What happens in Vegas happened to me

Ah, Vegas.

CK: I had no idea, having gone only twice before. Once when I was an exchange student in 1977 (yes, the American Field Service brought all of the local exchange students in Southern California – from Greece, Germany, Israel, England, Iran, Brazil and New York (!) to Vegas for a weekend). Then last year with my children. Quite a different experience to go with a gaggle of girls. I would say that as far as meeting men, Vegas presents endless opportunities. Great for the ego when one has just turned 50 but not super for anything meaningful or lasting!

DT: It took me awhile to get to this post == post traumatic stress syndrome. I'd never been to Vegas but glad I got to experience it was in my lifetime. It's surreal, numbing, overstimulating, over the top, crazy. It is a great place to meet people of all types - gay, straight, male, female, average size, midget, old and young. All types of dress from glittery prom to tee shirt and jeans. The motorcycle gathering in old Vegas was my favorite . . . along with the low stakes tables there. We didn't do much gambling however, at least not in the monetary sense.

Some highlights:

• CK: We were propositioned by our cab driver, Singh, on the ride from the airport to our hotel (Luxor, which you can actually see from the airport!) He gave us his number and suggested we call him later that night. DT: Well dressed, good smelling cab driver who is a good conversationalist, drives well and speaks decent English . . . doesn't get much better than that.

• DT: Beware of entering the casino’s hotel lobby at 8 or 9 am - the hardcore visitors are STILL drinking and smoking when you go down for your morning coffee.

• CK: We had a 26-year old volunteer for a “drag back”the first night at dinner. His name was Q and he was our bartender. I think DT also had a bead on one of the Mariachi singers serenading a group with Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” DT: Handsome African-American bartender who I don't believe was 26 but nonetheless was too young for CK or me. We prefer the more 'mature' man - to help contrast our increasingly adolescent mindset. The main singer in the Mariachi band in the Mexican restaurant, where supposedly the margarita was invented, was quite a looker, and tried his best to obey my command to lower himself to the floor once more so I could get a look at his firm backside. He didn't quite manage it . . . perhaps his English was not so good. Neither was his rendition of "Sweet Caroline."

• DT: Poolside retreat on sunny afternoons in the mid 80s. And ladies don't be shy about putting on the suit, the women and men are all shapes and sizes. And I guess the men aren't looking for perfection in a one night stand (just an assumption). Everyone's pretty cool about that. Be proud of that flab in your midsection. I hear some men find it 'cute'.

• CK: Men who are gambling are about as bad as men watching a football game in terms of their interest in engaging in conversation. We were able to meet “Boots” (as we called him – because he wore cowboy boots and works for zappos.com). He was entertaining with his stories of his Eskimo father and Swedish basketball mother who met on safari.

• DT: The funniest, most surreal scene: male and female midgets dressed, respectively, as Elvis and Marilyn. Where else would you see this?


• CK: The bar/dance floor called “Eyecandy” at Mandalay Bay was a gold rush for men. We met the sad sack divorcee from Long Island, the singing sensation whom I told I had kids older than him (to which he replied “Really? You have kids over 40?”; it’s so hard to judge their ages!), the “homeland security” agent who really worked for the post office, and our greatest find of all time F and G from the Netherlands.


• DT: Bellagio fountains were inspiring . . . probably more so with a romantic date. Gave us lots of entertainment and attention. A definite highlight among highlights.

• DT: Don't plan or expect to sleep much - between the night life and the time change it's hard to know what time it is or whether you should waste your time sleeping! CK: My sister tells me they pump oxygen into the casinos to keep people awake. If that’s the case, a) it doesn’t mask the cigarette smoke and b) it’s not necessary; one doesn’t want to miss anything when only in Vegas for three days!

• CK: Coming back to Albany was a let-down after all of the fun, excitement and plethora of available men. I use the term available loosely, as most were probably married and live a great distance from us. But I may give Vegas another try – same time next year?

• DT: Lastly, my companion CK was the best part of the trip. What other gal can have so much fun running on coffee and NA Beers. Thanks to her for getting me to see LV – for the first and probably last time!