“My Las Vegas”

11.-18.09.2011

Getting there from Europe wasn’t easy. I had to change planes in Chicago and reached Las Vegas in Nevada late in the evening. What made the arrival more interesting was that it took place on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. And that I had a passport with only two visas – for Russia and the USA. But fortunately, everything went smoothly. The flight over Atlantic was another matter…there were no screens for each passenger and I had a pleasure of sitting next to a Roma lady who was bigger than life…sizewise. Somehow this all faded away once we landed in Las Vegas. As you have probably heard, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Often because the people involved don’t remember much. I was there on a business trip and after the meetings and other events kept my eyes open and camera rolling. Anyways, this is what I remember.

It was late in the evening. The best time to reach Sin City. Lights everywhere. A cab took me from the airport to my hotel. To the Bellagio – one of the best-known landmarks in the city made famous in the classic movie Ocean 11. Some of my friends were already there and welcoming us with balloons and funny gifts. Our room was on one of the top floors with two king-size beds and a view to kill for.

The time difference combined with some jetlag and empty stomach made us leave the hotel and go for a walk. It was good timing because the famous fountains outside of Bellagio were scheduled to show off in a minute. It’s really magical, beautiful and powerful show free of charge for anyone passing by. The program is surprisingly long for such a show that takes place around midnight. As our windows were also towards the fountains then we could enjoy the show many more times and from different angles.

The next day brought along the dry and sunny weather typical to Las Vegas. The city’s main street or The Strip is basically made of different casino hotels and brand stores. Each more famous than the other. The New York, MGM Grand, Cosmopolitan and so on to mention just a few of them. The copy of the Eiffel tower was just across the street from us. In the background were visible the mountains and desert that surrounds the city. The hotel outside pools was full of people, drinks and birds. Our neighbour was the one and only Caesars Palace, which was made famous in the movie called Hangover. It’s an architectural marvel with its halls, stairs, stores, casinos and automated shows like the one with ancient gods and fountains. Each hotel wants to make something unique and better than the other. Competition works there in the best possible way.

In the evening we took a drive to the older part of Las Vegas – the Fremont Street Experience. The location of some older casinos (Golden Nugget, Binion’s etc.) and unique public street which is covered by a roof with endless multimedia installations. It’s a place of entertainment, food and endless mass of people. You can spend hours there and not get bored.

The Venetian Casino & Hotel was one of the more interesting ones on the Strip. Looking like a small city of Venice with its bridges and gondolas. the hotel is also specializing in musicals and other shows. I had a chance to see The Phantom of the Opera for the first time there. I don’t have any comparison but this was a nice experience. Opposite to The Mirage and Treasure Island, The Venetian is hard to miss. It doesn’t matter if it’s day or nighttime. After dark, each hotel tries to catch your eye with artificial volcanos, fire shows etc. My favourite is still the Bellagio with its fountains. You could just hear Sinatra singing in the background when glancing out of the window and taking in the cityscape.

Our next-door neighbour was the Cosmopolitan, where we had dinner in the Wicked Spoon restaurant. The best selection of foods and drinks I had a chance to try in Vegas. starting from sushi to barbecued steaks and finishing with strawberries and ice cream.

The last mandatory stop for all tourists, newlyweds and bachelorette-party-goers in Vegas is the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. The other side says wisely “Drive Carefully, Come Back Soon”. That is good advice.