Guess Where
Just so you know, this is a stand-in post. It’s not a real post. I miss you and this blog like crazy right now, but I wouldn’t want to lie to you guys and let you believe this is my best work, because it’s not. I’m a little (no, a lot) distracted right now.
Why?
Oh, because I’m in Las Vegas this very minute. No, that’s not entirely accurate. I’m not in cheesy Vegas, so don’t think about Circus Circus, the Mirage or even the Dunes.
I’m in Las Vegas at the most upscale, coolest hotel ever. And when I say “coolest,” I don’t mean that loosely. I mean it like there is actual art all around the lobby. Ladies in pin-up-like uniforms prance around the casino selling American Spirits. The lobby bar looks like Wonderland threw up on a copy of Vogue. I can’t afford to eat at any of the restaurants. The hotel shampoo is a brand so expensive I have seen it in fancy shop windows, but never in an real-life person’s home. There is a freaking Japanese soaking tub in the room. I’ve spent nearly a quarter of the trip in that tub.
So you can see why I haven’t had time to write since I got back from camping. I turned around and stepped through a portal to another dimension (otherwise known as “tagged along on husband’s business trip”). This is a dimension full of glamorous people sipping cocktails upon awakening and cheerfully gambling away what is no doubt pocket change to them, but to me would be groceries for six months. I, on the other hand, have been fantasizing I am a lead character in Ocean’s Eleven, or at the very least a Bond movie. My fingernails are even painted a sparkly color. This I call getting in character.
I’m having a great time. Free gym. Cable TV. People watching in a chic setting. Did I mention the Japanese soaking tub?
So I’ll be back for real soon, and this will include writing about my true feelings for this bizarre city. They may surprise you…
…or they may not. I don’t have time to think about it really, I need to put on my gown for a black-tie event and meet up with the cast of Cirque du Soleil for an aperitif.*
*code for “go read in the Japanese soaking tub”
50 Comments
Linda Roy
Enjoy!! How do you say awesome in Japanese? That is a total portal to another universe post camping. You are currently vacationing in the “and now for something completely different” category. 😉
Linda Roy recently posted…Book Review: Wild Woman Waking by Morgan Dragonwillow
Natalie DeYoung
It was a definite portal to another universe, lol.
chamanasgar
I can see you’re having a lot of fun,it’s good because when you come back you’d be re-energized to take over your editorial duties.We’d also wait patiently to hear about your vacation.
All the best to you Natalie.
Take care,
Ranu
Natalie DeYoung
Thank you, Ranu.
Stacie
Have fun!! I loved “O” when I saw it in Vegas!
Natalie DeYoung
Aw, I wish we could go see something! Maybe next time.
Ellen
Wow, the two ends of the vacation spectrum back to back! Enjoy tagging along, real life comes again soon enough.
Ellen recently posted…Happy
Natalie DeYoung
That’s true enough. Life will be waiting for me when we get home later today.
Karen
I am super jealous of that tub! Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Karen recently posted…Legacies
Natalie DeYoung
Thank you! The tub is pretty amazing.
Pam
This sounds amazing! I tagged along on my husband’s business trip and we stayed at a crappy hotel in SF. Not that it was so awful, but girl, you are living the life! So jealous. And for the record, I’m not convinced that every blog post needs to be a blogger’s best work.
Pam recently posted…A Woman’s Guide to Buying a Car (It’s more like TJ Maxx shopping than you think).
Natalie DeYoung
I know, it’s been surreal. I’m just going to soak in my last few hours here.
Ericamos
Sounds amazing!!! Have a fabulous time, and stock up on those shampoo samples! 😉
Ericamos recently posted…New Beginnings
Natalie DeYoung
I’m stuffing my bag full of them!
Chris Plumb
Wait…you’re going to bathe in the Japanese pool with the entire crew of Cirque? Who are you? In all seriousness, that place looks bizarre and great at the same time. Enjoy. Vacays are good.
Chris Plumb recently posted…Don’t Judge My March Madness Obsession: 7 Validating Reasons to Watch NCAA Tournament Basketball
Natalie DeYoung
I don’t even recognize myself, Chris.
Kate Hall
Oh cool! I love tagging along on my husband’s business trips. He’s had some good ones. I don’t think we’ve ever stayed in a place that nice, but we’ve been to some fun places, like Hawaii and Disney and, maybe not so cool for you since you live there, but cool for me, L.A. 🙂 Have a great rest of your time, soaking in that Japanese tub! I’m not even sure what that is, so take a picture.
Kate Hall recently posted…All the Important Things in the 80s…Like Love’s Baby Soft
Natalie DeYoung
This definitely takes the cake as far as hotel rooms go. And I can see how LA would be appealing for someone not from here. One of my favorite things to do here is to do touristy things and pretend I don’t live here. It helps to see it through fresh eyes.
