las vegas part iii: art walk

I knew that Vegas had opulent architecture, but it was very cool to see how much new art is around town. Before, there were a lot of marvels inside casinos, like the famous Chihuly ceiling at the Bellagio. But now the new City Center and its casinos have put many whimsical and fantastic pieces from their collections outside and in the mall, like the canoe sculpture.

las vegas part ii: dessert in the desert

What was amazing to see in Vegas is that all around me, at all times, there were abundances where there should be none. Water in the desert? There are hundreds of fountains and sometimes the water dances. We are in an economic downturn, but every where I turn there is opulence and bells and pings from wins and high limit areas. One thing that I was quite pleased to see in abundance were the various European pastry shops that I found in nearly every casino like Payard and Jean Phillipe. The largest chocolate fountain in the world and the best lemon creme and raspberry-filled macaroon with a sugar dusted rose petal are found in Nevada. Not one treat was a gamble and all were winners.

vegas part i: cityscapes

I have wanted to go to Las Vegas for years. I don't really drink, I never gamble, and I don't do well in high temperatures. So why have I been so curious about this desert destination? I LOVE SPARKLE. I love lights and excess and majestic design and absurdly over the top curiosities. And Vegas did not disappoint. In just a few miles,I could visit Paris, New York, and Venice, see water dance, and sit in a crystal chandelier. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.