My Traveling Diaries | 2014 | Las Vegas, USA

Have you ever only had a 24 hour notice of going on a trip?

Well, that's about the time that I had when my best friend told me that she was headed to Las Vegas and there was a spot open! Could I really pass that up? I've driven through Las Vegas multiple times, but I never truly stayed in Vegas. So, I considered this trip my first official stay in Vegas!

I came home from work and instantly started making my list and packing my suitcase. I had to think of all possibilities and start running errands. When I finally zipped up my bag, I realized something.... How terrified I was. Am I seriously doing this on such short notice? I was so nervous. What if something went wrong? The car broke down? I get mugged on the strip? I told myself I had to stop thinking, nothing has happened yet. This is what you do when you are twenty something! You travel! You take risks and you go on adventures. So, I charged my camera, locked up the house and I was psyched for going on the first official road trip of the summer! 

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On Day 1, we spent most of the day driving. There was four of us total on the trip. What seemed like an endless road of nothing, we finally drove through the cactus filled land of Arizona! We quickly came up on the border of Nevada, and soon enough the city of sin was in sight. I was filming as we reached the strip. Again, I squeal like a little piggy every time I see something new; you can imagine me gazing up and around at everything! We checked into the hotel and freshened up a bit. We took on the strip the first night. We mostly walked around to the casinos, stores, restaurants, bars, you name it. It’s been on my bucket list to see the Bellagio fountains, so I made us stop by :) We explored the Cosmo, Caesars Palace, Harrah’s, The Flamingo, Venetian, and anywhere else!

The next morning, we walked around and did more shopping and sightseeing. We went inside the Bellagio, The Miracle Mile Mall, and other places. That night we were planning to see the Cirque de Soleil show “Beatles Love” and I couldn’t wait!

We made it to the show and gave them our tickets. But something changed; they changed our seats...but they went from balcony seats to almost front row seats. I kid you not. All of us were geeking out, taking pictures and video, when we finally got in trouble because we weren’t allowed to take them. (Don’t worry, I didn’t delete them) I can’t even describe the show, it was absolutely incredible. I was only 1 foot away from the stage and I felt in the action. The actors smiled and waved, and I waved back! It was magical, effortless, euphoric, and made me feel so peaceful and happy!

It was an incredible weekend, I finally got to meet Vegas. I must have a thing for cities, because I fell in love again. It has such a… unique atmosphere. I never really felt threatened or scared really. I mean, when someone comes up to you and starts dancing, you dance with them. If you want to take stupid pictures, take them! If you want to dress to the nines and be sophisticated and elegant for a night, go ahead! You can do whatever  and be whoever you want. You get to feel glamorous and alive while you stay, it’s no wonder that so many people travel here. It’s a place unlike any other!

Thanks for Reading!

-Nicole

I call this... "Road trip Shenanigans: