2 days as Sophia in Vegas

[Sophia Frances]

I took this as a "once in a lifetime" experience. I would be in Vegas for 2 days by myself. No wife, no kids, no bachelor party. Just me. My plane lands, I check into the hotel and I just go shopping. I have never shopped for female clothes before and it scared the crap out of me, but I just did it. I walked into Walmart first and it was scary. I meandered around for about a half hour and then just jumped in. I stated flipping through dresses and found a couple I really liked. I went to the dressing room and showed the clerk what I was trying on and there was o reaction from her at all. I tried them on, liked 2 out of 3, and opened the door. The girl asked me if everything fit! I said 2 did. I know it's silly, but it was the first time I confirmed to anyone out loud that wasn't in this world that I cross dress. It was incredibly liberating and to be honest...it freed me a little. I checked out some handbags and wallets stress free, grabbed a lovely shall as it would a bit chilly and bought everything. I went next door to Payless shoes and went right to the women's section. The clerk was in that aisle and asked if I needed help. It just came out of my out "I'll be dressing in drag tonight and I need some shoes" as if I had said it a million times. You know what happened? The world didn't end, my life didn't flash before me, she just asked what size I was and everything was normal. It was so cool. I tried on a couple of pairs of shoes, bought 2 and left.
From there I went to Just You and met Amy. She was amazing. Not only did she do an amazing transformation, but she was also a great therapist. Explaining feelings, emotions and making me feel pretty as well as normal.
From there, myself and 2 others from Amy's went to eat. This would be my first experience out. We went to a restaurant in the Tuscany Casino and ordered. Whether or not I "passed" or it was the waiter being polite, but it was really something being referred to as "Miss". Dinner was really a non event. Nothing crazy, out of the ordinary and honestly...5 minutes into t I forgot I was even dressed. Every now and again I would brush the hair out of my face, catch a glimpse of my cleavage, or shoes, and I wold freak out internally...but externally all was normal. From dinner we went to something called the royal sovereignty of the desert empire. It was some sort of Drag event for charity where Drag Queens and other lip sync and raffle of gifts and such. It was fun. Frm there we started Bar hopping: first we went to a place called Drink and Drag. It was wild. It was a place staffed by drag queens that is a bowling alley/bar/night club/restaurant in downtown Vegas. It was filled with gays, bachelor parties, straight tourists and other drag queens. It was so cool. Again, this was normal. What we did next was so scary and yet ecellerating: we walked down the strip. This wasn't a "drag friendly" excursion, this was out, in public, walking as a woman. Liberating is the only word I could use to describe it. For an hour I walked as a woman and only once did I hear a chuckle. It wasn't earth shattering. One of the girls just turned and smiled at the chucklers and they smiled right back. From there we wen to a bar called Flex, and by then I was exhausted. A night a eating, drinking, dancing, bowling, and walking in public was enough. I had a rental car and the only thing I wasn't ready for was to walk back into my hotel as Sophia. I found a quiet, dark spot and parked. Changed quickly. Wiped my face off with wet wipes, put on a hat and felt ok to go back.
Night 2 was much of the same. This time Amy's associate Brenda did my transformation and she was just as good if not better. Brenda has been with Amy for a little while and said she was still learning, but she was great. I really thought I looked better on night 2. Drink and Drag was having a party so we went there and stayed for a while. The dance floor there was fun and so was dancing with real women as a woman. Being a straight guy, I don't change my sexual preference when I dress...I'm hoping others feel the same. Drink and Drag was as a much a tourist attraction as it was a drag bar and having "straight" people around me who were accepting was comforting. I hope that doesn't offend. It is just that Flex was exclusively a Gay bar and I had never really been to one, nor was necessarily prepared to see men dancing in there underwear. Not that I am being judgmental, I'm not. It's just I was nervous enough being Sophia and staying as close to my normal environment felt comforting while I was Sophia. We walked the strip again and this time I didn't walk...I strutted. I was much more confident on night 2 and I really enjoyed it so much more. Our last stop was a gay bar called Charlies. Again, it was packed with Gay men, but less...and I don't know how to say it other than less scary and aggressive than Flex. Lots of dancing and fun. The night ended witha great compliment...or at least I took it as one...when some guy came up to me and said "excuse me beautiful, do you know the time". I gave him the time and that was that. Again, found that dark spot, put Sophia away and flew home.
I don't know if I will ever have an opportunity like this again, but knowing I might not....I did things I normally wouldn't and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Takeaways:
Vegas is incredibly TG friendly
Being outed by strangers wasn't the end of the world
Amy was great, and Brenda was too.
Drink and Drag was my favorite spot- the staff in Drag were so friendly, talkative, and inviting.

