Fantasies and Dreams do come true…Part 1

Ok, sorry guys… you know what they say,

“what happens in Vegas; stays in Vegas!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, now you knew SOMEONE was going to have to do that, didn’t you? Lol!

Nestled between the softly painted mountains of Red Rock Canyon and the Mojave Desert, lies Las Vegas, where our long-awaited fantasy is about to come true – literally in the Fantasy Tower of the Palms Casino and Resort! Chris G. was my faithful companion and guide in this adventure, so let our story begin…

There is a reason it is known as the city of lights! We arrived about 9:30p to a bustling airport and managed, somehow, to make it outside and to where we would pick up our Uber ride. We made it to the hotel, only to find out we had to walk clear to the other tower! Finally, our room at last! We were able to doze a bit on the plane, and we weren’t tired, so we decided to explore the Palms. Our room was in the Fantasy Tower – where all the festivities would take place on Friday night! But, we realized our elevator towers only went as far as the 34th floor?   Ok, must be another elevator somewhere? With a little snooping, we found the “hidden” elevator behind some walls and twists and turns! Jana Super Sleuth followed her nose and we went up to the 52 floor! Voila! There was the room and oh, what a view at night! It was gorgeous! There was no one around and the room was filled with several pool tables and a craps table in the middle. Hmmm….we were thinking, there’s no way they are going to get 16 tables in here unless they move something? Well, we were glad to see that they did – of course!

We came down and kept on walking….I knew there was supposed to be a McDonald’s in the casino. At one point, I said, “I swear I smell McDonald’s French fries!?” Sure enough, Chris says “uh, yeah, the guy ahead of you and to your left” – yep, my nose once again rang true, as McDonald’s was literally on my left!” Lol! We found out where the Pearl Theatre was and passed the box office. Saw their adorable faces plastered on many marquees, over the registration desk, above the slot machines, and even on a blackjack table! It was real – the fantasy was coming true, minute by minute – could Friday come any sooner? Well, found all the important spots… so we went back to our room to try and get some rest as the next day was our only free day.

 

Despite the best intentions of relaxing a bit and sleeping in, I had forgotten to turn off my alarm and off it went at 6:30am! So sorry gals!! (Sharon B. also shared the room with us for a few days) We ended up getting up by 7a and facing the new world below us, and outside. It was a beautiful day! So, after a nice breakfast at McDonald’s and a slight run-in with a door, we were off to Caesar’s Palace on the hotel shuttle. We had to take care of a little business after breakfast and when we were done there we saw Marie arrive and I ran to her to give her a big hug, and said, “Hi, mom!” While waiting for the shuttle we saw the MN 4 gals arrive and reunited with them for a few minutes!   We arrived Caesar’s and made our way to the strip. We decided to head to the Venetian. I had never been there and Chris had never been to Vegas. Like everything in Vegas, things are, unfortunately, much further than they appear! But we finally made it to the Venetian. It was quite beautiful inside and we saw the gondola ride. I did a little shopping and we took a break to have some gelato – we felt like we were in Italy! We were going to take the monorail back to the Bellagio, but by the time we got to the station, we realized we were pretty much there already! So, back to the strip we went, over the bridge and to the Bellagio. We had some very expensive drinks in one of the bars at the hotel. By then it was nearly 5p and we were exhausted. My phone said I had walked over 13000 steps!

 

Sharon went back to the room to rest and Chris and I checked out the buffet. Free wine with dinner! Yea!   We were there! Food was ok, but the desserts were fabulous! Went back to our rooms – it was like 8:30p. Ok, we were in a buzzing town, with hundreds of Ilvolovers around and we were in bed by 9:00pm?? Something is really wrong here. Ok, in our pj’s we went. Just lying in bed watching bad TV. Just after 11p or so, I was saved by a text from Donna. Come down and meet us for a drink! Yea – finally!! Crazy me, got up, got dressed, and flew down to the lobby! Met a few of the other gals, had a drink and some chit-chat. By 1am, it was back to the room – tomorrow was the big day. We heard the guys had been stuck in Denver on Wed, but made it to Mesa and were on their way to Vegas. We were hoping they were going to stay at the Palms, but did not know for sure…

