Vegas

 Vegas was never supposed to be a major stop on our trip to the western realm but the more we planned the more we knew that Las Vegas would be our home airport. As long as we were here we decided to take the day to look around and recover from jet lag before going to our next destination. We took full advantage of the opportunities to see the grand spaces and enjoy the Luxor and other amazing hotels.

We had a discussion on one of our Uber treks about how sometimes the people you were with will have a completely different idea about how and what you should do (on a trip or anything really). We talked about compromise, and giving of ourselves sometimes. We discussed how it will sometimes be the other way around, and that you will be the Beneficiary of someone else’s compromise. 

Today I think I was the beneficiary of others’ compromise. You see about 15 or so years ago Megan and I went on a three day excursion to Las Vegas. We had each chosen things we wanted to do and see. Topping my list was an exhibit about King Tut at the Luxor. We arrived only to find that had begun tearing the exhibit down the day before. I was disappointed, but we still had a great trip. Once Megan chose the Luxor to be our hotel in Las Vegas I checked it out online, and I was elated to find that the exhibit was back, new and better.

We only had enough time and money to go to one exhibit, and there were three in the Luxor at this time. The body (which no one wanted to see), the Titanic (which everyone wanted to see), and the King Tut exhibit. All of the girls acted as if they were very interested in the King Tut exhibit although I knew they were compromising, I was happy to take them up on the offer. Finally I would have my dreams fulfilled. Megan did other more interesting things but the rest of us were off.

This is a replica of the actual outer sarcophagus. It is huge and pure gold.

He was buried with his car!

There is gold everywhere.

The layers of the sarcophagus.

One of the criticisms that I read often of this exhibit was that they did not have any real artifacts, and that everything was a replica. Unless I am mistaken, it is no longer legal to have artifacts from ancient Egypt, unless it is formally on loan  from them. Recently, a new museum was built in Cairo, and all of the parts of king Tut’s tomb have been called together after being displayed in several different museums. So, when it was all said and done, I thought it was a good representation and was informative. It wasn’t all that I hoped it would be, but I was happy to have seen the exhibit – finally.

Next, we did lunch, and the girls rested in their own ways.

Next, we did some sightseeing. First we went to the Bellagio. This beautiful glass work on the ceiling was made by a artist in North Carolina. It is in the main lobby.

The conservatory

The world’s largest chocolate fountain

Then to the Venetian. Notice all the artwork on the ceiling and the beautiful views.

Next, we went to a pizza place that Olivia found online. Everyone else was about to find the end of their energy, so Olivia was the only one who really participated in the games and rides.

The plan was to close out the day at Fremont Street. But, by this time of the day, everyone was done. We went to Fremont Street but all of the people and all of the lights even the lighted canopy overhead were sensory overload, and everyone was ready to go back to the Luxor.

All of that is OK, Vegas was good to us, and we were able to get rested for tomorrow.