Las Vegas, Nevada and Juarez, Mexico - 1973.

Juarez, Mexico.

The Landmark Hotel can be seen in the distance. 

The Landmark Hotel.

Las Vegas airport.

The airport.

Las Vegas Nevada August of 1973 I travelled from Lethbridge, Alberta to Las Vegas on a Greyhound bus. All I could think about was my boyfriend and our time together. I did enjoy the scenery in Montana and Idaho, although I would be happier if I could share this experience with the true love of my life.

I parked my Air Canada bag at the El Cortez Hotel on the Strip. Then I took photos of the Flamingo Hotel, Caesars Palace, a hotel under construction called the MGM Grand and a wedding chapel. I met a taxi driver originally from Portugal, his name is Jean-Paul, and he offered to show me all the sights in and around Vegas, including the nightclubs and the desert where people who don't pay their gambling debts are buried.

Jean-Paul was born in May of 1950, and he drove us to a beautiful disco where we played songs on the jukebox by Diana Ross, Archie Bell and the Drells (Tighten Up) and Carole King. Jean-Paul told me he met Ann-Margret, Elvis, Sammy Davis Jr., Jerry Lewis, Wayne Newton and Sonny and Cher. He said he would take me to Wayne Newton's ranch, where he raises Arabian horses. Jean-Paul and I visited the Landmark Hotel, which is owned by the famous producer and inventor Howard Hughes. In the lounge a friend told him (referring to me) "She's a beautiful girl, you're a lucky man." We had a gorgeous meal of breaded cutlets, shrimp cocktails, soup, rolls, salad, green beans, olives, strawberries and shortcake. I felt a bit uncomfortable, wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt instead of a maxi-dress like all the other women. But Jean-Paul said that many rich people including Howard Hughes, dress down because they do not want to be kidnapped. For all they knew, I could be the daughter of a Greek shipping magnate.

The Irish Gentlemen provided the musical talent and they wore matching red velvet tuxedos. Then we travelled to Jean-Paul's tiny house on the outskirts of the city, and he played the album "Aftermath" by the Rolling Stones. I sent my boyfriend a postcard so that he will believe that I'm truly in Vegas.

Jean-Paul said he dated Wayne Newton's sister, and she looked a lot like me---blonde and beautiful.