Sunday, March 18, 2007

Day 74: Last Day in Vegas....and "Mama Mia"

The last day in Las Vegas……we are leaving in the morning (Sunday). Today, I was up a bit earlier…….as I needed to get to the Strip and be at the Mandalay Bay Hotel so that I could get in line to get our two seats for “Mama Mia”. We had paid for the vouchers at half price yesterday but the seats were not assigned with any specificity…..so to get the best that were available I wanted to be there when the box office opened….at 9AM.

And….I was. In fact I arrived there at 8:30.….found a Starbucks…and get my usual cappuccino accompanied by a chocolate twist pastry. I was first in line when they opened and I got the “best seats available”……..went to the parking garage and was back at TheHowserHouse by 9:30am. WOW……was the Casino ever hopping this early!!! AND…..the betting room with all of the huge TV’s for the March Madness betting was full of hundreds of people watching the early games and placing their bets. And when we returned to the hotel this afternoon it was even busier…..if that is possible!

We went to the pool for a couple of hours this morning…..and enjoyed sitting at the pool during the morning hours. The air was warm….but the sun was hot, so we stayed out of the sun when possible.

We left for the Strip about 1:45pm……..as we wanted to eat prior to the seating for the musical in the theater which was to begin at 5:30pm. The show opened at 6pm….as they had another show at 10pm. Arriving at the Mandalay Bay……we walked around trying to decide where to have an early supper…….and the entire hotel/casino/shops/hallways were absolutely PACKED!!!! WOW……..the World Light Featherweight Boxing Match was being held right in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center……between to Mexico City guys…..and Espanol was the language of the day in the hotel!!!! It was really exciting as the camera crews, etc., etc were wandering everywhere interviewing those standing in the halls waiting to enter the convention center.

We finally decided on a little café called “Red, White, and Blue”……and it was a big mistake!!!! We just didn’t check the menu close enough…..and so we wound up with a cheeseburger/fries/drink…….for a total of $38.50!!!!!!!!!!!! The most expensive damn hamburgers we’ve ever had…….and they were not good to make the meal even worse…..just an average burger……UGH!!!!!! WARNING: I would hesitate very strongly before eating there……..any of you!

We wandered around the casino after the very un-delightful meal…….lost a few bucks in the machines….and then we were seated in the theater for “Mama Mia”. The show: first of all, the music accompaniment was WAY TOOOO LOUD!!!!! It became very, very, difficult to be able to hear/understand the vocalists…..solos or choral numbers. The acting was…..well, just not up to the standards that I expect for a show that charges mezzanine seating of $86.00 a seat. I know that the last show I saw was in NYC on Broadway…..but, this…to me…was a disappointment. The story line is weak….and therefore does not lead to any tension that needs to be resolved during the show itself. The soloists, when they were able to be heard, were just……OK. Hmmmmm…..am I being too critical….too negative????? No….I think not…….just giving my honest musical trained opinion. Would I see it again????? Well, not unless it was in NYC, or a tour group that originates in NYC……….

Back at TheHowserHouse following the show…..I did a few things that I could do to get things ready for our departure tomorrow. The rest will have to wait until morning…….

Las Vegas thoughts: Each day I found myself enjoying it more and more, but there really isn’t much to do after you have toured the fabulous hotels/casinos besides eating and gambling. The eating very quickly can become really expensive…….if you are to eat at some of the newer fusion cuisine restaurants which are the ones to really experience. We had thought about eating at one in the Mandalay Bay, BUT……the “fixed price” menu which has only ONE price was $123.00 per person, sooooooooo we didn’t eat there. What has happened to the days when it was soooooooo cheap to eat in LV???? Those days certainly have disappeared………..

Hmmmmm, as I reread this, it appears I have been rather negative……..not my usual way of Life, is it??? But, you know……..even with a few things that could have been better today………it doesn’t really matter because….

LIFE IS GREAT……and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!

No comments: