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Published: November 20th 2008
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I've finally made it to Vegas for the first time, to see if what happens here does actually stay here. I wonder if you're not planning to do anything debaucherous, if that actually counts. We'll see!
I flew out yesterday from Newark and was fortunate to get a whole row to myself on the plane - this was especially exciting because I was exhausted and fighting a migraine, but it did make me realize that whether you have one seat or three, planes just aren't comfortable. As we ascended, a field of fluffy white clouds spread out below us, reminding me of a knobby old sweater, and the sky was on fire with the sunset. I wished I could have taken a picture, but we were still at the point of "no electronics." I guess flight attendants figure that there are more amateurs on a flight to Vegas, because during their instructions, they told everyone that we had to turn off all electronic devices, and then came back on to say "this means anything with an on/off switch should be in the off position." Hilarious, but also a little bit scary.
The flight went smoothly (no lost passports this
time!) and I landed in Vegas around seven. The terminal felt deserted, as if we were arriving in the middle of the night, and I wondered if the state of economy may be having an effect on this city of excesses. Our events planners assure me that they're as busy as ever though, and it does seem as though there are lots of people here!
The hotel had offered to pick me up from the airport, and I met up with Chris, my driver, by the baggage carousels. We zipped back to THEhotel at Mandalay Bay in a gold (yes, gold) limo. The drive only took seven minutes, which is officially the shortest transfer from the hotel to the airport I have ever had! I was disappointed to not really get to see the strip, since the hotel is right at the end of it, but I know I'll be seeing it in all its glory as the week goes on. Plus, I can see the Luxor pyramid and sphinx from my room. Actually, I can see the airport from my room too - very strange!
My room is pretty sweet, since it's a suite (ha ha, pun
intended!). I've got a half bathroom right next to the door, and then a sitting area with a huge flat screen tv, desk, couch, side tables, coffee tables, the works. The bedroom is similarly sized, with a huge king sized bed (I love to be able to lie sideways in a bed and still not touch the edges!) and another tv, as well as a spacious bathroom with the deepest tub I've ever seen and yet another tv! It seems a little silly for one person, but fits in with the theme of excess. I got right down to business when I arrived, unpacking and ironing, which is probably NOT the first thing most people do when they're in Vegas, but helps get me settled and ready for the week ahead!
I debated posting a blog today because I haven't actually left the hotel, but then I realized that most people never leave their hotels while they're here, so it wouldn't be that strange. Hunting for the Starbucks for our first meeting of the morning led me through the casino, near a few restaurants and right by the wedding chapel. It turns out that there are actually two Starbucks
in here (and my town can't even have one!). There's even a tattoo parlor right off the casino floor. Maybe the delegates should all get matching tattoos to commemorate the conference! This place is so huge that I can really see how you could get lost (and into trouble) and no one would ever notice!
During the meetings, we got a chance to see the conference space - they have over a million square feet of conference space here, which I can't even comprehend! - and got the lay of the land a little. After two meetings, and a conference call at eleven thirty, we had some lunch at THEcafe, which was pretty good. I had a club sandwich with fries, and for those who have read my blogs before, you know I always like to test out a hotel's fries. However, I'm noticing that every time I order food (room service, lunch), it arrives slightly cold, which makes me less than happy with the fry quality. I guess that's what happens with such a big place and so much food to prepare! I do love the marketing that THEhotel does though - everything has a "the" stuck on
it. Even the sticker they put on the toilet paper roll says "THEtp." Very funny, and memorable. I'm such a marketing nerd that I do notice these things!
I'd like to say that I checked out some of the hotel's amenities this afternoon, but the truth is that I ended up putting together the welcome packets and arranging for their pickup and delivery, as well as focusing on a couple of other things. So nothing scandalous to report yet! I'm mostly loving the experience of the place, which is so different to anywhere else I've traveled - it's fascinating to people-watch, and to see how everything is taken to the excess here, from the food to the drinking to the gambling, even the size of my room! Tonight, we're checking out Michael Mina's Stripsteak restaurant and then tomorrow, I'm free all day until three, when the conference craziness officially begins! We've got some really cool activities planned for the group, so I'll have a lot to talk about!
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