I’ve always been a very social person, everybody who knows me knows that. I enjoy having at least a little company even if I’m just making a trip to the shop down the road. I’m obviously perfectly capable of doing things alone, being a fully functional adult, but I just like being with people. With that in mind, it’s probably no surprise that the idea of travelling alone never really appealed to me, but a few years ago, the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone presented itself and I very nearly didn’t take it up, but looking back, I’m so glad I did!
It was 2016 and for years, I’d wanted to go to a Star Trek convention in America. In fact THE Star Trek convention of the year in Las Vegas. Of course, there are Star Trek conventions all over the US, and indeed the world, throughout the year but the Las Vegas one is the big one. Of course, being a showgirl and loving anything glitzy and glamorous, Vegas had always been a dream destination but I’d never had the opportunity to go. Between never being able to afford it and never finding the right opportunity, it had just never come up.
In fact, there has long been a connection between my favourite Sci-Fi fandom and Las Vegas, with the indoor theme-park Star Trek: The Experience occupying part of the Las Vegas Hilton for just over a decade from January 1998 to September 2008. My best friend visited not long before it closed and I was so jealous. I’d always wanted to see it and, though there was a hope it would reopen in either its original location or elsewhere, (the Neonopolis Mall was speculated about for a while), it’s never come to fruition. I can live with it. There’s little other choice, aside from finding a time machine.
The Experience may be gone, but Vegas still holds a huge attraction to me even if you take Star Trek out of the equation. Leaving it in the equation, the annual Star Trek Las Vegas convention, or STLV, used to be held in The Experience, which I can only imagine must have been absolutely mind blowing, with faithful reproductions of some of the show’s surroundings to party in, but all I’ve got to go on are pictures I’ve seen.
So, for those who are familiar with Star Trek, 2016 was the big fiftieth anniversary and suddenly, I had a much better paying job, so thought “Right, this is it, I’m doing this!” The half-century anniversary is clearly going to be a once in a lifetime trip that I can’t miss, so I have to go! So I started pricing it up, knowing it wasn’t going to be cheap, but somehow I could make it work. So, I wondered who would come with me, knowing a few other Trekkies it would be bound to appeal to. I’d been able to afford it through a chunk of commission I’d recently received, but then I realised that if it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be going. I became a little disheartened when I realised that no-one could come with me and for a while, it seemed like this dream trip was just not going to happen.It had never once occurred to me that I didn’t actually need someone to go with. That was a realisation that took a good few days to come too.
As I said, I always like to have someone accompanying me to share experiences with or for moral support and, as I’ve always been a very nervous flyer, it seemed obvious that I wouldn’t be able to do that part alone. In fact, I couldn’t remember ever being on a plane alone, let alone for the longest flight of my life! So, I spent some time coming to terms with the idea of not going, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Eventually, I decided that I simply couldn’t miss this trip, even if I had to go alone, but what I didn’t know was that I wouldn’t be alone for very long at all!
Around February of 2016, I finally made the booking and had it paid off in full by May ready to travel the final week of July. I spent all that time worrying if I’d be able top do such a long flight alone and, as a smoker, would I be able to handle not having a cigarette for so long? Ridiculous, I know, but it’s the kind of daft thing you think about. Almost as if part of you is trying to talk yourself out of it. The
idea of going alone was exciting and terrifying at the same time and I spent the time before the trip alternating between nervous and ecstatic. Then the week came. Time to pack. I Knew Vegas was warm, being in Nevada, but I suddenly realised I didn’t really own much in the way of warm weather holiday wear, so I had to go and find some. Packing done, replica home-made Starfleet uniform included, I was ready. I downloaded a few books and videos onto my iPad for the trip, did my usual thing of taking two copies of the travel documents, one in the hand luggage, one in the suitcase, three if you count the digital copies on my phone and iPad. I was all set. The day had arrived.
Living on a small island, I had to fly to Gatwick first and stay over, so stayed in a fabulous hotel inside the airport itself. Halfway between a pod hotel and a regular room, it was compact, minimal but stylishly decorated, had a view of the planes airside out of the window and what I still believe to be the best shower I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending a whole hour in, just relishing the experience. There was no one waiting for me, no time limit, no commitments that night and it was the first time I’d realised this. There was absolutely no reason I couldn’t really luxuriate in this magnificent shower. For the first time, my time was mine alone. And it felt good.
Then, the next morning, came the part I’d been afraid of. The big flight. Alone. The funny thing is though, when the morning arrived, I was just too busy getting on with getting up, getting ready and being excited about my dream trip and what a great adventure it was that I didn’t really have time to be afraid. Here’s a strange paradox about me: I hate flying, but I love airports. I’m weird like that. I love the hustle and bustle and the excitement, the people watching, the shopping, everything! Yes, I know it’s strange, but please don’t tell me you thought I was normal for a second.
So, the flight came, I settled in, I had a great seat which was on the aisle with no one next to me so I could spread out – It’s the only time that’s ever happened, but I made the most of it. It was totally spoiling me, because on the return flight, I got sat next to a talker. Fortunately, I’m pretty sure I’m bordering on narcoleptic, as if you put me somewhere even slightly comfy for more than five minutes, I’m asleep.
So, as predicted, I did actually get plenty of sleep on the flight. An hour here, an hour there. Obviously, it kept sort of hitting me that I was finally doing my dream trip and I’d quietly start grinning to myself like a broken idiot, but the flight seemed to go really quickly. I wasn’t actually even that desperate for a cigarette and I’ve noticed since that it’s not til we land that the craving really kicks in and you just can’t wait to get through immigration, baggage collection and out through the doors to hitch up. The queue at immigration was long, but even that wasn’t dreadful as I just spent the time looking at all the art around the room and just being happy to be there.
After baggage collection, the moment had finally arrived. Beaming to myself, I stepped outside and was immediately hit by the intense heat of the Nevada air as I stepped out of the air conditioned cool of the building. You’ll quickly notice that every building in Vegas is lovely and cool inside thanks to the air conditioning. But now was time for the first order of business. Cigarette. Immediately. As I stood there alone, I didn’t even feel the least bit lonely. I’d done it. I’d conquered the part of the trip I was most scared of. I’d taken the longest flight of my life, on my own, and didn’t feel alone or isolated when I got there. I felt great. Not just that I’d made the trip myself and wasn’t scared, but that I felt free and at ease and relaxed in a way that I’d never felt before. And yes, very satisfied with myself. I just stood smiling to myself, staring out ahead and taking in everything I could see from that angle. I was pleased with myself, but knew that although I had made a huge personal step in getting here already, the huge adventure I was on was only just beginning…
Stay Safe, Stay Sane, Stay Vidalicious x
