Vegas is up there with the most ridiculous places I've ever been (and I've been to Canberra, twice). It's a town that solely exists for the tourist trade. Theres no other possible reason for having a city in the middle of a windy, hot desert, full of strippers and casinos.
The good
The best things about Vegas in my opinion are:
1. The accommodation is cheap, and well appointed.
Our outrageous suite at the MGM was about $100/night and included such features as a toilet phone (that's a phone located near the toilet, not whatever you're thinking of), bathroom TV, jacuzzi, lounge, king bed and balcony with view of the strip.
2. There is something for everyone. Whatever you're into entertainment-wise you'll be able to find it. No, not that. I mean shows, rollercoasters, exhibitions, etc.
3. The 'scenery'
There are shiny things to look at everywhere you go. Casino foyers you walk into and go 'woooowww'. Neon lights of ludicrous proportion. Ladies wearing dresses that are at least 2 sizes to small, which you didn't look at because you're engaged and therefore busy keeping your eyes to yourself, but if they happen to walk right in front of your eyeballs well then it couldn't be helped.
4. Boyz II Men
Simply exquisite. If you get the chance, do see them.
The bad
1. The fake-ness.
Everything has that fake, tacky feel about it that can only come about in a place that is completely, unashamedly geared towards tourists. Worse still, American tourists.
2. Getting around
Be mindful of the distances in this city. That casino that looks like its 'just over there' from your balcony is probably a 15 minute cab ride away, which means walking there in the 47 degree heat (or 1240 degrees Fahrenheit) is out of the question.
BTW, taking a cab is another adventure in itself. Be ready for everyone from 'silent man' to 'overly aggressive New Yorker', to 'Grumpy compulsive whinger'.
3. Tipping
How the hell does tipping work? If anyone figures it out, please let me know. You're supposed to tip everyone from the guy that held the door open to the guy that smiled at you slightly when you walked out of that same door. I tipped some people that brought me food and parked my car. Job done.
4. Woo guys
You've heard of 'Woo girls' - its those chicks that are out without their partners for the first time in 8 months. Maybe it's a hens night, maybe a birthday, whatever. When in a large group, excited and with 1.5 drinks under their belts, they make this unimaginable high pitched noise like "woooooooo!".
Yeah well Vegas is full of the male equivalent. Groups of 3-6 dudes. They've got a few drinks in them, they are in Vegas for the first time, unsupervised, and feel the need to go " woooooooo!" and give sloppy, uncoordinated high 5's all round every time one of them wins a $5 blackjack hand.
5. Being hassled on the strip
The minute you dare to walk outside a casino, be ready to be hassled by people trying to hand you the business cards of strippers and put you in a limo to take you to said strippers.
Top Tip: Fiona and I soon figured out that holding hands reduced the number of offers we received by about 50%. The other half presumably thought we were into some weird stuff.
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