Viva Las Vegas?

Couldn't make it to the SIA conference out in Vegas last week,but it reminded me of this article I wrote regarding trips to Sin City

Viva Las Vegas?

Ask a fellow American where they would like to travel this year and I can almost guarantee that with little hesitation the word “Vegas!” will be rattled off.  Of all the world’s most beautiful travel destination why is it that Las Vegas is held in such high regard?  Perhaps it is because this international city of mystery whispers promises of the American dream—a place of opportunity where the poor can become rich—the land of milk & honey.  Hence, like so many before me, I decided to cash in my ticket to the big dance and find out for myself what the city of lights had to offer.

Saturday night in Vegas was dazzling as the oasis in the desert was truly alive.  Sidewalks were teaming with people shoulder to shoulder from across the world as everyone sought to take in the sights and sounds. From Caesar’s Palace to the MGM Grand, glitz and glamour was everywhere. And like a kid in a candy store I stood motionless peering down the strip, my eyes wandering from casino to casino—where do I begin?

No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than my buddies and I were off.  In a blaze of glory, accompanied by a never-ending supply of free alcohol, we were on fire as slot machines oozed out money, roulette wheels did our bidding, and the cards just seemed to keep coming our way.  From rare imported cars to gorgeous women, Vegas was the place to be, after all, where else can a guy ride the New York City skyline one minute and a gondola in Venice the next.  As I hung out the window of the stretch limousine in my three-piece suit, stars were in my eyes as the wind blew in my face.  At that very moment all I could think was, “What a life!” It all became clear why this great town made $8.5 billion in profit last year alone and hosted roughly 39.2 million visitors.

The next morning I awoke at 3 pm only to realize I had been kidnapped overnight.  As I peered out the window, I felt a shiver run up my spine as I gazed into the abyss—empty streets everywhere—not a single soul could be seen.  Had someone mistaken me for Jack Palance and dropped me into a cheesy, low-budget western?  But on this set tumbleweeds had been replaced with prostitution ads.  As this cowboy stepped into the street, Siegfried and Roy must have been doing a matinee because with a simple wave of the wand illegal immigrants were suddenly everywhere.  And every one of them was trying to offer me another porn flyer, as if the millions lining the streets hadn’t been enough.  The smell of urine and stale cigarette smoke laced the air and seemed to follow me everywhere I went.  Children, left to their own devices as their parents were sucked back into the casino, wandered aimlessly amongst bums and robot-enacting street vendors painted head to toe in silver.  Those gorgeous women changed before my very eyes as they suddenly acquired an orange-ish fake tan tint topped with an extra helping of silicone. We shouldn’t forget that this is the same town that promotes impetuous marriages at only $35 a pop, while at the same time allowing you to file for divorce for only $450?  Was this some sort of a bad dream? By night Sin City was a sexy town that was hip and happening, but by day she had me clicking my heels wishing for home.

So as the sunset on this western fairytale, and the 15,000 miles of lighted neon tubing that lined the strip began to radiate, what did I discover?  Well, with only 197,144 slot machines in the entire city and just over 39 million eager people looking to spend some quarters—you had better bring a little bottle of hand sanitizer.  But with arguably the world’s most entertaining shows, like Cirque Du Soleil, and mouth-watering buffet spreads that feature rare foods at a price no one can turn down, Vegas can be a great time.  Just don’t let your travel agent convince you to book a week-long stay—three days and two nights is plenty of time hit those highs and lows that will have you feeling like king of the world one minute to a measly pauper the next.  And never forget: what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas … not to mention whatever assets you take to Vegas will likely stay in Vegas.

by Francis Faillace