Las Vegas Day 1 & 2
Thoughts on Las Vegas so far:
1. This is the best place for people watching, ever. You simply don’t see people like this anywhere else. People like… the 50-something beanpole and his Asian wife, she wearing a beaded Sears pantsuit and he wearing an oversized orange-and-blue paisley suit jacket, dancing ala Studio 54 to a live band. Or the old mob boss in his black dress shirt and his cold, much-injured wife in a 60s mod dress, dancing in careful arthritic steps to same band. Seriously awesome.
2. Star Trek Bar. Yes! I tasted blue beer and talked to a Klingon. Proof:
3. I am seeing far fewer people on drugs/women that are obviously prostitutes this time. What up, Las Vegas? Losing your edge?
4. The weather is… nice. It has been in the high 70s the whole time. I cannot tell you how relieved I am about that.
5. Skyline:
6. Fancy French food in Las Vegas seems like a good idea (in context), but it turns out it isn’t that great. It’s not awful, but the little details are messed up–the appetizer it too acidic or the frites have been left sitting under a hot light too long–and the waitress explains what escargot and steak tartare is to you. Why is this town starting to be known for its food, again?
7. Bellagio Fountains, not without charm:
8. Gambling continues to be a mystery to me. I spent $2 on slot machines and won ten cents. Winning money is confusing. The machine makes noises and then you get a ticket for ten cents that you have to go redeem somewhere. Also, everyone who gambles is sad. Walking through some of those casinos is like walking through a funeral. Aren’t these people supposed to be enjoying this?
9. Ceiling at the Bellagio:
10. Drunk bicycling: A Las Vegas pastime?