Las Vegas, NV
Vegas was another trip I was fortunate to take through work - Strategies in Light 2019 (if you’re interested in hearing about that half, check out my posting in “Proof That I Do Stuff”). The info below really only applies to the Strip, as it’s the only area I was able to experience.
I’ll start off by saying this: I 100% didn’t expect to fall in love with Las Vegas. I’ve always been someone to enjoy nature and the history and art and culture. And yet. Here we are. I’d book a flight back next weekend if I could. It’s a world within a world where you can, for a small time, forget about reality. It’s like a giant morally-questionable DisneyWorld for adults.
Unlike most cities, the Vegas airport is incredibly close to the action. It honestly may as well just be on the strip. From the moment you touch down, you’re there. I exited the plane to a sea of slots on the terminal floor… they weren’t wasting any time.
For anyone who has been, I’m sure you can testify to the eerie falseness of it all - a kind of creepy yet strangely charming aspect of the city (or the strip at least). The New York skyline, Eiffel tower, and giant pyramid aside, it’s the small touches that really bring the it all together:
“Check that out, I think that’s the first patch of grass I’ve seen… oh, it’s turf”
“Wow, look at this beautiful outdoor mall/plaza… oh, I’m still inside Caesars?”
We stayed at the Mandalay Bay (our conference was being held in their convention center) - my days were spent there learning all about the LED industry; about what’s new and what’s getting old. My nights though were spent in the typical Las Vegas fashion - with friends out and about, hopping from casino to casino. It’s incredible how long you can spend inside of a casino… these oxygenated, windowless establishments that makeup the spine of Vegas. It was amazing how five hours could pass in what felt like one. Thank the lord I don’t have an addictive personality… because I’d be toast otherwise.
We were only there for three days, but by the end of the trip, the long days and long nights made for what felt like a week. People are right when they say you don’t need much more than a weekend in Vegas… whether that be for your health or wallet.
