By Andrew W. Griffin

Red Dirt Report, editor

Posted: December 7, 2009

reddirtreporter@gmail.com

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Sin City. Yeah, yeah, I get it. Debauchery, gluttony, plenty of gambling and sexy, sexy ladies. And yes, “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” But what is this strange, glistening city of neon, steel and glass out in the forbidding desert of the American Southwest?

Well, plenty of other people far smarter than I have tackled that question. Plus, I was only in Las Vegas for a few days and didn’t venture very far from my hotel – the Paris – which was plenty for this Okie to absorb in the time allotted.

Visiting Las Vegas for part of a work trip, most of the time, as I noted, was in the Paris. But because there are other major hotels nearby – Bally’s, The Veneitan and the wonderful Bellagio – visiting the other hotels was easily accomplished.

The Paris features a terrific restaurant called Mon Amis Gabi. The porcini mushroom soup and the New York Strip Steak were delicious, as was the French red wine. It’s an intimate atmosphere and has a clear view of the exquisite fountains across the street.

If you can catch the act by magicians Penn and Teller at the Rio, it is highly recommended. From the transparent “cups and balls” trick to the trick where Penn Jillette uses a nail gun and starts shooting nails at various intervals between his body and a board. He has memorized the number of nails on the strip and is not injured, amazingly enough.

The most fascinating trick, however, was the one where the shoot a gun at each other – through glass – and incredibly catch the bullet with their teeth. It’s an incredible trick.

All the while, there is a pro-liberty, libertarian undercurrent to the show. A trick where they appear to burn an American flag features Penn – who does all the talking, of course – talking about freedom in America. He also shows off a small metal version of the Bill of Rights, that they sell at their booth, that you can put in your shirt pocket and have trigger the metal detector at the airport. Again, a Penn and Teller show is highly recommended.

Also, if you like Jimmy Buffett and cheeseburgers in paradise, the “Margaritaville” restaurant will be right up your alley. The food was tasty and the Landshark beer was decent. A traditional margarita is always a treat as well.

While this was a relatively quick visit, and my companion and I traveled very little beyond a few square blocks of the Paris, one got the impression there was much more to do if there had been more time.

Copyright 2009 West Marie Media