Caesar's Palace

Caesar's Palace was an all day experience. We spent most of our time in a section called "The Forum Shops". Basically its a giant shopping mall attached to the hotel/casino. There are very upscale shops that most "normal" people can't afford to shop at unless they've won that fabled jackpot on one of the slot machines. I enjoyed the place because of the decor. You have to admire a place that uses reproductions of life size nude male statuary as decorative items. The only other place you might see this many artistically beautiful nude male figures is in Rome itself or backstage at a modern-day body-building contest. Since its not likely I'll visit either of those locations in the near future this served as a reasonable substitute. So, I appropriately got busy with my camera.

Don't judge me too quickly. I did more than just gawk at the hunky statues. We spent quite a while playing in the three story FAO Schwartz store. I was soundly defeated a couple of times playing air hockey. I would be scolded by my opponent if I were to leave out that detail. And, on the top floor of the store we found a giant keyboard like the one from the Tom Hanks movie "Big". There were a few amateurs goofing around with the thing. But, being a true piano player I decided to prove that what Hanks did in the movie wasn't just possible for movie stars. I located G and F and proceeded to play Chopsticks with my feet. I hit a few clunkers but after a couple of tries I made it through the whole tune. I attracted a tiny little audience and got just a smattering of applause when I finished. I felt good about the performance. Yes, I have pictures to prove I did it. But, you'll never see them here. After seeing my pasty legs sticking out from under my old man shorts and my flabby belly bouncing to the beat, I decided that's not appropriate material for public consumption.

That afternoon we ate at a Cheesecake Factory restaurant. I had never eaten at one before. The meal was great. I also began my Las Vegas relationship with a drink called a "Mojito." I had two with dinner. I think I had two the next night also. I've had mojitos before but it was always a bottled mix with rum stirred in. In a city that takes bar tending very seriously the mojitos are a religious experience. In Vegas they're made with handfuls of real crushed mint, fresh squeezed lime juice and cane syrup. I had a couple that actually had sugar cane sticks in them as stirrers. My Vegas vacation is over now but I'm sure I'll continue my affair with the mojito if I ever meet a good one around here.