We’re up early today and already making our way through a dozen different casinos. It’s only about 10:00 a.m. and I’m already exhausted from all of the walking that we’ve done. The slot machines seem to be all tuckered out from the brood of people that have flocked here for the Fourth of July weekend. I haven’t been very lucky today and feel like I may as well just be throwing my money at the wind.
As the day stretches on, we finally make our way to Caesars Palace, which is one of my favorite places in Vegas. The Forum Shops call to me, I have been waiting in eager anticipation to come back to this place. Our favorite deli is here; and amidst the commotion, I look fervently to find it. My mouth waters as we search for the place that can offer up the best corned beef sandwich that I have ever laid eyes upon. My stomach is making strange noises now, longing for the six inch high sandwich that it hasn’t seen for the last decade. Unfortunately, after searching through the shops one by one, Brian and I soon discover that the deli is gone for good. Our favorite place to eat is now just a mere memory.
We decide to continue on, hopeful that we will find another place that is just as good, but unfortunately we end up having to settle for a quick snack and then off we go again to observe the free shows, erupting every few hours as we continue to walk along. The ceiling changes throughout the day and I am charmed by its effects. This place has such a magical feel to it and leaves me wanting more. The downside is, that the shops remind me of Beverly Hills, and so I don’t even want to walk into most of them. I fear the clerks may ask me if they can help me; in which I know that my reply would most likely be, “Yes, as a matter of fact you can! You can help me right out this store, because I am poor and just spent most of my money at your pilfering casino!” So instead, I continue on…
We finally make our way outside, and I immediately spot a couple of beaten down war veterans. One looks completely stoned out of his mind and the other keeps telling people that he just wants a shower and a nice warm bed like everyone else. The two of them make quite the pair and I wonder how they ended up here. Curiosity and pity for the two of them gets the better of me and I decide to walk back and strike up a conversation. I put a $5 bill in their can, which hardly seems like enough. Here’s somebody that obviously fought for our country and now nobody is fighting for them. With tears welling up, I begin to ask the coherent one, some questions. I can feel Brian’s eyes from off in the distance, probably wondering if I have gone out of my mind. The man that I begin speaking to, is friendly and tells me about his past. I can tell he is just as hungry for conversation, as he is for food. After we briefly talk and I turn to go, he grabs my hand, kisses it, and says, “May God bless you.” A part of me wants to run and wash my hand in a gallon of bleach and the other half of me wants to reach down and hug this man to pieces! Instead, a tear slips down my face and I turn to go, knowing that most people around me will probably never even give this man a second thought. It breaks my heart, but what more can I do. I say a silent prayer for the two men and move on.
Brian is waiting for me over by the curb, giving me a confused look. I don’t say anything to him about what just happened and we continue walking down the strip. We have another show to see tonight; Le Reve, which is over at the Wynn and we slowly make our way over there, one casino at a time. I am quite tired after all of the walking that we have done today and when we finally reach the Wynn, I am hopeful that we will be able to sit down and wait for the show to start. Unfortunately there are no seats to sit upon and instead, we end up standing in line until finally the ushers show us to our seats.
The ambiance of the room immediately fills me with excitement. The room is dimly lit and there is a vivid display of colorful fabric hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the circular stage. The billowy fabric draws me in and leaves me in an almost trance like state. It doesn’t take long before the show begins and in an instant, the long clusters of fabric are yanked up into a mysterious black hole. After they disappear, dozens of acrobats make their way down from the same black hole. The acrobats land on the stage, which is now completely covered in water. They deliver quite a show as they dive and traverse the colorful waters. It is a spectacular scene and the costumes and settings remind me of the movie Avatar. It’s a shame when the show has to end and I am thoroughly worn out from the excitement of everything. Day 8 was surely a day that I won’t soon forget and I am really looking forward to tomorrow.
Such a wonderful memory 😘
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Let’s go again. Right now! 😉
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Go Girl
🙂
M
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Thanks M! 🙂 Hope you’re having a wonderful start to your weekend!
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On the couch trying to get WP to resolve my site issues. I’m at the point I’ll pay, tired of loosing readers.
Hope your Sunday is filled with sunshine.
🙂
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That’s not good! Sorry you’re having problems with it. I’m just about to head out to help with a free clothing exchange that we have every month for our community. So yes, that will bring sunshine to all who come!
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I have not participated in one but sound like lots of fun. I’m focuses on undeserved kids, I bought little kids backpacks, coats, jeans and lots of baby cloth. You can’t feel so excited than helping others.
Have fun.
🙂
M
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Thanks M, I had a ton of fun today. Everyone was stocking up for winter and we had a huge turnout, which made all of our efforts seem more worthwhile.
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Don’t you live in US? I can’t imagine stocking up on foot for winter.i was born in Texas and will grow old in cranky here.
Glad you had a great weekend.
🙂
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Yes, I live in Wisconsin. They were stocking up on warm jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves. 🙂
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In the cold north I remember why I live in Texas. It’s the summer that will kill you.
🙂
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I can only imagine!
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Stay in a sauna and 1/2 hour more and you’ll get a taste on the summer. I don’t do well in the cold for very long. Many of the places on my Bucket List are cold. I can’t wait to see the Caribou migrate in Northern Canada.
Have a great day.
🙂
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The closest I got was Nevada this summer. I grew up in California which was an average of 70 all year round. I don’t do well in the cold either. My husband is from here, which is why we ended up here. I am such a complainer during the winter and everything aches! Lol! I sure hope that you get a chance to see all those places on your list. I’ve never been to Canada, but I’ve been close! Take care and have a great rest of your weekend. 🙂
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I want to see the world, avoiding a few places now. 🙂
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Me too! 🙂
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I’ve had the goal/dream since childhood. I’m changed in some small way after a trip.
Have a great day.
🙂
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I’ve had the same dream. I really want to see as much of the world as I can. Happy Sunday! 🙂
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Bless you! 🙂
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🙂
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Loved Vegas! I also saw Le Reve and it was just breath-taking, your photographs reminded me of how beautiful it was. Funny how one leaves Vegas more tired than arriving but it’s still so much fun! 🙂
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Yes but it’s a good tired! 😉
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Oh yes, the best kind of tired 🙂
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Bless you for reaching out to the veterans. If only America would realize they are human beings, too. Thank you, Michelle…
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Well Dorinda, I am a veteran too. So who better to be understanding towards other vets. 🙂 There’s a bond that is formed between military members. They are all like brothers and sisters to me.
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What a day of contrasts! The flash and flamboyance of exterior entertainment and the deep inner immersion in empathy. No wonder you were tired out. 🙂
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Yes, I agree. The whole 21 day trip was kind of this way.
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Sounds like fun.
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Thanks Tessa! It really was. 🙂
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