Las Vegas
Last night after writing my post I went out for a little wander down the Strip. For those of you not familiar with Las Vegas the way it works is that there is one street (Las Vegas Blvd aka The Strip) along which all the major casino/hotels are. The hotels are all places you'll have heard of - The Bellagio, The Venetian, etc. The whole town revolves around these casinos - each one puts on shows or has a famous restaurant or whatever, so everything is followed by "at" For example "David Copperfield at MGM"
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The Bellagio |
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Indoors at the Venetian |
The main part of the strip where all the most famous casinos are is about 2 miles long and is wonderful. It's designed in such a way that it's almost impossible to avoid ending up in a casino. It has electric stairs that help you cross the street and before you know it you've been diverted into a bank of slot machines.
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These are outdoors - what if it rains? |
It's packed with people (even on a Sunday night in October) who are either touristing, jumping in and out of casinos, people handing out cards advertising "girls, girls, girls!" and just plain weirdos. I'm not sure if it's because it's almost Halloween but I saw some straaaaange things. I also saw this guy:
His name is Jeremy and he's from Arizona. He came to Vegas 8 months ago with his brother and they take it in turns to stand on one of the pedestrian bridges being kicked in the nuts for money. "No cup guaranteed!" he boasts. When I asked him why he was doing it he said it was to get famous "I've been on TV and everything!" (the way that he stressed the T made it somehow easier to believe that that really was his end goal)
Hoover Dam
A few years ago my brother and his wife came home raving about the Hoover Dam. I think they'd seen it from a helicopter and they were amazed at the incredible things humans can do when they set their mind to it. I've wanted to go there ever since and today I did!
I can confirm that it really is breathtaking. Since they visited a new bridge has been opened opposite it (the Hoover Dam Bypass) which is equally stunning. It took 9 years to build and was designed to relieve the traffic on the Dam. It has a pedestrian walkway which caters to all my needs - it's a good walk (I like walking) it has a stunning view (I think we've established I'm a fan of those) and it's REALLY high!!!! It made me feel dizzy just looking down. You see people clutching their cameras and hats as if they suspect them of having suicidal thoughts and that they might jump at any time.
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Can you see the shadow of the bridge? |
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A photo I found online so you can see how impressive it really is! |
This bridge is officially called the Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Mike O was a governor of Nevada and Pat Tillman was a professional footballer from San Jose CA who gave up his multimillion dollar sporting career to join the Army only to be killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan at the age of 27.
Lake Mead
The reservoir being held in by the Hoover Dam is called Lake Mead and the land that surrounds it is a National Park (I am so glad I forked out the $80 for an annual pass for all NPs!) It is largely formed of reddish rock and is really spectacular. I've lost count of the number of times I've said to myself "I really am in the desert"
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Lake Mead |
The police
You know when you're driving along and some jackass going at a million miles an hour overtakes you and you mutter under your breath about how you hope he gets caught by the police? I saw that happen today! There was the speeding jackass, the police doing a screeching U turn, the flashy lights, etc. It was great! Mind you, it would have been better if I wasn't the jackass but I got away without a ticket, just with a warning that if I'd been doing that kind of speed on a freeway I'd have been arrested.
Hurricane
I'm in a tiny town called Hurricane in Utah, from where I'll be going to Zion NP and Bryce Canyon. Coincidentally, the East coast of the US is being hit by a hurricane/winter storm and it looks really bad - people are being evacuated and buildings are falling down. Pretty scary stuff.
In other news
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Even Maccy D's tarts up for Vegas |
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Refreshingly honest |
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I can think of a few people that would sign up for this |
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Fancy soap!! |
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Seen by Lake Mead
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I left California!