Viva, Las Vegas

Actually, if not for my mother the three of us would not have traveled. She was the impetus - the spark, if you will - that suggested the adventure. Though, for both my faithful traveler and myself one does not need to beg company.

I admit that I didn't know what to expect. I'd seen things on TV and just about everyone I met has apparently gone to Vegas at some point or another. Here's a little experiment - tell someone that you're going to LV (true or not is irrelevant). See just how many people have gone out there. It truly is amazing. And not one person - not one - had a bad thing to say about it. Part of my concern was the same issue I have with movies like Titanic and other events of similar magnitude. Everyone hypes it. Then, when the moment of truth arrives, when it's time to put up or shut up, what happens? It's a dissappointment. Humans very naturally elevate their expectations when other humans speak highly of something. I attempted, therefore, to remain as neutral as possible.

I don't like flying. I know this now. It had been some time since my last lift off from ground, not counting the hot-air balloon flight I took in summer 2002. I don't mind the take off or landing part. It's the sitting that kills me. Four hours or so cramped in a 'spacious' seat with the lady in front of you reclined all the way into your lap. You could give that person a temple massage if you wanted to make friends.

Arrive at the LV airport. First symbol indicating we're in LV are the slots. Right in the airport. A hole bullpen full of these buggers just calling out your name. Picked up our rental car, drove to 'the strip' to our hotel - Paris. This is one nice place. Every effort is made so that you feel like you're in Paris. Now, I've never been to Paris, France - the real Paris. But I've seen a picture or two and I've watched the Tour De France on TV. It really looked and felt like you were in France. I'd recommend it to anyone.

We had some events planned, but much of our time was spent wandering, which is something the three of us do quite well. In our five day stay we covered many miles up and down the strip. Though Paris is located pretty much smack in the middle, there are sights to see for several blocks in each direction. Many of the sights are the individual casinos which are rather elaborate as one attempts to out-do the other. Each has a show or two and some other attractions designed to lure passersby.

And of course there's the gambling. Now, I'm not rich. And I positively stink at math. But I love blackjack. I can stand by that table for hours and watch. These people are doing math in their heads like some human texas instrument. And when that ACE gets thrown down? Forget it. I need a pencil and paper to figure things out. I did actually sit down at a table a couple times. Won some. Lost some. And, as usual, I left feeling I should have just donated the money to charity. Anyway, the three of us realized quite quickly that we're not too swift in the gambling arena so we switched to nickel slots. And we did pretty well. Only problem is that winning 1000 nickels is about enough for dinner at Burger King. But it was fun and in the end my faithful traveler and I gained some green whilst my mother happily donated hers to the casino.

Saw three shows - Blue Man Group (awesome, go see this one), Mystere (a cirque do soleil production, very cool), and Jubilee (one of the standard LV productions with naked people that shouldn't be naked).

Las Vegas is an interesting city. Lots of rich things going on - people, cars, jewelry, furs. But about a block of the strip is like the mean streets. While maybe not classified as poor it certainly is flirting with the label. Atlantic city is the same way, there's this huge clash between money and no money. You feel safe on the strip, but one block off and you don't. Karl Marx and his buddy Engels would've enjoyed the experience.

Culturally, LV is fascinating. There is a tremendous mix of people; many languages can be heard throughout the city. And the people are really nice, which surprised all three of us. There was not a time when we had a bad experience with some random stranger. Lots of politness and thank-you's etc. Even the folks passing out the porn flyers on the street were polite (i'm not even going to explain this one - you'll just have to go to LV).

So in the end it was a great experience. Lots of fun, good bonding time and we won some nickels which'll come in handy for the parking meters.