To be truthful, I fell in love with Las Vegas the first time I visited, in October, 2007. I never expected to love it. It’s a totally tacky, totally overdone, totally over the top place. But I do love Las Vegas — if nothing else, it’s never boring. So, when it came time to pick a place to vacation, Ed and I picked Las Vegas.
The concept of a vacation for a travel writer might seem odd. Don’t we travel all over? Isn’t that like a vacation? Well, no. It’s not like a vacation at all. It’s like a job that’s fun, but one that is also a lot of work. My time isn’t my own and I’m always taking notes, asking questions, thinking about the story I’m developing. Does that sound like a vacation? Not really.
So, here I am in Las Vegas, which reminds me of Times Square on steroids. And all the important monuments of the world seem to find their way here. Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, icons of Venice, Rome, in glittering lights.
And because I’m on vacation, I can do what I want. Like hanging out and watching the street entertainment.
I love the free entertainment. The shows are pricey and well, I like quirky. So, this evening we watched pirate ships attacking each other at Treasure Island. We walked along The Strip and in Carnival Court, between Harrah’s and the Imperial Palace we found artists creating unusual “visual art.”
Done with spray paint, the process is rapid fire fast and with rap music to provide the proper atmosphere. It was fascinating to watch and the results were surprising sophisticated and with a graffiti feel to it.
We don’t know what we’ll do tomorrow. Perhaps sit by the pool, read a book, and have a couple of drinks. We’re going to try to find some half-price tickets for a show. Lotus of Siam for dinner.
But that could change. We’re on vacation.
Tags: Las Vegas
Pig out at LOS. If you want great cheap mexican, try La Mexicana on Decatur and Twain, or Hash House (also on Decatur, just south of Sahara) for a midwest-style breakfast.
Couldn’t make it to Lotus of Siam (sigh), but had a really good time in Las Vegas anyway. Will definitely have to do it next time around!