Back From the Desert

David R.

March 23, 2011 - 3:44 PM

Luckily, I was able to make it back from Sin City in one piece...but my wallet sure didn't. Quality vacations are rarely free, so my bank account took the hit that it was expected to before I left. Not necessarily because of the gambling aspect of Las Vegas, but simply because everything there is so expensive. A tiny beverage full of ice cost me $15 at one of the restaurants in our hotel. It was all well worth it, but that is why we decided to spend only three days there, compared to a man we met in the elevator who had been there for two weeks.

The MGM Grand was everything I was expecting it to be, and the pool area was the best part. I call it an area because that is really what it was. There was not one pool, but four, not including the creatively designed lazy river that ran its way around the pool courtyard. Unfortunately the sun was only shining the day that we got there, but we were there early in the morning so we had a chance to take advantage of it.

March Madness is always a great time to be in Las Vegas, and I think it is safe to say that the majority of the bets made at the sports book were made on college basketball teams. There were people all over the place sporting their college basketball jerseys to show a little support for their favorite teams. The sports betting areas were packed full of people while the tournament games were being played, and were then deserted once the day's games were over. It was crazy hanging around this area in our hotel because people were constantly yelling and screaming in joy and disgust every time a crucial moment in the game came around. I'm sure it wasn't because everyone watching was a huge fan of the teams playing, but rather that the majority of the people residing in the sports book for the games had money on one team or another. To me this is one of the most fun places to hang out during the day (other than the pool) and those who have been to a casino sports book before know that there are television screens covering everything from basketball to horse racing.

The trip was over before it felt like it had even started, but they say that time flies when you're having fun. The nightlife on the strip was spectacular as it always is, and I can never get enough of the Las Vegas lights. It seems like spring break just began but tomorrow is already Friday and I'll be back in class before I know it. I've had a great break so far and hopefully there is more to be had. I'll be heading up to Portland for the next few days to try to enjoy the remainder of my break before I embark on my last term as a college student (which is still weird to say).