A&O Meet-up in "Sin City" Las Vegas

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Ernest Disney-Britton

Edith Piczek represents Guardian Angels

NEVADA---Nothing is as renewing as being in sacred space, and Las Vegas is filled with renewing sparkle and sacred spaces. All you have to do is to open your eyes, and see with your heart.  Last week, the A&O Road Runners returned to Las Vegas where we flew like Angels from atop the 109-story Stratosphere Hotel; ate sweet things in the land of Serendipity adjacent to a Hindu Shrine; delighted in the audacity of Cirque du Soleil; joked with Donny & Marie about Mormon's who drink (water); dined at Onda, which I am sure is a favorite of Italian Catholics; walked the path of old west searing beauty through the Red Rock Canyon; and worshiped at my favorite destination in the city...The Guardian Angel Cathedral. Sin City or Soul City, every city is what you bring to it.

Guardian Angel Cathedral. Courtesy of Mike L Blog.

During Mass on Sunday at the Guardian Angel Cathedral, I went in search of "the fabled stained glass there depicting the casinos which helped sponsor the building project." I didn't see it, but I understand that it is tucked away in the south east window to the right of the altar behind a large fiberglass resin cast angel, in an area cordoned off with signs advertising that entry into the sanctuary was prohibited.

Stained glass window in the Guardian Angel Cathedral, Las Vegas, Nevada

For lunch, on one afternoon, we enjoyed the pink delights of sweets on Las Vegas Blvd, and make a stop outside to the Hindu shrine nestled in the Roman Plaza behind Serendipity 3. There are benches for contemplation and incense offerings, and it is a place of absolute calm and beauty. It is called the "Erawan Shrine" and that name is attributable to the original shrine located in Thailand. Both shrines house a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god, Brahma.

Ernest standing by the Hindu Shrine

Black Forest Sundae at Serendipity

We also enjoyed a moment of insanity as we glided high above the city atop the Stratosphere Hotel (below). In my mind, I prepared myself for the moment by imagining myself as a Angel soaring high about the city with no hint of doubt that God would let me fall. It worked for a while, but doubt has a way of creeping inside after a bit, but I am grateful for the experience. The ride is appropriately called, "Insanity."

"Insanity" at the Stratosphere Hotel

We splurged on two Vegas shows: "ZUMANITY" which took our breath-away; and Donnie and Marie Osmond which took us back to our perfect childhoods. Zumanity is pretty bawdy by traditionalist standards but at its heart it is a celebration of the gift of love.  We sat in the front-row couches and have never laughed as hard, or enjoyed ourselves as much. The Osmond show on the other hand, well, it was pure Donnie & Marie, and we loved it.

Production poster for the show at NY NY Hotel & Casino

Donnie & Marie at the Flamingo

The drive out to nature's sacred space of Red Rock Canyon was a trip to one of the world's most beautiful natural spaces. Located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159.  The area is nearly 200,000 acres of spectacular desert colors including the bring bloody red. In marked contrast to a town geared to entertainment, Red Rock offers enticements of the great out-doors .

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Greg at the overlook at a Red Rock Canyon

Our hotel, the Paris was beautiful and our room (#1470) had a small sketch inside of a cathedral which I took as a divine sign. But in the end, my most perfect moments were spent at Guardian Angel Cathedral where I left transformed to become a better me; renewed to have a path for doing it; and inspired about the year ahead as I awaited my return once again next May 2014.

Standing in the front of our hotel, PARIS

Guardian Angel Cathedral - Photographer: David Horan, 2011

Edith Piczek represents a host of Guardian Angels