L.A & Las Vegas

Posted on Nov 20, 2007 in Exploring The World| 0 comments

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Been a while since I have last written so thought of a quick old fashion update with few photos in reverse chronological order.

just got back from a business trip in L.V and L.A straight to Melbourne racing carnival season.For those who do not live down under, Spring Carnival is not really about the horses, but more about the dresses, champagne and after parties. The culmination of carnival is the Melbourne cup (2 weeks time, A state holiday -))) ) and offers one of most lively atmosphere throughout the yearFirst major race took place in Caulfield which is only few minutes from my hood so we spent a gorgeous sunny morning (& noon :- )) ) in a traditional champagne celebration at my courtyard.

-Tom, Me, J and Gil -

- “Watching” the horse race -

- Umbrellas in Summer, Melbourne 2007 -

- T, J, G – After I had told them one of my jokes –

Week earlier my current company sent me off to do an oral presentation in Las Vegas so I find myself spending a week in West coast USA.Guess my first impression of Las Vegas was similar to that of other people: One BIG gigantic amusement park.And not only buildings are big… Cars looks like spaceships (anyone said Iraqi fuel war?) and people are not for from this description…HUGE. But more than all Las vegas is all about gambling and you can’t really avoid it! Hotels, Airport (?!), supermarkets (?!?!) and toilets (well not really, but here’s an idea!)

Every night (Or Day…) a large crowd of people, Old & young, gather mainly to press on buttons, hoping for the machines to puke coins on them…Each year They spend around 40 billion dollar only in L.V (More than the GDP of 38 African countries..)

- This in not New York… –

- And this is not Paris –

- Thanks for Jim (on left) who drew my attention to the fact that I played black Jack on a poker table… * I actually won this horrible golden necklace -

- A moment of love -

What really inspired me in Las Vegas was actually outside of Las Vegas and its untouched wild western nature. Magnificent!

Grand Canyon is 6 hours drive away so I had to be satisfied with the red canyon, Hoover dam and some scenery desert views.

- Speed limit: 35 miles/hour… Sure. -

- Hoover Dam – Imagination rules the world… –

Los Angeles was shining brightly along with blue skies when I arrived so didn’t waste much time and spent my days close to the beach in Santa Monica.Wide (and I mean wide) endless stretch of soft sandy beach was just perfect after dry Las Vegas. Los Angeles (& Santa Monica in particular) is really defined through contradiction and mixture. I have never imagined seeing so many homeless people in one of the most expensive areas in L.AAll in all L.A was a great experience, especially last day visit at Getty museum which is the wealthiest and one of the largest museums in the world with its amazing collections of ancient sculpture, photography, and paintings.

- Fun, St Monica, L.A -

- Fun (2) Venice Beach, L.A -

- Getty Trust, a six billion dollar museum (More than the GDP of….) -

That’s it; Next trip is to New Zealand in March where I plan to complete my very first Ironman so I guess I’ll write sooner this time.

Hope you are all well & healthy.

Mucho Love

Tal