My Las Vegas Impulse

Christmas Day in December 2020, lizardmen attacked. Just joking, but one person did believe in it. Setting off a car explosion in the middle of Nashville, blowing up the AT&T tower. It knocks out a good region of signal for those users. Lucky for me, I had Verizon. Anyways, it was a big thing that day. The FBI ran in fast to find answers. I was nervous because the next day I and Mark were hopping on a plane to Las Vegas. 

I guess what you are thinking. 2020 was still a high for Covid. I didn’t plan it! Two weeks prior, Mark asked if I could join them in Las Vegas for a tattoo appointment. This tattoo, which for the life of me I can’t remember his name, was really good at his work. His schedule was constantly booked up. Mark was on the waiting list for two years I think. They had someone else to go with them but backed out at the last minute. With their anxiety and lack of preparation, they needed someone to go with them. They had everything covered; I only needed to pay for my plane fare. I wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip. I texted my boss to see if I could get a last minute four days off. Again lucky me, at the time my boss was awesome to her favorites and the factory I was working at as a guard was shut down for the holidays. It was good timing. We plan the time and few things during our time. 

When  I saw the new Christmas morning, I was worried we wouldn't be able to fly out. We headed into the airport the next morning. It was bare. Hardly anyone was there. Not sure if it was due to Covid or being the day after Christmas, but we had to wait in line for the desk employees to check us in as the kiosk was down. The entire time people were having a hard time due to lack of cell service. After a few hours of waiting, an article came out stating the person that caused the car bombing, killed himself and believed lizardmen were evading. It was an insane situation, but it relieved me that it wasn't anything too serious, and we could take off. 

I am a very take charge person. Though nowadays I do wish for someone to help in the matter but back then. If I didn’t do it, no one would. I guide us through the airports, plan our rides, and where we go. We were only going to be there for three days and one of those days we were in a tattoo shop open to close as Mark does a full day session for their tattoo. When we got there, it was exciting because of the light and beautiful desert scenery. The sunset view was beautiful. The weather was in the 60s. If I had the time and money to rent a car, I would want to see more of the natural area and go hiking. 

I am not much for gambling; maybe I would be if I had some friends to play with to learn more about card games. On the first day of touring, we lyft to the beginning of the Las Vegas sign, where there was already a line for them. There was this guy that I don’t know if he worked the sign or free lance but he helped take your picture and guided us how to pose, which helps me because I still don’t know how to pose for pictures. He asked for tips and that's it, so I was happy about that. Mark wanted to take the lyft up the street but as I hate wasting money when things are in walking distance, I made us walk. Walking is good! If google says it is fifteen to twenty minutes why not. You get to see more of the areas or find a shop on the way. Las Vegas has so much to see. There were so many attractions and goodies; all  which I couldn’t afford at the time so I admired them instead. We visited two fancy hotels. The first was the Luxor, which is the big pyramid on. It has, like many, several attractions. I love the layout of it all. We went in for the Titanic museum. I don’t remember the person I was given but pretty sure it was a second class lady and she survived. They had the stairs too. I had and did get my picture taken on them. I wish I had a flowy dress on instead of yoga pants and a t- shirt. It was an interesting time. The most crazy and stressful moment was going into Caesars Palace. I only wanted to see the fanciness of it all and dream of being a guest there. Then I discover the shopping area of shops I will never dream of going into. High brand everywhere you look. The place was so clean and polished. It was nice to see but that place is not what I want to visit often. When I do visit again, I will need a map. We spent an hour trying to find a way back onto the main strip. Every time we exit the building it leads us to a dead end or a lording zone. It was insane and google maps was not helping me. I found out after that we only saw less than half of the hotel because somewhere in there is a freaking boat and river. Where was that?!

Anyways, the one thing I regret and I would do if I go back. Now that covid is stable, I would love to experience more of the buffets and food venues. Most of them at the time were closed down. We had some really good dessert and hotdogs, but I saw so much I wasn’t able to try. I am a bit of a foodie.

At the tattoo shop, I spent most of my time studying for a certification test I had the next week. I did hold Mark’s hand and try my best to distant them during the session when needed. They were getting a lover tarot card with skeletons and bats on their thigh, knee to waist. It was a big piece. They handle it like a champ until the shading. There they didn’t last too long. They called it around 7pm. They had to schedule to go back for the rest of shading, but I think until this day they still haven't scheduled the appointment. It's a beautiful piece of work. 

The rest of our time there, we walk the best we can with the fresh tattoo. Our flight was the next afternoon from the appointment, so Mark mostly rested. We went to a couple gift shops to get souvenirs. With us only having carry ons, I had to think about what I wanted. The plan was to start one of those travel collections where you buy the same thing from each place you go. I picked a hard form to collect, I think: the flask. I know not every place will have one, but it is flat and won’t break during travel when I squeeze it into my suitcase. 

The trip was short and fun. It was what I needed to get a way for a while. I do wish to go back, but I have other places I want to visit first. A random trip is always worth it. Advice, go for it!