Monday in Las Vegas

I recently traveled to Las Vegas for the Blackboard World conference. This is being posted a week later because of limited internet access.

I arrived in Las Vegas around noon. Caught the shuttle to the Venetian, but found out I was at the Palazzo; connected but separate. The shuttle ride sucked. I sat by the window, which was covered with a Bette Midler show advertisement so I couldn’t see where I was going. I did notice that we went by Hofbrauhaus, but lost context because of the windows and the weird geography. The two Japanese gents next too me were talking about their blackberry’s, Yahoo and golf. blah blah “intermittent showers” blah blah.

After I got to my room, and sufficiently scoped it out (awesome!), I walked to Hofbrauhaus. 2.4 miles in 102F. On crappy streets. With crazy people. By the time my sweaty self was seated, I needed a lager. I had the Nürnberger Rostbratwürst and kraut while trying to figure out how to get to Red Rock Canyon. I asked the waitress who had just moved for advice, but she couldn’t help me. She did say that I should just take the bus since it went right to Red Rock. I wanted to ask her why she chose to move to Vegas, but decided not to. It might have been a tragic story.

After lunch, I walked back towards the strip and was dive-bombed by a gray jay. It actually hit my head twice before I realized what was happening. It followed me for a few more palms, squawking. I warned the guy walking the opposite direction so he took a wide berth. I wish I hadn’t said anything so I could have gotten video of someone else getting pecked. I played some blackjack on the walk back and did fairly well for about 30 minutes then slowly lost my lead. Maybe I’m not patient enough.

After a humid walk back, I required a dip in the pool. It was really nice, floating on my knees looking up at Palazzo, Treasure Island, Wynn and Encore. Nice enough skyline. Afterwards, I sat in the room and sipped some tequila and watched the sun set. The worn thrust/fault mountains outside town really make me like the place much more. Suddenly there were cannon shots below and I discovered that it was one of Treasure Island’s many pirate shows. I saw it back in 2004 and remember standing on some concrete pylons across the strip by an empty lot. The room I’m in now didn’t exist just those few years ago. Freaky. There are lots of cranes all over the city and lots going on. Many of the casinos we passed last time no longer exist.

I went out for some dinner then came back to find my bed had been turned down and my ice bucket had been refilled. I could get used to this place. It’s a shame they haven’t embraced the internet. That would be nice. $10/day for wireless access is absurd. I just spent time in Nebraska where the hotel had free wifi. Get with the times.