After
gambling, quickie weddings and legal prostitution, the thing
Vegas is best known for is neon, glitz and over-the-top, more-is-more,
nouveau-rich uber-glamour.
The
Luxor's pyramid. Jennifer and I could see the light that
comes out of its apex before we even crossed the state line.
She said she'd recently heard or read it's visible from
space. I don't doubt that.
![Mirrors all around the Stratosphere elevator made endless Ericas and Jennifers](/goes_to/vegas/neon/luxor_night.jpg)
The
Excalibur
![Excalibur at night](/goes_to/vegas/neon/excalibur_night.jpg)
The
hourly Carnival/Mardis Gras show at the Rio...the glitz comes
indoors.
![The Rio's Carnival show](/goes_to/vegas/neon/rio_show.jpg)
The
roller coaster atop the Stratosphere, as seen from the outside
observation deck, just below it.
![Roller coaster atop the Stratosphere at night](/goes_to/vegas/neon/strat_coaster.jpg)
What
struck me from the first visit to Vegas I remember was that
even the 7-11 shimmers in the night.
![Shimmering 7-11 on The Strip](/goes_to/vegas/neon/7_11.jpg)
In
contrast, the residential neighborhoods are conspicuous by their
relative darkness.
![Residential areas are oddly dark in Vegas](/goes_to/vegas/neon/strat_residential.jpg)