Jen Brunett
That sounds A-Mazing!! Have the best time ever! And take pics of your sparkly nails. 🙂
Jen Brunett recently posted…iQuit
Natalie DeYoung
Thanks! Will do. 🙂
Kim
You went to Vegas and didn’t tell me?! I live in Vegas! If you were up for it I so would have met up with you for coffee!
Hope you have had a fantastic trip in this crazy city.
Kim recently posted…Top 5 Ways to Lose Readers
Natalie DeYoung
No way! I had no idea!
I’m bummed I missed you. I was on a bit of an Internet hiatus…
Christi @ EditMoi
Oh, come on, you can so write in the tub! 😉
Christi @ EditMoi recently posted…Apparition
Natalie DeYoung
Okay, you’re right. I’m just lazy. 😉
Samantha Brinn Merel
This is so amazing! I’ve never been to Vegas because the whole lights and noise and gambling thing has never really appealed to me, but I think this hotel may be a must-visit. Have fun!
Samantha Brinn Merel recently posted…Throwback Thursday
Natalie DeYoung
I am not generally a fan of Vegas for the same reasons. I am, however, a fan of hot tubs…
Stephanie @ Mommy, for Real.
That. Looks. Amazing. I am a teensy bit jealous right now, and I can’t wait to hear your reflections when you return! Enjoy!
Natalie DeYoung
It’s every bit as amazing as it sounded…
Sarah | LeftBrainBuddha
GORGEOUS! How lovely and enjoy soaking in that bathtub. Have a great time 🙂
Sarah | LeftBrainBuddha recently posted…No Playing Favorites. Everything is Awesome!!!
Natalie DeYoung
Not bad, huh? 😉
Pam Huggins
Yay! You just keep getting in character! Have fun.
Pam Huggins recently posted…MY NORTH DAKOTA FRIEND
Natalie DeYoung
Now that I’m back, I kind of miss that character.
Vanessa D.
That hotel is gorgeous but why is there no picture of the soaking tub?
Vanessa D. recently posted…A Pinch of Hurt
Natalie DeYoung
You’re right. I’ll have to upload some…
Shailaja V
Okay, now I’m jealous! If that was your intent, you succeeded 😉 Have a blast and write that other post soon 🙂
Shailaja V recently posted…Of Beethoven, writing and transformation- Free Write
Natalie DeYoung
Not my intent, but how could I not share about it? 😉
Ice Scream Mama
so fun! omg – that shoe! vegas is like no other place. enjoy! we’re here, waiting for ya. 🙂
Natalie DeYoung
That shoe stopped me in my tracks, haha.
Larks
Man, oh, man, Vegas! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a more surreal place. Totally worthy of an Ocean 11’s fantasy. And you had me at “Japanese soaking tub.”
Larks recently posted…Comment on Stuff-lust-ers Anonymous should be a thing. by Ice Scream Mama
Natalie DeYoung
It totally is surreal. I pretended I was a movie star traveling incognito, because I am secretly twelve years old…
TriGirl
Ah, Vegas. Those high-end hotels are really something. I’m not sure I can picture a Japanese soaking tub but it does sound wonderful. I like going to Vegas but I always feel out of place around the fancy people, even when I try to dress up. Hope you’re enjoying your last soak!
TriGirl recently posted…My Runger Monster
Natalie DeYoung
I felt out of place, too, but I just went with it. 😉
Daniel Nest
Oooh nice, keep enjoying the good life! And if you ever decide to act on that Ocean’s Eleven thing, give me a shout. I have a certain set of skills, and I know a few people…but I may have said too much.
Daniel Nest recently posted…4 reasons Crimea’s upcoming “referendum” is an epic farce
Natalie DeYoung
I’ll keep you in mind…but I don’t want to give anything away here.
A Pleasant House
Why is it that the husbands travel to places like Oz and we have to stay in Kansas? Don’t forget to expense a few pairs of ruby red slippers.
A Pleasant House recently posted…Taking Stock
Natalie DeYoung
I know! I’ve never been on a business trip, unless you count BlogHer, so I live vicariously through him.
Misty
Ok, maybe you said it and I just missed it, but what hotel is that? It looks bizarrely fabulous! The shoe is fantastic. And I need to soak in a Japanese hot tub!
Misty recently posted…Psycho Killer, Qu’est-ce Que C’est?
Natalie DeYoung
Cosmopolitan. Best. Hotel. Ever.
And yes, you do! I recommend it to everybody now. 🙂
Michelle Longo
I have not stopped wanting a Japanese soaking tub since I read this post, which was when you first posted it and not today. I needed to tell you that.
Michelle Longo recently posted…In The Zone.
Natalie DeYoung
We ALL need Japanese soaking tubs. They should be government subsidized.