EVES GOING PLACES: LOVING OURSELVES IN SIN CITY

(Raili Roy and Malini Banerjee have fun at Las Vegas)

When life gives lemon, escape to Vegas with girlfriends. 

Fashion, self-indulgence, music, gambling, exotic shows and no routine whatsoever. Party until 4am, have sweet indulgences at around 4.30am, a quick snooze and the cycle starts again. Park away reality for a few days because somehow reality is very loyal about not changing too quickly. 

On one of the worst snow days in winter, three friends impulsively decided enough is enough, they needed a break. A break from routine. A break from family. A break from work. A break from snow, frigid temperatures. A break from responsibilities. A break from the life as they know it.
Life in the US for a working woman means commitments outside as well as household chores. Add to that motherhood, constant balancing of schedules, activities, homework and playdates. 

After a full day of work and a 5hr flight we arrived in Las Vegas, checked into the beautiful Venetian Resort and headed for the bar to train ourselves for the upcoming no-routine days.

And what a better way to start off at Las Vegas than a much needed spa treatment. One hour body massage followed by facial and relaxing in a hot tub. Heaven at our feet. Followed by a wonderful three course lunch, adding more pleasure to the pampering routine for sure. We were treated like celebrities that we are and enjoyed every moment of it.

That evening we had an experience of a lifetime: watching the famous Australian show in Vegas “Thunder From Down Under.” It was like a dozen Brad Pitts doing their best to entertain us. There is a 40% chance that they might kiss you (for Raili it was 3 times by 2 different Brad Pitts), but alas! Sadly always on the cheek. But you definitely get a chance to sit on their laps while they act as if ‘they’ were waiting all their lives for this moment.

With this much hyped show a terrible success, the suitcase full of clothes that came from New Jersey with us seemed absolutely inappropriate. They go with our NJ personalities, not Vegas. So we went on a shopping spree and landed at Forever 21.  As soon as we saw that the Forever21 store had a live DJ playing fabulous music, we knew who to ask for a night club recommendation. The DJ did not disappoint us as we joined a crowd of more than a thousand people at the most happening night club of Vegas, “Hakkasan” at MGM grand.

Did we mention that we had a fabulous dinner at their restaurant after which we were escorted by an impeccably dressed, well mannered man to the club bypassing the long line? The music and the energy was nothing we have ever experienced in our life as ‘Hardwell’ played live on stage. We were wooed by men from all races and background and of all ages from 21 to 30. 

And as the saying goes the rest of what happened there has to ‘stay in Vegas.’ Let’s just say, we returned to our hotel at 4 am tired but with a mischievous grin. However, we realized that the best part of this nightlife experience was the sense of safety and security we felt in a packed room full of revelers primarily comprised of men.  
In a constant effort to find someone to take a picture of the 3 of us together, we met the sweetest group of girls from South Sudan now studying in Nebraska and forged an instant connection. As they say trips like this are also about making new friends and we did make some.

We have been to various kinds of buffets in different parts of the world including the famous ‘Bacchanal’ buffet at Caesar’s Palace. The best one was definitely the ‘weekend brunch’ at Wynn. It served great food with a fabulous decor to match. After brunch one of us lost her first ever $20 while another one recovered $17 at the Venetian Casino. That evening we experienced another spectacular show, Jubilee performed by the world famous Vegas Showgirls. A stage full of over 50 performers performing with grace, perfection and precision. Jubilee is an adult topless show where the last thing that stays in your mind as you are leaving the auditorium is the ‘topless’ aspect of it. 

The grand finale of this trip was a dinner at a Japanese restaurant called ‘Yellowtail,’  by chef Akira Back at the grand Bellagio resort. We knew nothing about this chef until we had this culinary experience and literally ran back to the hotel to google him. In the backdrop of the beautiful symphony of the Bellagio fountains, Back’s cuisine took us on a roller- coaster ride of sensory experience leading to a perfect crescendo.

When you have just turned 40, you realize that life is all about responsibilities and dealing with losses of loved ones. You are at a crossroad, with an astute mind in a little older body. A mind which is way more prudent when it comes to understanding what matters. This trip made us realize that a little bit of self indulgence, appreciating ourselves, trust, friendships and letting go, should be included in our lists of priorities to make our lives truly fabulous.

Did we mention that we are dying to get back to our babies???