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[#1]

I lived in Las Vegas from 1997-2003. When people ask me about living in Vegas I say, “it was fabulous!” I lived there when it was booming. Vegas was no longer the place where stars “went to die.” Stars came to Vegas because it was dynamic and sexy, and it was a place to reinvent and reaffirm the “cool.” That time epitomized “if you build it, they will come.” And build they did. Hotels, nightclubs, ultra lounges, and celebrity restaurants were popping up all over. I was there for the opening of The Bellagio, The Venetian, The Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood), Mandalay Bay, The Palms, Paris, and more. Here’s a pic from that time.

Since I left in 2003, I’ve visited friends in Vegas, and gone there to work, but last week I went as a tourist. Not surprisingly, things have changed in 12 years…lol!

Here I am standing outside of Bally’s. The entrance to Bally’s used to be a row of pillars that would change color. Now it’s an outdoor market with dozens of shops for browsing. And across the street, what used to be the Barbary Coast, is now The Cromwell.

What better way to rejuvenate after a night of revelry (read: drinking and gambling), than with a massage? But not just any massage… an aqua massage. You lay down fully clothed, and sprays of water beat down on your body (through a sheet of plastic so you don’t get wet).

After the massage, it’s good to get some oxygen, so I sat at an oxygen bar and refreshed the senses.

The Wynn hotel is gorgeous (no surprise… it’s a Steve Wynn property), and I went there for dinner at SW Steakhouse.

I saw Le Reve, a show by my favorite performers of all time, Cirque du Soleil. This is a picture of the ceiling of the theater at the end. Everything about the show is just beautiful!!

There’s a new ride in town called “The High Roller.” It’s Vegas’ version of a huge Ferris wheel, and I highly recommend it.

It takes 30 minutes to go all the way around, and you get beautiful views of the strip, the mountains, and all of Las Vegas really.

But of course you have to walk the strip, and I did.

One of my favorite things to do is to grab a burger at Mon Ami Gabi (in the Paris Hotel) across the street from the Bellagio. It’s great for watching all of the people go by, and catching the water show from the fountains at the Bellagio.

Vegas is famous for shows with top talent, and I went to Caesars to see Jerry Seinfeld. This isn’t a great pic, but the show was amazing. I laughed, and laughed and laughed.

Las Vegas! It is a one-of-a-kind place, and I’m glad I got the chance to live there, but at this point in my life I think three days does the trick  

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