The Spiritual side of a Southwest Airlines Vegas Vacation

by eResumes4Vips
(Texas, USA)

Andre V. Milteer, M.A.

My first trip to Las Vegas (June 2010) was one of the most spiritual experiences of my entire life. You heard right...Las Vegas, NV, USA. Spiritual, Truly Spiritual!

Of course, I don't mean in the traditional "church-sense." Yet spiritual none the less. Vegas touched and uplifted my spirit. Left me feeling alive and refreshed.

First, my flight with Southwest Airlines (Austin to Vegas). I arrived late and missed my flight. The Southwest people worked with me to connect via a later flight. Although I lost a few hours, My Wife and I touched down late afternoon at Vegas International.

The blue skies as well as the picturesque scenery over the Nevada desert plains and mountains, seen above from 36,000 feet, certainly lifted my spirits to an unimaginable height.

The afternoon Vegas Heat, encountered upon our arrival @LAS, fired up my spirits in a hurry--by way of a 105-F degree outside temperature. My spirits were met with gracious hospitality and a bottle of cold water from a Vegas shuttle-limo-driver-operator. I believe the limo took the long way to our hotel; yet the city sights were amazing.

Each hotel had its own signature. The MGM Grand displayed the infamous MGM Lion--The Venetian with its canals and gondolas. The Treasure Island, the Trump, The Luxor...well, you get the idea. Then, we saw our hotel. The newly built (February 2010), Aria Hotel and Casino. Spectacular and Fabulous!

Our room on the 38th floor presented a Kodak view of the downtown city strip. Planet Hollywood in the foreground---Palms Casino in the background. It just doesn't get any better than this.

The hotel casino was abuzz with players. Drinks or Spirits were complimentary. Every imaginable dining or eatery combination known was available within close proximity. World famous chef-signatured restaurants...Wolfgang Puck, Jean Philippe, Emeril, et als. World Class!

If that weren't enough to ignite and energize our spirit, the nightlife with its brilliant neon signature marquis and lighting. I later learned that it was the Hoover Dam's hydropower as well as Bugsy Siegel and Frank Sinatra (Sr) that raised Vegas to prominence.

Those bright lights were something else. Vegas has shopping like no other city. While it may be too hot for some, great shops could be found both outdoors as well as indoors.

One place of interest was the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. A Virtual Mile of shops, eateries, and novelties. About halfway through, my eyes glanced up to see the night sky. Yet it was illuminated to appear as daytime. What gives?

Upon returning the next day, the sky appeared dark as in the night. It's all part of the magic and spirituality of the Miracle Mile shopping experience.

Oh well, time to head back home. Again, Southwest Air zipped us back to Texas within 2 ½ hours. My Wife asked, when can we go back? Not soon enough, I replied.