The Kidless Weekend Getaway

Do not be fooled by the word ‘getaway’. Although it may seem like a quick jaunt over the weekend, it was far from it with us flying almost eight hours cross-country to get to our destination-Viva Las Vegas!

We reach after a seemingly long and slightly eventful (turbulence and problematic landing) flight, tired but ready to rock and roll in the city with a tagline-"what happens here, stays here". A provocative way to attract travelers to taste its glamour and pizzazz.

Upon reaching the hotel, our hunger takes over tiredness and we find ourselves in the casino lobby fending for a horse to eat. Of course, there is none in sight save for some on a slot machine. We decide to settle for lamb chops instead with some seafood, beer and wine at the hotel’s high end steakhouse. The juicy, delectable chops with steamed asparagus shake us out from the lull (for once it isn’t the alcohol) and we venture out into the city’s bustling night life. We walk on Las Vegas Blvd (better known as the ‘Strip’) only to feel like two country bumpkins, fresh off the ship. Vegas feels like a different world, a crazy, upbeat, vibrant, ultra modern city. We like what we see but decide to head back to the hotel, sleep off our tired bones and start fresh next morning.



Breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi, a French restaurant on the Strip with a European flair includes freshly baked croissant, country sausage, thick slices of bacon, eggs, coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. A great way to start an exploratory day of the city. We step into the Paris casino next door, a big expanse of slot machines, poker and blackjack tables, guests betting money and trying their luck at becoming rich. The casinos look the same, each boasting of more frills and wins than the other. The stroll through makeshift Paris with cafés, patisseries, quaint looking but expensive stores and Eiffel Tower transport us briefly to the ‘real’ place. One can tell by looking at the décor, street lamps, cobbled streets, the beautiful murals and statues that this attraction was painstakingly built to recreate the ‘Parisian’ ambience. The ladies room has beautiful hand painted sinks, a somewhat Victorian look and if one is keen on taking quick free lessons in French, Las Vegas style, you can easily come away learning a few handy dandy phrases like ‘you look hot today’ or ‘did I shave for this??’ or ‘your dress is hot and will look hotter on my bedroom floor’, imparted over a PA by a woman’s sultry voice.

As for me, I leave laughing heartily thinking about the brazenness of this city.



Las Vegas is undoubtedly a party place. With non-stop drinking, music, nightclubs, gambling, sex, lights and street action, it is a ‘mecca’ of fun. Mature somewhat tainted kind of fun. There is nothing modest about this town. Everything is big, done on a large scale. You can let go of your inhibitions, a place where you can let your hair down without the fear of being judged, labeled. The Strip comes alive at night with throngs of people filling it up, walking from one end to the other, most with drinks in hand, a skip in their step. There are street musicians, hawkers pawning off nightclubs and call girls, impersonators ranging from Michael Jackson to ‘man-whores’ dot the sidewalks with awed tourists lining up to take pictures with them for a dollar or two. Past midnight, the sidewalks are littered with pocket sized cards with nude girls, used by the hawkers, silently reminding us of the town’s debauchery.



Most casinos offer shows attracting some of the best talent in the country. We see a performance of the ‘Cirque du Soleil’ at the MGM Grand and it is spectacular. The acrobatic talent along with the beautiful background score, mind blowing effects and sets add to the fantastical artistry making it worthwhile and memorable. Considering these shows are not inexpensive, it is worth every penny and more.





The city makes us realize we are no longer young, less bold and energetic. But we don’t feel sad or discouraged either. We blend in but not quite. We are comfortable being the outsiders, observing the goings on from the periphery. The sidewalks seem like interminable fashion ramps, models showcasing their seemingly risqué attires. Despite my efforts to dress well and wear hip clothes, I feel conservative, overly dressed. But such is the beauty of this town- you enjoy it without being a part of it.



On day three, we drive 250 miles to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The drive through the barren, desert like landscape is unlike many of the trips we have taken in the past. The vast arid expanse on either side of the road with a string of mountains on the horizon is somewhat daunting. We arrive at the guest information center only to be flurried upon. Yes, tiny flakes of snow welcome us as we park our car and reluctantly step out in the biting cold. We curse ourselves for not turning on the weather channel in the morning. Who’d expect snow in May?? We hastily run into the center looking for extra clothing only to find some long sleeved shirts which we promptly buy and change into before planning our next steps. Since our time is limited we decide to visit only a few viewpoints and we start first at Mather Point. Despite a rather freakish weather of intermittent sun and flurries, we are lucky for the most part of the visit.



Grand Canyon has been on our travel list for some time now. Many friends and relatives rave about the magnificence of this natural preserve and it is only now we know why they do so. The view of the canyon from the two points we visit leave us breathless. Words cannot describe the spectacular vastness that is in front of us. We feel small, dwarfed by its enormity. We are awed by the power and beauty of the layered rocks, different hues across the vast and eroded ruins. At one of the viewing rooms, we stumble upon these few lines which aptly describe what this natural phenomenon stands for – “The landscape looks like vast ruins, thoughtlessly sculpted. Yet a pattern exists to the apparent chaos, and geology helps us decipher it". Feeling rather fulfilled, we depart contemplating a trip again sometime in the near future.



We return to Las Vegas to revel in its sinfulness- gamble, window shop, eat, drink and retire early to get ready for the flight home next morning. We enjoy this trip, a much deserved break from the mundane and kids but both Hubby dear and I are ready to go back, snuggle up with our little ones, dive into our routines and into the hum-drum of our suburban life.

And what we did in sin city did not get left behind like many other stories. We brought them home with us for nostalgia and posterity.