Las Vegas (Oct. 23)

After a quick bite (delicious pumpkin pancakes) across from the self-realization compound in Encinitas, we continued on to get out to LA. It quickly became desert land and little bits of unbridled commercialism started popping up as beacons to draw people into the desolation. Eventually we made it to our giant spired hotel and were quickly overwhelmed with flashing lights and people who conveniently knew no information related to the world outside the casino/resort of their own. So we eventually made it out and got to enjoy some faux culture. Behind all of the facades and pomposity, there lurks pockets of real art, but not very often. Anyways, it was pretty fun to wander the halls, enjoy some drink and food and a few free "shows". Probably not the best place to be without wanting to spend money, as you do have to pay for most of the worthwhile cultural things in vegas (food/shows/drinks/art/museums/zoos?). But a good midway point to the Grand Canyon.

Pics: Our hotel, the Stratosphere, crazy theme shops (although the theme of the area had nothing to do with the shops ever it seemed), Paris, and fountain light show