Reflections on Las Vegas

Now, I know you will be surprised with this, but this morning the ladies wanted to go shopping to the fashion outlet downtown that they had not yet visited, so the lads decided to accompany them. Surely in Vegas there would be a bar, movie theatre, strip joint and Starbucks in the centre? No, just shops. Nonetheless, they managed to fill numerous bags with clothes and the boys even managed a couple of items. Mac and Kathy arrive from Florida and we head to Cirque du Soleil "O." It was booked for tonight and it did not disappoint in the spectacular nature of the performance or the production and costumes. It was held in  a grand theatre at Bellagio Hotel and Casino, which leads me to the description of Vegas itself. To say it is excess is an understatement. However contrary to our preconceptions, the architecture and engineering are incredible. Steel, glass and concrete have been used to create an incredible and massive external architecture from classic skyscrapers to recreated New York skylines and a Eifle Tower that looks, well not so much out of place as you would expect. Internally, however is where I think the real talent has been applied. Without a doubt, the finishes are over the top, but incredibly well done in a craftsman like manner. Of particular note and my favourite to date, is the Venetian. The interior has been used to recreate a full scale replica of parts of Venice, complete with vaulted walkways, cobbled streets, plaza and waterways with working gondolas. But here is the real surprise. You walk inside from the Strip where it is 103F with nothing but total blue sky and that little ball of bloody hot orange pumping out the UV's, into a climate controlled street of Venice. As you look around, you notice that the temperature is a mild 60F and the sky has turned into a blue and white cloud-studded expanse, with a 'just on evening' lighting. The builders have created a massive stadium roof over the internal fit out and suspended a fabric ceiling probably 100' above and, yes you guessed it, painted a sky. Walking back from Bellagio after the performance, the street is shoulder to shoulder with middle America, all being polite and getting along, despite the gawking tourists from downunder (and a couple from Florida), stopping to take photographs. luckily Joanne, who has been to LV many times, knows the way back to NYNY through the airconditioned lobbies of a number of adjoining Casinos. NYNY is feeling like home now and we enjoy a couple of nightcaps in one of the many bars before the senior Anzac contingent and Mac and Kathy hit the pillow.