Prior to moving here, I’d only visited Vegas a mere three times. Most trips from Los Angeles to Las Vegas are short weekends on a mission… whether it’s a poolside mission, a PARTY mission or in my case, an annual quick business trip for the Magic Trade Show. Despite the “mission”, my past visits to Vegas were all fast, full weekends donned with a sort of inside-the-Vegas-Strip tunnel vision. Needless to say, upon moving here a walk down the Strip and throughout the casinos now has a much different connotation for me… I’m actually paying attention to things and analyzing them. This is my new town… might as well get to know it, right?
The Las Vegas Strip is such a strange, yet intriguing thing! There’s plenty to photograph, mock, and ogle at in wide-eyed dis-belief; but let’s start with the most beautiful and interesting things I could find…
I’m a sucker for the Paris Hotel with its replica of the Eiffel Tower and the oh-so-charming French sidewalk restaurant, Mon Ami Gabi. I am so eager to eat here; not only will it remind me of my beloved (and missed) Cafe Stella days in Silverlake, but it’ll also be just like the romantic trip I’ve always wanted to take to PARIS… won’t it?!?
In speaking of Europe and dream vacations, I can’t fail to mention a gondola ride through the Venetian canals! Our very first night out in Vegas, this gondola ride was at the top of my to-do list… little did I know everyone visiting Vegas is as excited about these gondola rides as this new Vegas resident is. Apparently, the gondola rides are so popular one must make reservations days in advance. Is it possible that this gondolier really can sing us into Venice?!?
The sculptures, statues, and structures around Vegas truly are amazing. Joshua is working in the Forum Shops of Caesar’s Palace… this place is never-ending with it’s statues of men and horses in true Roman fashion. Yet my favorite sculpture discovery thus far is the Sirens of Treasure Island. The sculpture itself enchanted me enough that I’ll definitely return to “experience the Sirens of TI in a live sea battle with renegade pirates”. Yes, you heard me correctly… Sirens in a live sea battle with renegade pirates right in my neighborhood!!!
And so… this little nature-loving, eco-bikini designing, hippie gal leaps into the next phase of her life, just outside the Vegas strip. Who knew I’d end up here!
