Salt Lake City

I start writing these lines 30,000+ feet above the ground, on my way from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas. Wireless signal in the motel I stayed in in Salt Lake City was very weak. I hope to be posting this entry in Las Vegas.

I arrived in Salt Lake City quite late yesterday, as my flight was delayed by more than two hours. The opening act (wonderful Jesca Hoop) started at 7:30pm, and I arrived at my hotel on 7:20pm; changed quickly and took a ride to the Abravanel Hall which was really close to where I stayed.

Yesterday’s show (in Abravanel Hall) was fantastic. Sitting in the middle of the front row (seat 6), the stage less than 1 meter from me (and Mark Knopfler not that far, either), I was witnessing a truly amazing event. The crowd was mainly adult couples, 40+, however I’ve seen some younger crowd as well. The venue is rather impressive; perfect lighting makes this venue a sweet place to be in, and the sound—oh, the sound!—is really impressive.

Shortly before Mark Knopfler’s show started, I met Linda, who contacted me through the Mark Knopfler’s fan forum. Linda has flown from Los Angeles with her son to see the show in Salt Lake City. What a nice, talkative, beautiful woman! We talked for about 20 minutes (during the intermission between the opening act and the main event).

Then the concert started, and man was it good! The band, nonchalant as always, gave us a show to remember, with a set list similar to (but not the same as) the one from the Denver show. It was really amazing to see 40–50 years old people jumping from their chairs in appreciation to such a fantastic experience.

I took some photos during the show, I will post them later. Really good pictures, too; considering the fact that, in order to not distract others (I am, after all, from Canada), I took them all from a seating position.

After the concert, I grabbed a bite in the Radisson Hotel’s restaurant as well as some local beer (“Hard Rock” or something) which was really good.

When I asked people before how Salt Lake City is, they responded in one word: “Clean”. It is indeed a very clean city. Other than that, the people are great and it appears that there’s much to explore in the area. I definitely see myself taking a trip to Salt Lake City and, of course, the nearby Rocky Mountains.

Now I’m already at the Las Vegas Airport’s baggage claim, waiting for 45 minutes already for the baggage to arrive. The carousel hasn’t started moving yet! For a city that makes billions every year from tourism, I expected a better baggage claim area. Hopefully, soon enough I’ll be out of here on my way to the Stratosphere Tower Hotel & Casino, where I’m going to spend the night.

So long everybody, see you soon!

Isaac