Traveling in Style

You have no idea how much utter joy and amusement your article, “Viva, Uh, Laughlin!” (Traveling in Style, March 17) brought me. Sunday morning, I was padding around after my husband, saying, “Listen to this . . . “ and then proceeded to read a choice excerpt. I called friends and family, and told them to read it and on Monday morning, I told my colleagues that they had to read it. Not only was it informative, it was hilarious. You captured the essence of the place in wonderful detail.

PAT FROMME

Temple City

*

After reading “Viva, Uh, Laughlin!” this is what I think: Way cool Mary McNamara was assigned to write about Laughlin, and she and her “Steady” made a whining, boring trip out there. They saw a sunset, briefly glimpsed a sunrise, cast a sarcastic eye at the scene around them, ate at the most expensive restaurant and lost money in the slots. If you don’t like Laughlin, fine. I’m not a particularly big fan myself. But except for the trip to Oatman, which sounded interesting, McNamara could have saved herself a lot of aggravation and done most of this stuff at home. This is “Traveling in Style?”

Contrast that piece with “The Other Side of Paradise.” Tim Appelo filled his article with interesting facts and information and a true appreciation of whatever he found during his journey. It was written in such an engaging manner that I was left yearning to make a return trip to the unspoiled beauty of Molokai.

MARJORIE FLATHERS

San Bernardino

*

Mary McNamara says the Pioneer is the “corniest.” We have never stayed at a casino where the employees are as friendly and as cheerful. Granted, some of the rooms need upgrading, but the Pioneer still has the most fun Old-West-style casino in Laughlin.

CHARLES HASS

Westlake Village

*

How can anyone possibly write about Laughlin and not mention the Ramada Express? We just happened to stop in Laughlin, saw the Ramada Express across the street from the river hotels and decided it might be quieter there. I may sound like a travel brochure, but we stayed two nights and enjoyed every bit of it. To avoid crowded dining areas and buffet lines go to the Golden Nugget, which overlooks the river. The menu is extensive and reasonable.

NANCY ADAMS

Costa Mesa

*

Just loved Jack Holland’s article (“Berlin Without Walls”) about my birthplace, which I visited some years ago when the infamous wall was still in place. However Holland writes that “decaf is unheard of here,” which I do not believe is correct. Everywhere in Germany you can order Kaffee Hag--a decaf coffee in existence as long as I can remember. And to say “Kurfurstendamm Strasse” is incorrect. “Damm” means roadway, thus “Strasse” is redundant. This is but small matter in an otherwise extremely informative article.

HENRY BRUNELL

Chatsworth

*

If I had read “Berlin Without Walls” 25 years ago, before my first trip to that fascinating city, I might never have gone. Can you imagine someone visiting this most dynamic city and remembering, let alone mentioning, museums filled with plunder from the ancient world; degenerate and lascivious art; feminist-lesbian belly dancers; Lycra-clad women on Strasse des 17 Juni; Italian, Turkish, Russian, Czech, Polish and Egyptian food; a brothel turned restaurant--are you sure Mr. Holland didn’t visit Hollywood and fake the trip to Berlin?

JAMES T. HUMBERD

La Quinta

*

Having visited Egypt in February, I totally relate to Christopher Reynolds’ experiences (“Cairo’s Pyramid Scheme”). After several hours of walking around Tahrir Square and the streets of Cairo, I somehow escaped buying any perfume, but I have a pile of papyrus paintings (undoubtedly most are banana leaf) to show for my determination not to purchase anything. Those shop owners and their shills are really good. We also cruised down to Luxor and its magnificent monuments. I walked to Karnak Temple about noon and found it virtually deserted. It was almost a spiritual experience walking alone amid the huge columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall.

RALPH B. MILLER

Manhattan Beach