose to eat out, I’d rather split a meal so there’s no waste or over eating. I use electricity, but turn off unnecessary lights to save energy and I love creative fashion, but don’t feel the need to spend an abundunce of money “shopping”.
Well, Vegas doesn’t necessarily promote such things and this was a bigger challenge for me than I expected.
Other wise known as “Sin City”, this is a place where they say “anything goes”. As long as you’re 21 years of age or in some cases 19 with your cousins ID (which I am not condoning) you can arrive in this wild destination and play 24 hours a day. Gambling, pool parties, fancy drinks, dance clubs, entertainment with some of the top Dj’s in the world, famous chefs and many other almost unimaginable things.
This location will welcome you with high energy, remove your ability to sleep, take your voice, and politely kick you out while asking you to stay. That sentence only makes sense if you’ve been there… With me.
So why did I choose to go back this year? A different experience.
I am lucky enough to have incredible friends that live there. Yes, they actually have a real house with a front door, a dog and a back yard! They go to work and cook… In their own kitchen!
All jokes aside, this couple is one that I admire for their sincere care for one another. They respect themselves and appreciate what they have as a power duo. Inside and out they exude a beauty that should be described as welcoming, open minded and exceptional.
*Please see picture below to confirm the glow that radiats from Sabrina and Mark.
Here are some shots from different pool parties on the strip:
These are dear friends of mine from California that happened to be there on the same weekend. Fun!
Yes, they even have gambling by the pool!
This my buddy Rob, an all around gentleman. You can find him either working hard or playing hard… smiling, opening doors, and always making you feel like a queen for the day. Thank you again friend for another memorable day in Vegas!
I believe there are bigger reasons for things to fall into place, especially when it wasn’t planned or expected. This happens to all of us, I just think some are more aware of it than others.
While sitting poolside with Rob, we start chatting with two friendly fellas that had complimented my tattoo. Before I knew it, traveling was brought up and viola… New friends!
The “responsible one” holding the folders, actually working on this gorgeous day while enjoying a cold drink (my kind of pal) is Kit. He has the vibe of the “coolest dude” ever… Old enough to have done it and young enough to do it again.
The happy guy directly to my left (third one in) is Marshall. Turns out neither one of us could of predicted the friendship that this poolside meeting would entail. Our new connection should be described as extremely entertaining, awkward, and the most comfortable that a “Vegas” introduction could bring. High five to you Marshall!
Here we are walking the strip.
… an 1/8 of the strip during the day.
I’m not much of a gambler, so I only have one shot of the inside of a casino. If you desire more pics, it’s very easy to find on the Internet. Just search “pics of people emotionally confused at the site of their wallet magically decreasing in size”.
One of the hundreds of fountains:
I respect the technology… This thing must have the power to from go zero to 100mph in a few seconds.
My ride? If I pedal quick enough I can get from zero to 9mph just as fast!
The sun goes down, the vibe gets louder and we walk the strip again.
This was one of our unexpected stops. It started out as a cover band performing to an empty dance floor surrounded by tables of people starring into space as if they didn’t know what to do… Then enters Erika and Marshall! We start the dance party and before we knew it, it was a crowded floor and a lively band! The first pic is me shaking it with a man that used to be a professional dancer until he was paralyzed. They said he’d never walk again… They didn’t say anything about not dancing again!
This tunnel that had a moving walk-way with rotating colors! Let’s pause for a minute… It’s a power belt that carries you for several hundred feet so that you don’t have to walk yourself… Hmmm, this is one of those things that makes me wonder about our future.
This guy actually busted out a moonwalk while cleaning.
Vegas is well known for look a likes wandering the city and many shows duplicating famous stars from the past. I ran into Elvis.
Perfect for a Vegas handstand!
As you can see, it’s a very entertaining destination that can easily draw you into a world that almost hypnotizes the brain and body. It would be silly for me to say that I don’t enjoy my time here, because I do. However, when I step back and look at the reality of the energy and money spent to keep Vegas going, makes me wonder where else we could put that kind of force… And if we did, what a difference it would make.
*please note some of these pictures were taken from a phone so please ignore the blur. Also, if you really want to see the magnitude of Las Vegas, I highly suggest searching photos online!
Her Happy Trails 