[LadyPilot]

You go girl! I love the post and thanks for sharing.

[AllieSF]

Congratulations. You didn't just take a first step, you more than jumped directly into the middle of the almost real world. It really is hard to call Vegas real with all the lights, casinos and night life there. I hope you find to do this again, maybe closer to your home with some local girls. It is so much fun having a local friend or two when going out. After a while it almost becomes a non-event. Thanks for sharing.

[Sophia Frances]

"Almost real" is a good way to put it. I felt very comfortable once my initial anxiety passed. the only time I felt "weird" was when I walked past a family with children. I don't know why...maybe it was the parent in me and I really can't explain it any better than that...but when I passed a child I felt "bad" if that makes any sense. That was it though. Everything else was spectacular.

[MsRenee]

Next time tou come to Vegas give me a headsup girl. Those places are very nice spots aint they. Thats what makes Vegas so nce is ppl here are not going to say anyhing. Its so easy to go out here I actually have more fun in the daytime then the night. Amys a awesome girls, she did my eyes the first time I ventured out cause I wasnt so good with false lashes and that was almost 8 yrs ago. Always run into here at times when shes out on the town with the girls..Glad you enjoyed yourself hun.
Renee

[AllieSF]

Sophia, I can understand that feeling, though I look at it differently. It may be a surprise, not so much a shock, for a young child to see a man dressed as a woman. However, our lives are made up of constant experiences old and new. The more people are exposed to different experiences while in safe situations the better adjusted they are as they grow up. So, for me, seeing and maybe even interacting with one of us can be a good learning experience, which helps eliminate that fear of the unknown syndrome that so many of us, even me sometimes, feel when confronted with something very new and even strange. I want all of my children and theirs too to experience as much as possible during their lives to be able to learn that all knew and different things are not necessarily bad. Kinda like getting someone to try a new food and finding out that in spite of being good for us, it actually tastes great too!

[PretzelGirl]

There is a lot of fun to be had in Vegas if you just let it go. Sounds like you hit all the big spots.

I don't know if it was the "strip" you went down since you said you went right after Drink and Drag, but going up and down Fremont St is fun dressed in any manner and that much better when you are doing it looking your best.

[Sophia Frances]

Yes, it was Freemont street.

[Lady Catherine]

How awesome for you. It really sounds incredible. I'm going to be going to Vegas in June and I like knowing I can bring Catherine with me.

[ArleneRaquel]

Congrats, your trip sounded heavenly. I have always wanted to visit Vegas as Arlene. Thank you so much for sharing.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Sophia, It sure sounds like you had a wonderful time in Vegas although you were some what the new normal for Vegas.

[Bree Wagner]

Sophia,

What an amazing experience. For a first time out to be a two day extravaganza like that is incredible. You really hit all the highlights.

Hopefully you'll get more chances to experience wonderful stuff like this again!

All the best,
Bree

[Sophia Frances]

Hopefully I will Bree, but I cannot imagine another scenario that will put me in Vegas...alone...for an extended period of time, but you never know. I don't think I will EVER have the courage to do what I did in Vegas here at home.

[bridget thronton]

Wow - sounds like a great trip

[Sophia Frances]

2 pics from this weekend

[Jenniferathome]

"Almost real" is a good way to put it. I felt very comfortable once my initial anxiety passed. the only time I felt "weird" was when I walked past a family with children. I don't know why...maybe it was the parent in me and I really can't explain it any better than that...but when I passed a child I felt "bad" if that makes any sense. That was it though. Everything else was spectacular.

Hi Sophia, I'm a dad as well and I get the feeling. You want a kids life to be non-confusing. But the upside of kids, under 6, is there is no judgement. "Hey, that is a boy dressed as a girl." And then that's it. No hatred, no worries, just observation if that even happens. For kids a bit older, they look to their parents for reaction. If none, then they brush it off. Just something they saw and then it's forgotten as they move on to the next amazing thing they see in life. Their collection of little snippets of life make them open or closed minded later on.

[Robinkay]

Gee you are one lucky girl !!!
I hope to meet Amy some time on my next trip to Vegas. Thanks for sharing !

