The Paris Casino’s “Eiffel Tower” rises behind the Bellagio’s fountains.  Las Vegas (DL)

 

Las Vegas

 

If you really want to experience a major culture change, start the day in Salt Lake City and end it in Las Vegas. If that doesn’t get your bearings turned around, then I don’t know what will.

 

I had never been to Las Vegas before this trip.  But, it turned out to be everything I had heard.  Coming from Utah just heightened the contrast between Las Vegas and the rest of the country.  I’m not referring to the morality, although no one in Salt Lake City gave me business cards for prostitutes.  The contrast that really struck me concerned the attitude toward the land.  In Utah, there is a real sense that the Mormons tried to construct their buildings with some sensitivity toward nature.  Las Vegas is simply the triumph of money over nature.  It was astounding to see dancing fountains, erupting volcanoes, and massive skyscrapers in the middle of a desert.  These things shouldn’t be there; yet, there they were for all to enjoy.  It was simply amazing.

 

We were lucky enough to spend our day in Vegas with Kelly and Denise.  As always, they were great guides.  They took us to the Venetian, the Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, and the Aladdin.  All of these hotel/casinos were architecturally breathtaking, and physically impressive.  We made it to the Star Trek experience, but didn’t do much gambling (I’m too much of a tightwad to enjoy myself gambling).  Still, we were impressed just walking around the Strip and seeing the sights.

 

I don’t know if I’m ready to go back to Vegas again.  But, it was definitely worth experiencing once.

 

Another picture of the Bellagio’s fountains. (ML)

 

 

                                                                                                     

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