Traveling with Aging Family Members
The two exemplifies the adage, "opposites attract". My mother is the hyper Road Runner who is constantly on the move, while my dad is the sloth in the movie Zootopia. At home they have a schedule and seem to be the true New Yorkers who are always on the go. But when my parents and I took a couple of days vacation to Las Vegas for my cousin's birthday, the on the go parents have well... fallen off kilter. Being the good daughter and the one who pushed for this trip, I was their travel companion and this blog comprises the lessons learned of traveling with two aging parents.
Home is Where the Heart Is
We were offered to stay at my cousin's home outside of the main strip. My other cousin suggested, for convenience, to book into a hotel room. The homely abode and the cost effective option was preferred over a glamorous hotel room and bonding with other family members took more priority than sight-seeing. Yet from the house, the view of Red Rock Canyon is a sight to see especially when the sun strikes the mountains, showing a red orange luster. The mountains have hiking trails and scenic views.
Upon arrival, I quickly learned to be content at doing nothing at home but watch an automated floor sweeper clean the floor and take naps (maybe that is a good thing since I've worked too hard during the week).
Strategic Management is the Key
I became the planner and the logistics person (I thought I was on vacation too - wrong thinking). Being strategic on the trip is important so less stress and hassle on me. We stayed on a location that is a 30-minute drive outside of the main strip of Las Vegas - where public transport is rare and walking is not an option. Strategy on transport: Uber, but be ready to slap $$$ for a one-way trip. I think 90% of my trip budget went to Uber :(
When I managed to get them out of the house for a little sight-seeing, free exhibits and entertainment seemed to be their liking. I did a little research, picked spots so we can walk through 2-3 hotels north or 2-3 hotels going south. We decided to go north and had a flexible itinerary of starting in the Bellagio and walking a couple of miles north towards the Venetian for a gondola ride. Our first stop was The Dancing Fountains by the Bellagio Hotel. Italian opera music played while water fountains spray into the air in a syncronous way. It was ok to see during the day, but best to see at night. The best spot to watch the show is by the garden patio of the taxi/uber drop off of the Bellagio hotel. The spot also has a lovely view of the Paris Hotel across the street.
As soon as we got off the uber, my dad had his "mis-step" again and the plight of painful or immensely slow walking began. We went to the Conservatory Garden display inside the Belagio Hotel, where you step into a fairyland showcasing flowers.
Since no one wanted to do anything, we made our journey through the hotel (felt like dragging) into the front area of the next hotel - Cesar's. I came across stairs. Nooo! I found escalators to which I calculated & planned a way to reach street level and avoid stair climbing for my dad. There were bridges that gave a nice street view of the Strip.
Once at street level and brief moments of frustration, I suddenly realized that we will never reach our destination unless my companions are carried in some motorized contraption where they exert zero effort. For my sanity's sake, I just had to accept my disappointments and let go of one's frustrations.
Dinner is the next best thing. Yelp became my friend for food choices since they have become picky with their cuisine. Yong Kang Street Noodle and Dumpling Restaurant was located inside the Paris Hotel. A few dishes here and there for 4 adults, and paid tourist prices, but people were satisfied. The Paris Hotel had a few shops and a cafe that mimic the streets of Europe. It was a short walk; they had ice cream; everyone was a happy camper and I had my moment of rest from thinking.
Thoughts flooded my mind, couple with tiredness, as we Ubered our way to my cousin's house that night; to the airport when we returned; and to our own home from JFK. "If I want an exploratory vacation, NEVER take my parents... I need to continue setting ourselves up for retirement...can I care for them when they are much older? … what happens to the life I dreamed if this is my life?" The questions continue with answers to be determined in time.
Home is Where the Heart Is
We were offered to stay at my cousin's home outside of the main strip. My other cousin suggested, for convenience, to book into a hotel room. The homely abode and the cost effective option was preferred over a glamorous hotel room and bonding with other family members took more priority than sight-seeing. Yet from the house, the view of Red Rock Canyon is a sight to see especially when the sun strikes the mountains, showing a red orange luster. The mountains have hiking trails and scenic views.
Upon arrival, I quickly learned to be content at doing nothing at home but watch an automated floor sweeper clean the floor and take naps (maybe that is a good thing since I've worked too hard during the week).
I became the planner and the logistics person (I thought I was on vacation too - wrong thinking). Being strategic on the trip is important so less stress and hassle on me. We stayed on a location that is a 30-minute drive outside of the main strip of Las Vegas - where public transport is rare and walking is not an option. Strategy on transport: Uber, but be ready to slap $$$ for a one-way trip. I think 90% of my trip budget went to Uber :(
When I managed to get them out of the house for a little sight-seeing, free exhibits and entertainment seemed to be their liking. I did a little research, picked spots so we can walk through 2-3 hotels north or 2-3 hotels going south. We decided to go north and had a flexible itinerary of starting in the Bellagio and walking a couple of miles north towards the Venetian for a gondola ride. Our first stop was The Dancing Fountains by the Bellagio Hotel. Italian opera music played while water fountains spray into the air in a syncronous way. It was ok to see during the day, but best to see at night. The best spot to watch the show is by the garden patio of the taxi/uber drop off of the Bellagio hotel. The spot also has a lovely view of the Paris Hotel across the street.
As soon as we got off the uber, my dad had his "mis-step" again and the plight of painful or immensely slow walking began. We went to the Conservatory Garden display inside the Belagio Hotel, where you step into a fairyland showcasing flowers.
Since no one wanted to do anything, we made our journey through the hotel (felt like dragging) into the front area of the next hotel - Cesar's. I came across stairs. Nooo! I found escalators to which I calculated & planned a way to reach street level and avoid stair climbing for my dad. There were bridges that gave a nice street view of the Strip.
Once at street level and brief moments of frustration, I suddenly realized that we will never reach our destination unless my companions are carried in some motorized contraption where they exert zero effort. For my sanity's sake, I just had to accept my disappointments and let go of one's frustrations.
Dinner is the next best thing. Yelp became my friend for food choices since they have become picky with their cuisine. Yong Kang Street Noodle and Dumpling Restaurant was located inside the Paris Hotel. A few dishes here and there for 4 adults, and paid tourist prices, but people were satisfied. The Paris Hotel had a few shops and a cafe that mimic the streets of Europe. It was a short walk; they had ice cream; everyone was a happy camper and I had my moment of rest from thinking.
Thoughts flooded my mind, couple with tiredness, as we Ubered our way to my cousin's house that night; to the airport when we returned; and to our own home from JFK. "If I want an exploratory vacation, NEVER take my parents... I need to continue setting ourselves up for retirement...can I care for them when they are much older? … what happens to the life I dreamed if this is my life?" The questions continue with answers to be determined in time.
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