Chinese New Year a la Vegas
We decided, rather spur of the moment, since it got really cold in Colorado and because we couldn’t be assured that Elton John and the two of us would all three make it to his Denver stop on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, that we should just head to Vegas for the weekend, catch Elton while he is still playing Caesar’s, and warm up a bit while we were there. I know that was a really long, pressurized sentence but Vegas has a way of bringing out the mania in all of us.
I’m not sure what goes faster in Vegas. Time or money? And I can’t believe how tired we were when we got back even though nothing happened while we were there that needed to stay there. We didn’t drink that much, eat that much, stay up in the wee hours gambling away our life savings or have marathon sex like most of the people in town. We have kind of passed our expiration date for such excesses but we still had a lot of fun in our comparatively minimalist kind of way.
Vegas never fails to assault stimulate your senses. Elton was truly wonderful. But what really offered up entertainment were the weirdos on Fremont Street and the toilet bidet in our hotel bathroom. Americans aren’t accustomed to bidets so we tend to view them as toys. If you ever have an opportunity to play with one don’t be intimidated. But I would suggest having a reasonable amount of privacy until you get the hang of it. It is not as easy as it looks. Like most things, one size doesn’t really fit all. You kind of have to wiggle around a bit and if you move too much the water will squirt all the way up your back. Not to worry though as long as you have something to dry off with. At least it’s warm, clean water from the tap unlike the water in public toilets where the electric eye doesn’t always function correctly. They have a tendency to signal a flushing at the wrong time and spray who knows what all over you before you are finished. And bidets do have their limits. For example, they would be useless in Washington because they are just not big or powerful enough to do a proper job on our elected representatives. I would explain this further but I think you know what I mean.
Bidet controls. Toilet comes with a phone too so everyone knows what you are doing.
Fremont, on the other hand, has things you would probably not want to play around with or even approach. It is kind of the side show of the whole Vegas circus. Words do not do these sights justice. Some are so gross I was afraid to take a picture lest my camera explode. The dress code on Fremont is “pasties casual” (not to be confused with the “pasty casual” look of old white men coming from the snow belt in their shorts and black socks). You won’t be arrested in Vegas as long as you have pasties on your nipples even if you are ancient and need to sew two potato sacks together for a bra and you are scaring the crap out of every young woman over an A cup about her future. I have never understood the logic nor the inequality of pasties anyway. This guy isn’t wearing any.
No pasties. No pasty.
Other hustlers can be kind of fun. Like you might dare to interact with this guy as long as you carry hand sanitizer just in case. I kind of get where he is coming from.
Same to you buddy!
On the other hand, there is not enough disinfectant in the world to get near this guy.
Chumley’s doppelgänger?
Vegas offers all kinds of decadence to go along with the good shows. It also offers cheap flights and nice weather which is sometimes reason enough to go even if Elton isn’t on your bucket list. Have you ever been to Vegas? How was your trip?
The amazing Sir Elton
sixtiestosixties 
Never been.I guess I’ll go if the opportunity arises, but it’s not in my top 10.
I like some of the shows they have.
Omg! I love this!! The bidet reference (especially to elected representatives) had me in stitches!
Didn’t feel the need for an explanation.
I’ve managed one trip to Sin City, for Golf. Stayed at the Golden Nugget on Fremont Street. Amazed is an understatement. You have to see it if you go. Thankfully, you left out many photo op’s. The Zip-Line and the Light Show were fun to watch, the other, not so much.
Golden Nugget is on Fremont St so you know what I cannot unsee! There is a great steak restaurant down there as well called Hugo’s Cellar.
We had just finished watching This is Us (they all went to Las Vegas) tonight. So your post was timely. There are three things I want to do…there are more but these three come to mind. Try out a bidet, stay in one of those bubble houses in Iceland so I can watch the aurora borealis and be warm, and sleep in a tiny house (not listed in order of priority). I had to step over one to get into the shower in Italy (a bidet). Had a torn meniscus during that trip so I had to pass on the bidet…was in no condition for bathroom gymnastics.
You are a very funny lady. I just sent your link to six of my girlfriends.
Hey, we are coming back to Denver in August…arriving on the 13th and leaving on the 16th…weekdays…so hope you two will be around.
Thanks so muchfor the advertising. Hope to see you in August!
Oh, yes…one trip to Vegas in 2002 We saw Siegfried & Roy before Roy got eaten, Wayne Newton and Cirque..”O”
I had a yoga instructor (best ever) that used to dance in the Siegfried and Roy show. Also before he was eaten!
I’d subject myself too to the street circus of Vegas for Sir Elton. You captured Vegas unlike the tourist bureau brochures I’ve ever read. Ya just gotta see it to believe it (great photos). It’s strange, perhaps brave, and thankfully rare behavior. I am shocked you weren’t accosted by your subjects. In Vegas you were totally outnumbered! Belly laugh, thanks.
BTW-Elton usually has on a costume of big glasses, sparkly attire, colorful hair. I bet he looked “normal”. Write on— I want more!!!!
Vegas is just a bit twisted for sure but people can never seem to get enough of it.
Ah Vegas! It is funny that the phrase “what goes on in Vegas…” has never been a problem for me either! However, I have used it in other places! I enjoyed your take on it. Last time we were in Vegas for my 60th birthday, we witnessed a police car back up into another unsuspecting car with the occupants in it. The police woman got out, inspected the other car’s bumper and deemed it “NO DAMAGE!”. Then the couple got out and saw it was actually dented. They asked us to help them file a report and my son-in-law stepped in, “do you really want to go down this road?” We walked away from it. I felt bad but after all, anything can happen in Vegas but who wants to take it with them? We saw Elton John here in Jax and it was great as he had Billy Joel with him. Your next book needs to be FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS. I read it a few years back after picking it up at a library sale. I wouldn’t say it was the best book but it sure was interesing! Viva Las Vegas!
Did you get my lengthily reply?It may have not gone thru as I do not have a URL
Sent from my iPhone
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No, it did not come through but this obviously did.
Nice to have a post about Vegas geared toward us prune juice and Maalox set. I used to get emails from friends with photos of Walmatians (although I gotta say that shopping there I’ve never seen the weirdness that some people claim), your photos reminded me of those. I remember Mother Flag and Country’s agent telling us way back when…” Elton John is gonna be huge, like Sinatra”…. and we all went, “yeah right!” (who knew?) I’ve enjoyed his music a lot over the years.
I’ve been twice over the years. First time was as a teenager, too young to get into the casinos and just recall the heat at a campground. Second time was for a bachelor party, and so yeah, that kinda needs to stay in Vegas.
You know I love your writing, and am glad you’re back at it!
Aren’t you glad people didn’t have camera phones in you wild youth?