Friday – it was finally here. The day some of us had been waiting for, for almost 2 years. The event of events, in the planning over for 2 years, thanks to Myron and Jeannette! And, sure enough, the guys and crew were in our hotel! Proof was given by Eleonora on Instagram that they had arrived in the wee hours of the morning and from her picture, looked like they were in the Fantasy Tower, as well – she had the same view we did, just a little higher!! Ok, a lot higher…

 

By the time we all got it together that morning, we were ready in time for lunch and met with Marie and a few others down in the 24/7 Café for lunch. After a brief visit with Marie back in her room, it was time to get ready. Check-in was supposed to start at 3p – 3:30p, with everyone ready by 4p, guys were supposed to be there between 4:30p – 5:30p. We got ready and were downstairs at promptly 3:15p. Although I was not lucky enough to have lunch with any of the guys or gamble with any of the mothers, I did seem to keep running into Gaetano! I ran past him briefly as I was going back to the elevator to my room. I looked up and thought, hey he looks familiar…? Uh, duh, that’s Papa Barone! I had really already passed him but turned around and said, “Ciao!” anyway and when he turned around I just waved! He just kind of looked at me and I think grinned a little, but it was hard to tell… After a bit of confusion, we were all finally in the “room” for the event. Our fantasy was coming true – in less than a few hours, our guys would be walking through those elevator doors! When I got to the room, the table right near the entryway was still vacant. I quickly grabbed it as I figured I’d have a prime shot of getting the guys as they walked in. Surprised no one else had grabbed it yet? I guess they thought the outside view from 52 floors up was better than the guys walking in? Not me. I claimed my seat and I wasn’t moving! I quickly saved a few seats for Marie and Kelly, Chris and Sharon. We were able to mingle a bit, and then we waited. And waited.   And waited! Myron kept us up to date with texts from the guys and where their progress was, they were running late, but they’d be there. I tried to keep a close eye on the elevators – security was running up and down. It was nearly 6p, where were they? Finally, Myron seemed to have disappeared around the back and suddenly there was a hush and then a roar! The guys were coming around the corner and I had the best seat! They stopped and stood for a few moments on the steps, looking fearfully at the crowd, but with big smiles on their faces. OMG! All these screaming women in one room! Frankly, I’m surprised they didn’t turn around and run the other way! Barbara came down next to follow the guys. Pictures were being snapped left and right, along with videos, smiles, and screams! Myron had to hush everyone down. The guys were to go to everyone’s table for a group picture. It was time for our table and the group photo. Everyone just rushed up there, the guys were standing still. By the time I got there, they were surrounded, so Mary and I went behind the guys. I was standing behind Ignazio’s shoulder! Poor Mary was right behind him. Ah, what to do? Oh yes, smell his cologne! So, that is what I did! I got close enough to him and took a big whiff! Yes, it was very nice! A quick click, and then it was over. It was a madhouse and before you knew it, the guys were making their way out again. I really don’t think it was even 30 minutes; it sure didn’t seem that long. The guys were gracious as always, putting up with all of us crazy women, and smiling as they left our presence. As they were leaving, I was able to snap a few pictures and I thought I had gotten Gianluca, but ended up with a blurry picture of Barbara, instead! But, as I turned around, Gianluca came up right behind me and gave me a little pat/back rub on my upper back as he was leaving. It was so sweet! I looked up and was just smiling into his grinning eyes…was a nice surprise! I guess that was way better than the picture? What do you think, Kelly?   Maybe it was because I was one of the few that were just sitting down?

 

Was a little anti-climactic after that, but at least we still had the concert and meet/greet to look forward to. We ate our dinner, went back to our room quickly, then down again. It was about 7p or so by then and the concert started at 8p. We got to the Pearl and kept walking – we then saw that the line snaked half way around the casino! Fortunately we saw Madeline, who was saving our spots and got in line. They hadn’t opened the doors yet, it was incredibly nutty! Finally, I think they opened the doors shortly after 7p and the line started to move. I saw mom heading toward me and I grabbed her in line! Good thing for long arms!! We got inside, got our VIP stuff and went to the souvenir area. They had a few things and they had the mugs. For some crazy reason, they would not sell us the mugs til after the show – they said we had to wait until after the show? Reason? They thought us crazy people would THROW them at the guys? Really?? Who would spend $25 on a mug to throw it on stage? Ok, fine, then! We made it to our seats. I was in the fourth row and seats were pretty tight! I was dead center though and it was awesome!

Part II to come…