Vegas, Baby

Americans say that you go to Vegas to try a new, different life. Or to reveal your alter ego. Usually the “darker” one. Everything in the city encourages you to do so. And the crowd will rather not care.

 

The Strip

Vegas is designed to make you feel… satisfied. On the Strip you can visit all sorts of casinos imitating the most famous places on the earth. Ancient Rome? Go to “Caesar”! More of Italy? “Venice!” Modern architecture? “Paris!” Or maybe “New York?” Hmm… And see the pyramids on the way, the ones close to “Walt Disney”!  Too many choices… You have to create your own key when visiting the Strip. “Sightseeing” can be hard here.

Casino, imitation of Venice 

Casino, imitation of Venice

 

Maybe let’s pick up casinos with the cheap alcohol. Still, not enough to select. Many locals encourage you to walk in setting 1$ for margerita or 2$ for corona… Then start playing. Drinking. Playing. Gamble, gamble, gamble… Automats are everywhere, even in pubs which don’t serve as casinos.

Food is also cheap. Well, if you don’t go to Joël Robuchon. Some restaurants offer you discounts if you sign in as a member of the casino which houses the restaurant. Buffets are also quite common. Vegas may be inexpensive if you don’t let your desires to lead you.

Which could be challenging.

This city has something in common with New York. And it is not only the fake Statue of Liberty, nor the fake Brooklyn Bridge. It is the energy brought by the crowd on the street. The crowd which doesn’t fall asleep. You don’t even feel the need to close your eyes since everything in Vegas keeps you awake. The night here looks like a day. Neons are everywhere. In some casinos the ceiling has a color of blue, daily sky, with white, fluffy clouds. It imitates the light so perfectly that a watch on your hand is the only hint on time.

 

The Freemont Street

New temptations are luring you at every corner. Leaflets with promotions, discounts or events for free are on the streets if not handed by some folks when strolling. Sometimes your relaxed spirit can be interrupted by homeless. Well, Vegas is a warm place and rather dry. Therefore good to live if you don’t have a roof over your head.

-          Do you have 2$?

-          No, sorry.

-          How about 20$? 

Well, they also count on losing your common sense. 

Vegas is a place of illusion. You can visit all famous cities of the world on the Strip. You can walk in a hotel-casino with your own cheap drink, sit in a cozy sofa by the swimming pool surrounded by palm trees and nice decorations. On the Freemont Street you can shoot a professional video with yourself as a main character. You can get married the same night you decide you want to. This is for real. Just pick up the best option in one of the drive-thru chapels. “I do, do you?”, “Limo Lovers Lip Lockers Special”, “Cherbus Chariot”. The last one includes a video and presentation of the flowers! From 60$ to 100$ only. In case you don’t like it next morning there are plenty of lawyers’ offices nearby which can help solve your last-night-problems.

When we arrived to Vegas the first thing we heard from one of our hosts was: “OK, guys, I can hang out with you only if you don’t plan going to the Strip.” Other fellows weren’t interested in going out at all, not to mention getting together on the Strip. They stayed at home, watching “House” and other following series.

They said rather with disappointment than with happiness that in Vegas the only thing you can do is to lay by a swimming pool during the day or visit casinos – by night. But there was something they forgot about and what we discovered thanks to our other local friends. Red Rock Canyon. It is about 10 minutes drive from the west side of Vegas. This place is more virgin than the Grand Canyon, less touristy. You must have a good sense of direction if you want to hike there. Also it seems to be quite risky since it is inhabited by tarantulas – to mention only one dangerous kind. But climbing there is definitely worth it! The view from the pick... Vegas by day. From a place untouched by a human being. So close to it. The only man’s trails lead you to historical settlements of Native Americans who used to live here long time ago. Take a deep breath before heading back to Sin City. 

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon, view on Las Vegas

If you are not local, Vegas can be tiring… The second night we were strolling till 5 o’clock, wishing to visit the modern part of the Strip. “Cosmopolitan” – a glamorous place, with chandeliers blinding you due to the affluence. Art, good cuisine, expensive boutiques, beautiful young Asian girls serving game tables. Nobody will charge you by the entrance. They don’t control the visitors. Therefore inside you can see folks from different worlds. Some elderly drunk ladies gambling with determination till the dawn. Young girls, wearing heavy make up and short skirts. Older guys throwing them something so they bend down. Sometimes they conduct more complicated operations. “Life is tiring here, especially when you are a single.” – said a guy we met on the way to our car. He had come to Vegas from Vancouver for a conference. David. Now hardly walking. “Would you like to visit me? We will have some coffee.” 5 o’clock in the morning. Time to get some rest, baby... The show is over. The artificial lights and lasers imitating daily sky are not in use anymore. For now.