Splash in the International Fountain in Seattle, Washington

Recently my blog as been all, "Vegas, Vegas, Vegas... yadda, yadda, yadda," which is not bad if you love Vegas, but I will admit, the theme is getting repetitive. So forgive me if I make one last Vegas reference of 2012 and tell you that I LOVE the fountains at the Bellagio. The casino puts on one heck of a show, which I appreciate immensely after watching a documentary about the mechanics and computer technology that goes behind the production of the water show. There is nothing like watching the water literally dance in time to the music, and it always ends with a big, cannon-like boom, water shooting miles into the sky.

What I Learned in Vegas (This Time Around)

Does Vegas ever get old? If you are like me, the answer is a resounding, "No!" Vegas seems to get better with every visit - once the initial electric shock wears off, you can relax and enjoy what the city has to offer at a less 'touristy' pace.

Or so it was with me last week when I went to Las Vegas, Nevada for the National Conference of Teachers of English. Of course, I showed up in town with grand plans to drive up to Antelope Canyon, or Area 51, or even just go for a hike in Red Rock Canyon. I always show up with big travel plans.

Paris Street Food: Decadent Crepes

One of the biggest "musts" while traveling is to sample the wide variety of tasty street foods a culture has to offer. Every nation has a specific palette of spices, smells, textures, and presentations - as a visitor, it is your obligation to try to experience at least some of these. At least, this is my opinion as a person who loves both travel and eating.

Stereotypically, street food comes on sticks or on paper plates. But the city of Paris does street food with more class and pizzazz, or so it seems!

Experience Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in Las Vegas

Some people hate wax museums - a few of my friends insist that they are creepy, dorky, or a bit of both. To these people I say, "Lighten up!" Wax museums are tons of fun - you just have to suspend reality for a moment and be willing to think up brilliant and hilarious scenarios for your dorky / creepy photographs! There's not a lot of instructions or helpful tips to be shared about visiting Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in Las Vegas, so this post will mostly be a 'photo-essay'.