As we were talking about some of the world-famous shows that were being held in various hotels in Las Vegas, our son did not want us to miss any experience. My second son was still in university and had joined us for this trip. Bookings have to be made well in advance, and there was little or no chance of getting tickets on current booking. Two shows that had interested us were the 'O' Show and the 'Blue Men Group.' Including our daughter-in-law, we were five. Weren’t we lucky when we got five tickets for the Blue Men show? And nearer the middle of the hall. The auditoriums are huge, really huge. The Blue Men is a musical troupe with some innovations and were Grammy Award nominees. Mind-boggling music. With a little bit of comedy thrown in. Apart from the music, two other unique events in the show were the live screening of a colonoscopy and the rolls of tissue papers that had to be passed from the first row to the last as the paper kept on coming out of the roll. The entire auditorium was full of such tissue papers. In a strange, unfathomable way, this experience was exhilarating. We were told that these are recycled paper and there is no unnecessary wastage. After the show, one of the Blue Men Group was standing outside, where whoever wanted could take pictures with him. These men have their entire bodies painted blue. Out of the blue, we got tickets for this Blue Men Show, which was one of the highlights of our visit.

MGM had their hotel where there were lions, which we could see through a glass ceiling from below. At regular intervals, an attendant feeds the lions, which we can see through this glass ceiling. Lions above us on a glass ceiling? A wee bit scary.

These were the days when my mind had yet to get obsessed with eating only in vegetarian restaurants. So we managed. I stuck to bagels and maybe vegetarian pizzas. There was an Indian vegetarian restaurant—I think 'Gandhi' was the name—where we could find something to suit our taste buds.

In the Venetian Hotel, there is a gondola ride on a canal. I believe many couples get married here, one of the famous ones being Agassi and Graf.

Have you heard of oxygen being sold in bottled containers? We saw them here. Another common event we have seen in a few places we visited is the human statues. I have no idea what they are called. Persons, mostly women with painted faces, stand like a statue in an appointed place without moving even the eyeballs. People put money in the basket or whatever is placed at their feet. The way the statue-person picks up the money—the only time they move—is so funny. Is this a talent show? Or seeking of alms? But imagine the pain they must be undergoing to remain so still. I did feel a lot of pity for these people.

There must be quite a few things more that I have forgotten to narrate. Let that remain.

Having retained the car, we were to drive to Los Angeles. Another exotic place.

But what about Las Vegas?

Continued in 253. Lost Way Guys - Part 6