[Beverley Sims]

I found Las Vegas a great place to be. Go to bed at 4am and rise about midday.
A theme park for adults. Maybe I will try a transformation although I was happy dressed and receiving cards from the girls who wanted to be in my room 20 mins later.
One even suggested I should be handing out cards as well. :)
Oh! I did have my wife with me and she was also given cards by the girls.

[Lorileah]

Awesome you had a good time. But one major question, how did you walk in the Payless shoes for an hour? Wow:notworthy:.

I understand your trepidation to going to a gay bar, but ask yourself one question, did anyone there try and pick you up? Did they treat you like a weirdo? Relax, you have seen guys in underwear before. Enjoy yourself. Gay guys want MEN not TGs. Now that you have been out, don' set too many limits. Have fun! (and now you know how to apply makeup right???)

[Kelly Smith]

Sophia, You have inspired me. I am going to do Vegas enfemme! Thanks for sharing.

[Sophia Frances]

I play ice hockey and I have always found that walking in heels is closer to walking in skates. I have no issues striping on the highest heels and just walking. I'm lucky that way

[Sophia Frances]

Awesome you had a good time. But one major question, how did you walk in the Payless shoes for an hour? Wow:notworthy:.

I understand your trepidation to going to a gay bar, but ask yourself one question, did anyone there try and pick you up? Did they treat you like a weirdo? Relax, you have seen guys in underwear before. Enjoy yourself. Gay guys want MEN not TGs. Now that you have been out, don' set too many limits. Have fun! (and now you know how to apply makeup right???)
It wasn't a limit per see, it was just something I wasn't prepared for. Being that going out was a first for me, going to an overtly sexual gay bar distracted me from my intentions of enjoying myself as Sophia. No, no one hit on me and I wasn't worried about that. I've been groped by gay men in bars and ive handled it well...but I was ME. As Sophia I felt vulnerable and a little frightened. There was a lot of Sex talk, especially by the MC of the club, and talk of an after hours Sex Club that everyone was going to where apparently T Girls are free, welcomed and encouraged, and it just wasn't my scene nor was I 100% comfortable, especially considering that every time I looked down, looked in the mirror, or went to the bathroom I again realized that"I" was one of those girls she was encouraging to go.

[Julie Denier]

Sounds like you had a great time, which should be obvious by the gorgeous smile in your awesome pics ;)

[Claire Cook]

Yes, another awesome first time story; Sophia, it sounds like that first time sink-or-swim and you did 10 laps! Treasure that liberating feeling .. if my experience is any indication, it does not go away. And like you I shy away from the sex things -- I've never been to a gay bar and I think I would feel uncomfortable going to one as Claire.

Awesome pics!

[gracee]

Just curious... Where did you stay? Did you dress there? If so, did you feel comfortable going in and out?

[Rhonda Darling]

Sophia:

What a great story. Very inspiring. With your kind of courage to just jump in, I expect we'll soon be hearing of you flying there en femme. If you want courage on that front, a trailblazer for us is Kimberly. See: http://kimberlyhuddle.blogspot.com/

Now that you've started, don't stop. Being femme is delicious. :battingeyelashes:

Best regards,

Rhonda

[kimdl93]

That was a wonderful story. I'm sure you'll treasure those memories - and add more next time!

[Sophia Frances]

I actually did not change at the hotel, nor did I walk in it. I had a rental car and changed and wiped make up off in it. To be honest, I was scared to walk in the hotel.

[Tiffany Ember]

You are gorgeous Sophia. My first time was also in Vegas last October. During the week I was there I was also alone and had the evenings free in my motel room to dress up and practice my makeup. I wanted to get out dressed but couldn't find any other local CDs online to go out with. Finally my last night there I couldn’t wait any longer and took my first steps out alone and had a great time. After the initial scared feeling of leaving my room and getting to my car, I started feeling so good about being out. I drove around for a while then I finally just had to do some shopping. I went to the friendly places like the adult clothing and lingerie stores and had a blast being out enfemme shopping. I know I wasn’t quite passable but I felt good anyway especially because I never looked this good before and I felt I wasn’t all that bad anyway for not totally passing. I was treated with respect from all of the employees and cashiers that I came in contact with, and the other shoppers didn’t pay me any mind. At one store a couple in their 20′s started chuckling when they walked by me and I felt because of myself being read, but I was surprised that it didn’t bother me at all. I didnt want the night to end, and even though I didn’t go to the regular public stores and places yet I felt it was a great first step for me. The next day I was flying high and was so proud being Tiffany that in guy mode I stopped at a couple of women’s clothing stores and a wig shop before leaving Vegas and going back home to Utah. When the sales ladies would asked me if they can help me I was proud saying that I’m looking for some cute dresses and outfits for myself. At the wig store the older lady was so nice and she helped me try on wigs and got me a better style and color that was best for me.
Now I so bad want to go to Salt Lake for a weekend and go out enfemme with my supportive fiancé. I will be in Vegas again in February and this time I’m going out every night and slowly push the boundaries of where to go. I'm hoping to find a local CD to go out with but no matter what I'm going out starting from the first night I get there.

