Viva Las Vegas!
Las Vegas, city that is larger-than-life. First impressions - strange mix of fascination and revulsion. Everything appear so gaudy and cheesy. Neon lights, bright ads, cheap imitations. New York New York boasts a Manhattan skyline facade, while Paris has the Eiffel tower. The Venetian has Piazza San Marco and gondolas in canals. The Luxor has a pyramid and the Sphinx, whilst Treasure Island has a full sized pirate ship. Caesar’s Palace started it all with Roman columns.
It is an impressive display of what money can build. People marvel at it, but no matter how expensive the marble, or how detailed the art, there seems to be little meaning in admiring replicas of the originals. I stood at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, learning about how it came into being, how it came to symbolise the City of Light - and emerged with greater understanding. In Las Vegas, I admired a good replica, and went away with a hollow feeling.
In Downtown Las Vegas, the older casinos strive to keep themselves relevant. The newer attractions at the Strip has drawn most visitors away, and the smaller casinos are finding it difficult to stay afloat.
Nevertheless, it is very possible to remain entertained in this city. Singers, strippers, Imax movies, jazz bars, comedy clubs, amusement rides, mountains, skiing (Mt Charleston), lakes (Lake Mead), museums (Liberace anyone?) - this city has every conceivable form of entertainment. Even without gambling.
I’ve always found it difficult to understand how gambling can attract such a faithful clientele. How the masses can believe that they can beat the odds, knowing that as a whole, they won’t. Its plainly illogical, but still draws millions.
In a way, Las Vegas is the ultimate entertainment sponsored by the unnamed thousands who lose their wealth in search of a lucky break.