Las Vegas… Solo! On my way.
My alarm woke me up at 4am. I’m pretty good at getting up on travel days. I hopped up, showered, unplugged (and packed) all my chargeables, and was about to head out the door to do my usual subway to LIRR (Long Island Railroad) to AirTrain to JFK, when I thought “This is silly” and also “Don’t I have a $10 monthly credit on Lyft through my travel credit card?” I ordered a car. UPGRADE!
I’m in the habit of traveling on the cheap and I love a deal, but this early in the morning, when I can afford it… I didn’t hesitate.
Within 5 minutes of ordering a car, my driver pulled up to my building. I got in and realized I could have left later, had I made this decision the night before.
When I arrived at JFK, I realized I’d forgotten to put in my Known Traveler Number, so couldn’t go through TSA Precheck. (At least, not without talking to someone at American Airlines first. At least I arrived early!
At security, though, the rules were different from what I’ve become accustomed to. Maybe it was the big fancy machine they were using. Even in the normal line, we didn’t need to take off our shoes or remove any laptops or toiletries from our bags. And people were allowed to bring drinks through - they just needed to be separated out.
I got through with no issues.
Plenty of time to check out Gameway, the only “lounge” listed in my Priority Pass. It said it was open at 5am and it was near my gate. GREAT because I could use some water and maybe coffee. When I got there, though, it was closed up. I’m currently writing with a view of it, in case that changes before my flight, but I’m doubting it.
I’m heading to Las Vegas… Solo.
It wasn’t planned that way, but it also wasn’t planned…NOT that way.
An advertisement hit me at my most vulnerable. Hilton Grand Vacations. Three free nights “free” if I agree to go to a tour/sales pitch about vacation “ownership”. There were actually some taxes and fees involved. I’ll write about the whole experience separately.
Several of my friends had expressed interest in a girls trip to Las Vegas, so I signed up. But the dates I picked weren’t great for anyone. First I was going to to with my high school friends, then my graduate school friend, then my boyfriend… But the weekend after Labor Day isn’t ideal for people who have kids. Or work.
I work. And, as it turns out, it’s not the most convenient weekend for me to go away either. So I’ll be working from Las Vegas. But I’ll also find some time to play. What does one do alone in Las Vegas? I’ll at least be able to tell you what I do there. When I find out!
