Rain, Rain, Rain and Outlet shopping

Stratosphere on way to outlets
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This morning was a slow start after our big night out. We met up in my friend Paula’s suite before deciding to find a buffet for breakfast. Everyone else in the hotel has the same idea, and we were not going to wait 45mins for a seat. We went to a nearby a-la-carte cafe where we enjoyed eggs, ham, pancakes and hashbrown potatoes – just what our alcohol strained stomachs needed. We met up with the rest of the group that were enjoying breakfast at the nearby crepe cafe, and all headed out to board the Deuce Bus towards the Premium Brands Outlet shopping centre. This involved changing buses near the Stratosphere, where as we stepped off the bus, saw our transfer bus leaving the stop. We all stood in a chilling wind for 25mins waiting for the next bus that took us to the outlet centre.

Paris and the strip at night
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This place was an open-roofed shopping centre and by now it was raining. As we wandered around, we were accosted by venders selling their wares, and we were caught by one who tried his best to sell us lotions developed from minerals from the dead sea – but he was sadly disappointed. Joe was getting cold by now and found a very warm jacket at the Columbia store for a ridiculously low price, and I found some shoes and clothes. We then made the decision to buy a cheap carry-on suitcase to help lug our purchases around the world. By 6pm we had had enough of the rain and met up with one of the other group couples and caught the bus back to Paris. We were back in our room by 7pm and arranged for the other couple to come back to our suite at 8pm and we would head out for dinner. By 8.30pm and no sign of the others, we headed downstairs and try out the Paris Buffet. There were plenty of choices, but nothing spectacular. We got a call just before dessert to join some of the others next door at Planet Hollywood, which we headed for when we were done. As we approached the escalators to enter the group were coming out which was good timing. They were headed for hot dogs just down the strip and we tagged along. While they ordered their dinner at Pinky’s, Joe and I took a quick look at some shops next door. When we returned to Pinky’s we couldn’t find anyone, so decided to head back to Paris and call it a night.

...it's not supposed to rain in the desert