Viva Las Vegas

Your author here went to Las Vegas to do some research for a number of upcoming books. After all, the last time I was there was in 1984, and let's just say the town has changed a wee bit since then.
A secondary reason was to play in some national-level poker tournaments I'd qualified for. (Had terrible cards for most of them, so didn't make the money- although one we were very, very close.)

After a flight on which I sat between two sick people (who passed it on to me, a nasty, two-week misery, may they rot in Hell), we landed in Shangri-La. Lots to see and do, even at the airport.

A big surprise was the prevalence of smoking indoors, something we haven't seen in years. I snapped a pic of this artifact, a cigarette-dispensing machine. Could have done without the smokers, frankly. Who still does that in 2019?

Cool decor at The Orleans, with a New Orleans vibe, including large plastic gators.

And giant Mardi Gras heads, balconies with wrought-iron railings, and colors.

We finally made it out of the place after a couple of days. Here's the exterior.

My friend Dave and I checked out The Strip, like George Clooney and Brad Pitt in Ocean's Eleven.

Amazing structures, inside and out.

So much cool glasswork

 

And Ceasar's Palace. Lives up to the hype.

People-watching is fun here. And you never know what you'll run into- like a Bobby Darin star! 

What a shame it's defaced. Should be fixed.

On another day, we went down to Fremont Street, for some lively street action. 

 Performers and artisans are given a space for their craft. And you can saddle up for some wild rides.

Fun time with the gang

We get to hang out with a million bucks!

Our crew at work during the poker tournaments

A visitor on party night

And just to be sure we know we're in the desert