[Melissa Rose]

Sophia, yay and yippee for having such a wonderful time especially for a first time out. It is such a great feeling, and it wets your appetite for more.

For those interested in getting out and about in Las Vegas, there is a t-girl gathering each year called Diva Las Vegas. It is April 14-19 this year. Some personal stories about a few of last year's adventures can be found here.
http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?173120-Diva-Las-Vegas-2012-everyone-share-here-!!! There are a few more threads about DLV floating around the forum.

A quick Google search for Diva Las Vegas will find the web site.

[GiannaD]

Sophia, I am so jealous! It sounds like you had a blast and I thing that is what everyone on this site wants to experience at some point...Hmmm, how can i get to vegas? So happy for you!!

[Persephone]

Way to go, Sophia!

Totally loved reading about your trip to Vegas. What a wonderful post!

And you look damned good, girl! Wow! What a super sexy look! And a terrific smile!

Hugs,
Persephone.

[~Joanne~]

Such a wonderful story, Thank You for sharing it :) I don't travel much myself, due to funds, but if I ever get the chance, it sounds like Vegas is the place to go to be myself for a couple of days :) Hopefully someday I will make it happen.

[CassandraSmith]

Loved your story. Thanks for sharing it.

Cassy

[Ericaxd]

Oh my, what a great story. Saying I'm envious doesn't even begin to express how I felt reading that--envy, but joy for you, too. I've been to Vegas many times, mainly on business, and never knew what I was missing!

[AndreaS]

I am envious of your time in Vegas enfemme. Can't wait to hear about you strutting in and out of the hotel like you own the place. Actually, hotels are one of the most accepting places you can go, especially in Vegas. They want you to feel welcome so that you'll come back and spend money there again.
Keep us filled in on your next adventure and take plenty of pics!

[Beverley Sims]

Vegas is incredibly TG friendly.
Love Vegas for that reason as well.
Telling them you are dressing in drag means just another one to them.
I must convince the wife to look at more of the drag shows there, as I really wanted to check some more out.
If you are read, you are just another on on other peoples tick list.
The prostitutes are great to talk to as they hand out cards.
They ask if you would like to join their organization and learn a "real" trade.
Nice to joke with them and not sleazy at all.
Oh! dont take the kids out, they can be like a ball and chain around your neck although they can look at the outside displays and get a taste of the atmosphere that way.

[Phylis Nicole Schuyler]

2 pics from this weekend

God! I wished I even looked part way as good as you. You looked awesome and I'm glad you had a great time.

[shawnsheila]

YAY for Sophia! I love hearing great "out and about" stories like this. I know exactly what you mean about the "freeing" experience you had. I have had 2 outings and I must say, after the initial rush of fear, it is simply fantastic to be out and about en femme. I wish I could do it more but I have a wife (who knows about it and is still on her journey to acceptance) and children who range in ages from 6 - 14 so i know where you are coming from when you have to keep Sophia in the closet until opportunities such as your Vegas trip, present its self

I hope you get to enjoy more!

[Adrienna]

Fantastic outing and wonderful story!!! Wow!!! Thanks so much for sharing...yep, ain't the end of the world!!! Did you happen to take any pics???

[Paula T]

I so want to go to Vegas for a few days and I suppose if I don't I will have nobody to blame except myself. This I hope will be the year to do it just have to have somebody take care of my dogs for a few days.:) This was a wonderful story. I do go out locally but just want to experience vegas as Paula

[SandraV]

Wow! Loved your story. Glad to hear things went well and you had a wonderful time. Specially for a first time out. Not going to be easy for you to top that outing I'm sure.

[Sophia Frances]

Thank you so much for all the compliments...it is very flattering. I have to say that it was mostly Amy at "Just You", and her apprentice Brenda that made me look good. If you go to Vegas...go to see them!