I figured that if I'm going to be in the world center of a semi-major religion anyway, that I should at l
east give it a chance and see the temple/church/shrine whatever. I'm not a Catholic but I went to St. Peter's, I'm not a Shinto but I went to the Tokugawa Shrine, so it's only fair that I should go to the Mormon headquarters while in SLC. After being there for a couple of days, I think that I've realized that the LDS church is like the Vegas of religions. Everything is flashy, a little superficial and when you step back from it, you think "are they serious??" I don't mean to disrespect necessarily, I've met a few asshole Mormon's but honestly they would have probably been assholes LDS or not. Anyhow, as you walk into 'temple square' which is in the very center of SLC, you are greeted by a few very cute girls in the 18-22 y.o. range. The one was 'Sister Yates' the other was a little more exotic, 'Sister Yamashita' from Fukuoka Japan. Apparently those missionaries do get around, they don't just pester us. So anyway, they greeted me and offered a free tour. Why not? Free is good, free is always good. So they told me to come back to that spot in ten minutes because apparently they were given on the quarter hour. When I came back however, I was a little surprised to find that I was the only person taking this tour at that time hence I had two tour guides and no way to easily duck out. Oh well...
east give it a chance and see the temple/church/shrine whatever. I'm not a Catholic but I went to St. Peter's, I'm not a Shinto but I went to the Tokugawa Shrine, so it's only fair that I should go to the Mormon headquarters while in SLC. After being there for a couple of days, I think that I've realized that the LDS church is like the Vegas of religions. Everything is flashy, a little superficial and when you step back from it, you think "are they serious??" I don't mean to disrespect necessarily, I've met a few asshole Mormon's but honestly they would have probably been assholes LDS or not. Anyhow, as you walk into 'temple square' which is in the very center of SLC, you are greeted by a few very cute girls in the 18-22 y.o. range. The one was 'Sister Yates' the other was a little more exotic, 'Sister Yamashita' from Fukuoka Japan. Apparently those missionaries do get around, they don't just pester us. So anyway, they greeted me and offered a free tour. Why not? Free is good, free is always good. So they told me to come back to that spot in ten minutes because apparently they were given on the quarter hour. When I came back however, I was a little surprised to find that I was the only person taking this tour at that time hence I had two tour guides and no way to easily duck out. Oh well... Anyway, the tour was actually pretty interesting. Not that I'm about to become Mormon, far from it, but I did learn a few things and some things make a little more sense now. Turns out oddly enough that 'sister Yates'' dad owns the yellow cabs for all of Alexandria...small world. I did ask a lot of questions, and sometimes you could tell that they weren't used to answering semi-intelligent questions. I asked first of all why it was that all of the tour guides were young women, because we passed a few other tours and yup, all girls...cute girls at that. Apparently, so says sister Yates, they find that women impart the message better...right, whatever lets you sleep at night honey. The other question I asked might have bordered on offensive, but I honestly was curious. Apparently the Mormons believe that Jesus also showed himself to the Native Americans and healed their sick yada yada. So my obvious question (I thought it was obvious.) why didn't Jesus' teachings catch on in America? Well they didn't really have an answer, she said something about gaps in the teachings etc. but you could tell that she didn't really care for the question. Anyhow, at the end of the tour they sang a hymn as I was supposed to fill out a comment card with my info so that a missionary could bring a book of mormon to my house. I feel sorry for anyone who lives at 1875 Colefort Ct Fairfax, VA 22459 because they're getting a visit. I had to put something.
Anyway, after that I got my oil changed and the car washed and I was off to Nevada. The drive was actually really awesome. The terrain was similar to the plains yet every 20 miles 
or so I'd have to drive through a mountain pass seemingly out of nowhere. The time it took was just enough to listen to all of Slaughterhouse 5. Pretty good book, I think its probably good that I listened to it because I don't know if I would have followed it by reading.
or so I'd have to drive through a mountain pass seemingly out of nowhere. The time it took was just enough to listen to all of Slaughterhouse 5. Pretty good book, I think its probably good that I listened to it because I don't know if I would have followed it by reading. Finally, I 
got to Reno. I tell you what, there is nothing quite like a gambling town for a non-gambler. I'm currently staying on the 20th floor in a King room for 35 bucks, go me! I walked around the casinos and spent an hour playing video poker to break even. Finally, I enjoyed the biggest plate of spaghetti with meatballs and a Sam Adam's for five bucks, hazaa! Tomorrow, th general plan is to head through Lake Tahoe to Yosemite...hopefully the weather will cooperate.
got to Reno. I tell you what, there is nothing quite like a gambling town for a non-gambler. I'm currently staying on the 20th floor in a King room for 35 bucks, go me! I walked around the casinos and spent an hour playing video poker to break even. Finally, I enjoyed the biggest plate of spaghetti with meatballs and a Sam Adam's for five bucks, hazaa! Tomorrow, th general plan is to head through Lake Tahoe to Yosemite...hopefully the weather will cooperate. 
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