PBR, shopping and Jubilee

Sleeping in seems to be an impossibility in Las Vegas. Today was no exception as we were awakened by the hotel calling to remind us that there was breakfast in 1.5 hours and were we still coming? Now, this is Las Vegas so you know we were up too late. I think the hotel staff take serious pleasure in sweetly and politely finding ways to ensure that you are too tired to create trouble. However, breakfast was lovely. I got an update on the timeshare situation at the Wyndham Grand Desert and then was presented with tickets to Jubilee for the 10:30 show.

Since we were up already, it was off to the strip. Our hotel runs a shuttle to Harrahs. We hopped on and began to weave our way through the casinos and the hotels to get to Bally’s to pick up the actual tickets for the show. Then we found the Miracle Mile shops again. My friend did another round at Victoria Secret while I spied something that I had missed the day before. The Coffee Bean and Tea Company. Oh yes…I hadn’t seen one of  those since Hawaii. My heart had palpitations and the excitement grew. Casually, I suggested that I would go there while she shopped. Ha! She left and I literally scurried into the shop and gleefully joined the line. Faster faster faster…hopping and shuffling my tapping feet….ah yes, “please may I have a frozen ½ hazelnut, ½ mocha please with two of those freshly baked chocolate croissants?” There they are, carefully being placed in bags. I had to share after all. I heard the blender whir, crushing the ice. Oh yes, it is being poured into that large clear cup. (By now the cashier is enjoying my excitement too as I am nothing if not entertaining at such times.) Peeling the paper of the straw, I stuck it into the frozen froth and sipped. Eyes rolled back into my head and to describe my expression, my friend said “You look like the cat that swallowed the canary.” I don’t think that even comes close.

My palette was in heaven so my friend took the opportunity to slip into a make up shop called Sephora. After fifteen minutes of aimlessly wandering, my nude face caught the attention of a makeup artist who decided to do my eyes. I had no idea that I could look that spectacular with just eye makeup. Smokey eyes are pretty awesome, I have to say. Of course I bought the product, are you kidding me? It even came with instructions on how to do it myself. They know how to sell their product and it feels really nice on.

The next stop was the M&M shop to collect the requested items for my muppets and then it was onto the PBR marketplace. We met Voodoo and Bushwacker, and had a close up with a lovely Dalmatian and some Clydesdales that were magnificent. I was saddened to learn that there were no Chicken on a Chain shirts being sold, but he was retiring so I guess they decided to promote other bulls. Ah well…The other thing we learned was that the Mandalay Bay is enormous and that the tram service saves your feet. It was a treat, but we did take a cab back to the hotel.

Oh dear, we quickly got changed and tried to connect with our limousine driver. However, the safe ate the tickets for the PBR. By the time we found them, he had gone on to collect his next guests. Being me, we met up with another couple who offered us a ride and gratefully, we accepted. They run a lodge up in the northern states and we can only imagine how wonderful their place must be based on their hospitable nature.

The PBR…I can’t describe it. It was Saturday night at the Built Ford Tough series, Round 4. The seats were crowded and the air was electric. More buills were ridden and the Canadians did OK. Flint Rasmussen complained about his lack of air time while making the day of a lovely fan. The cowboys did their jobs and we waited. Chris Shivers, retiring world champion cowboy versus retiring Champion Bull Chicken on a Chain. Who do you cheer for? It was an historic moment, and the round went to Chicken on a Chain at 6.5 seconds. The crowd sighed and moved on. It was also the “man enough to wear pink” night and it was incredible to see all these tough athletes and fans decked out in pink to support breast cancer awareness.

After the event, my friend and I did what we do best. We walked to the hotel and caught the shuttle to Harrah’s and walked to Bally’s. We snagged some pizza and headed into the theatre, not really sure what to expect. The show was risqué but incredible with the music and old Vegas glamour. For the family minded, definitely see it but at the child friendly show. The sets were elaborate and incredibly well done. The singing rivaled some of my favorite musicals and the stories told were delightful. I wwas surprised to see so many people leave during the performance. I guess the ladies were not peep show enough for the gentleman. I just also believe that it is rude to get up and walk out of a performance. I just listened to the music which was wonderful. Anyway, it was now one in the morning so we walked back to the hotel and packed furiously and crashed….home today after rounds 5 and 6.

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