Hey hey... I've been battling allergies for a few days now, but I wanted to write about my Vegas experience before the memories dull in my mind.
Beginning with the beginning - I saw the most beautiful lake on the descent into Vegas - after asking around I discovered that this was Lake Mead. From the air it was spectacular. The red sand blending into the pale blue water, and the water shading from pale blue, into pale teal, aqua, deep teal and dark blue. I can only imagine what it is like from the ground.
On arrival in Vegas - I found it to be a great deal more crowded than I expected. The stream of people in our hotel/casino was constant and check-in took almost an hour. Happily there were "dealertainers" near the hotel check in - these are blackjack dealers dressed as celebrity impersonators. Cheesy but quite effective at being entertaining. The dealers would occasionally take a break from cards, and "perform" a song on the stage in the middle of the blackjack area. During my stay I saw (fake) Shakira, Garth Brooks, Brett Michaels, Lady Gaga, Bette Midler and others. After a brief run in with housekeeping -which you can read about by clicking here - we were off and ready to go searching for food.
Margaritaville was next door and had delightful decor. The prices weren't that horrid - and I found the "lost shaker of salt". It was one of the best cheeseburgers that I have eaten, that or else I was that hungry. There was a volcano show and where else can you see a man on stilts making balloon hats? (alright, probably lots of places...)
I was surprised that blocks off of the strip there were convenience stores and dollar stores.
The public restrooms are disgusting, but the walkways by the casinos were amazing. Each casino seems to have it's own theme, and it's own vibe and the little strip malls that connect the casinos, carry on that theme. I saw Paris, Bellagio, Venitian, Harrah;s, Imperial Palace - those are the ones I can remember easily, and where our hotel had celebrity impersonator some casinos had exotic dancers as blackjack dealers.
On the wilder-than-exotic-dancers - note - there were a ton of people on street corners handing out "entertainer" cards. These people are called "card slappers". I don't know if I really get an under-age audience of readers here, but if you are curious you can read about these card slappers and type of material they hand out here. While I found it shocking, it also made me sad, both for the "entertainers" and for the people handing out the cards. I saw a man, asleep across his bag of "cards". An award winning photo - but one I decided to pass up.
Speaking of photos - what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. I guess my camera happened in Vegas - because - that's right - it stayed in Vegas. I'm still not sure if it was stolen or misplaced - but my address and phone were on it incase this should happen and an honest person should find it. Happily it wasn't my best camera - but it still bothers me. However I didn't let it spoil the rest of my trip. I do find it a little dubious that someone out there has photos of me - and my address. (And no, no dirty photos on there either - get your mind out of the gutter) :-)
Oh - if you go - go see the fountain show at the Bellaggio - it is fantastic. Stay for a few shows if you can.
I didn't do all that I wanted - that's alright since a big part of my trip was belly dance convention - but I would definitely go back.
The sights and sounds were amazing. I did drop a $20 in a slot machine - and did not win. I also dropped $5 in a crane machine with the same result.
Incase it's of interest to anyone - here';s the stuff on my "next time" list -
"Treasure" hunt at pawn shops, second hands, etc
See the countryside/desert
See "downtown" Vegas
Cruise the strip at night in a cab
And here's a list of links - you can read my reviews on trip advisor if you wish :-)
Big breakfasts
Battista's Italian
Fountains
Imperial Palace hotel
Serendipity
So.... who wants to go to Vegas?
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