make a very loud noise. By the end of the week we were distinctly fed up with
this constant hassle so began saying things like 'no prostitutes today thanks'
or 'no, we are full up for porn'. We even got out our own business cards and
proffered these - the Neanderthal porn dispensers were not amused!
Sadly (!) not everything in Vegas is so freely available and we did pay
for a few of our entertainments. For example we went on a gondola in the
Venetian hotel, albeit a motorized one. Our 'driver' sung beautifully for us and
was actually Italian, it was a bit like It’s a small world' in Disney, but bigger...
and with fewer nationalities represented. Yes, the ride was expensive, but still
cheaper - and less smelly - than doing the real thing. We also paid for a
classic variety act show called 'Viva Las Vegas', though we did get a discount
and complimentary drink coupon included...it would not be Vegas (or indeed
anywhere in the US) without coupons! The show was cheesy but fun, feeling
like the movie-version of Vegas entertainment. Where we really splashed out
was on the Cirque Du Soleil performance at the Bellagio hotel. O is a
combination of breathtaking circus acts executed on, in, and above water.
This was our third Cirque show in a year and we are clearly addicted - no
other explanation for spending that much money on something so
ephemeral.... well worth it though!
Spending money to be entertained was the exception rather than the rule
during this contrasting week spent between Death Valley and Vegas. But
price, or rather lack of it, was the only characteristic these activities shared.
No scantily clad rangers doing risqué dance routines in Death Valley, much to
Emma’s disappointment.