Tag: Las Vegas

Spa Day, etc.

We checked into the amazing Spa at JW Marriott in North Las Vegas this morning. Very attentive and nice people took care of us. Nicki headed off to her “Sampler” massage – a variety of treatments and aromatherapy that left her feeling good. In the meantime I headed to the outdoor hydrotherapy pools and jacuzzi. There were multiple stations in the pool with various levels of jetted, roiling water. One was strong like a firehose, nearly pulling my swimsuit off! While they may be optional, I opt to keep mine on! Others focused on different areas – legs, back, or shoulders– and one was pouring overhead with great force. Made my scalp all tingly! It was all so good.

There was a float pool as well as a hot-cold jacuzzi- get in the hot one then move to the cold one, and back again. There was a sauna and a steam room. That was great for relaxation. And there was a waterfall shower that was AMAZING. It poured down with such force I think it may have released the boulders in my shoulders!

It was then time for my treatment – a holistic massage. I was covered in eucalyptus and spearmint oils then scrubbed with salt. It felt and smelled so good! Then I was sent to the shower and returned for an all over rub down with lavender and Epsom salts in little bags. Then a deep massage into my gnarly muscles. Oh my goodness it was so good! 80 blissful minutes of health and healing!

In the meantime Nicki was steaming and using the jacuzzi and we met up for a round in hydrotherapy again. And more steam room. And citrus water and tea, oranges and lots of water. We decided to spend the day there so we ordered lunch from the hotel and they brought us soup, salad and sandwiches to the spa. We laid outside in the cool but sunny deck and fell asleep, got a little sunburned even! The palm trees and ponderosa pines made a beautiful backdrop.

We showered and used blow dryers and all kinds of lotions and shampoos and even mouthwash. They thought of everything and we enjoyed several hours of relaxation, rest, and renewal.

We left and went out for coffee in a mall in Summerlin. We shopped and walked around Living Spaces where Nicki works. So much to see there!

We came back to the apartment to rest up before dinner. I got a call from Whatcom Art Market that two of my creations sold! That was exciting!

We decided to Uber to the strip for dinner. Such a nice guy drove us. We got out at the Venetian walked into Palazzo. We had one of the best dinners ever at The Lux Cafe. Beef Wellington melts in your mouth! And our waiter was a Brazilian man, so that made Nicki happy! He was a good waiter too! Definitely going to eat there again!

We wandered through the shops and found a stunning Art Gallery at the Venetian Hotel. Some of the most truly beautiful photography in the world. Wis I could post it here but no cameras allowed. Here are a few of mine, though! .

Going to bed with a full tummy, happy spirits and rejuvenated bodies! We are so blessed. Thank you Lord.

©Belindabotzong2019

Ordinary Lives

Girls weekend in Vegas. You hear that phrase tossed around a lot! Well you must know that’s not something I’d normally be involved in. But now that my newlywed daughter is living there, we are having our own style of girls weekend and it’s interesting to see this part of the world outside “The Strip”. Ordinary circumstances and lives beyond the neon, glitz, and excess.

  • We came down two months ago to celebrate my husband’s 60th birthday and to do Christmas gifts with daughter and hubby. We stayed at an ordinary hotel in the north side but went to a show at the Wynn followed by an extravagant buffet dinner late in the evening. Nearly closing time. We ate and selected desserts from a vast array of the most exquisite goodies! We had a table looking right in to dessert central. Cakes and bars and candies were being sliced, frosted, and arranged right up til 9pm… Then closing time came. Gears switched rapidly. 50 gallon garbage cans were wheeled in and tray after tray of freshly made cookies, candies, cakes and pies were dumped! We were horrified and discussed quite fervently what a waste! And we imagined it was playing out all over town. Like blasphemous heathens they nonchalantly poured chocolates, sprinkles, and fondant covered everything.

Today I flew in after noon and had to wait a couple of hours at the airport for my sweet girl to get off work. So I made the best of it. I ate lunch. It wasn’t good. I wandered through the entire terminal observing people and looking at the historical artifacts that normally I would rush by. The history of aviation is very interesting and McCarran airport has lots of memorabilia. I sat and charged my phone. Walked around. Scrolled through Facebook. Texted. Checked emails. Recharged. Used the bathroom. There was a voice in the bathroom over and over saying “You have a good day!” When I went to wash my hands there was a custodian – a cute little black lady, cheerfully wiping down sinks and she says “You have a good day!” I tell her she sure is sweet and cheerful. She says, “if you got it you spread it”. I thanked her for cleaning the bathroom and she was pleased.

Promptly at 3pm there was a brigade of custodial workers doing a Changing of the Guard routine. Those getting off shift were tired but cheerful and chatting. The crew coming on were energized and ready to go. Those getting off chatted and sat down and talked about their lives or work – right in the empty gate area where I was trying to charge the phone. Friendly banter. Teasing. Laughter. Camaraderie at its finest.

I went to the curb at 3:30 and awaited my chariot and princess. She arrived and we went to her apartment and rested with a BBC nature show.

After dinner at a Thai place, where we drank from a coconut!–

we shopped at a couple stores off the strip and ended up at Target. When we went to check out a little grandma about 4’11” was behind us in line. She was over 80 and I asked if I could help load her groceries into the conveyor belt and she thanked me. Two frozen pizzas. Two boxes borax. Some fresh fruit and canned goods. She said thank you again and “I didn’t want to stop after work but better today than tomorrow.” WORK? I asked incredulously. Where do you work? She named a famous casino! I asked what she did. Clearly this lady was way too old to labor. “I deal 21”. Blackjack!! This tiny little grandma deals cards at a casino! I’m trying not to be shocked. I say “That must be interesting” and she agrees.

So today I observed the ordinary lives of people whose life work is about travel and entertainment. People living on a shoestring who see all the waste, excess, and I’m sure behaviors of every kind. And here I am with my girl who’s motto is “Never have an ordinary day” (Keebler elf quote)! So tomorrow the spa…

©Belindabotzong2019