Many a word has been spoken about Vegas and many an image cast, but until you go and sample it for yourself no words can do it justice.
Here are ten things that really summed up this special city
for me.
The stripScores of neon lights illuminate the stretch that features the majority of the city’s major hotels. Any Google search will show the strip to be one of the most iconic images of the city and just a walk down this metropolis is essential for any visitor and the many bridges across the road offer stunning views for any aspiring photographer.
The people
Having never previously visited the States I didn’t really
know what to expect of the people. A popular conception of Yanks here in the UK
is that they are loud, boisterous and arrogant. I would like to rewrite the
rule book here.
Yes, some Americans are loud, especially after a last minute
field goal or big win on the roulette table, but they are no worse than many
Brits on tour.
American people are amongst the friendliest people that I have
ever met. Attentative to all your customer needs and very open and
approachable, such as the friendly roulette dealer we met with whom we put the
world to rights over a few spins of the wheel.Once they find out that you’re English then you are certainly onto a winner. Americans seem mesmerized by the English accent and this resulted in two kind fellows buying all seven of us a round of beers.
Fancy dress seems not to have caught on in the States quite
as well as it has here in the UK. Two of our nights out were in fancy dress, an
Olympic theme night and a pink night and I kid you not, that is the closest I
have ever felt to being a celebrity. Dozens of other revellers approached us to
have photos taken with us and join the party spirit.
The hotels
Now I’ve stayed in some nice hotels before but I had never
seen anything like the hotels of the Las Vegas strip before. Each one is in
competition with the last as to who can be the most extravagant and elaborate.
Every hotel features an extensive casino, various
restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shops and often a unique and spectacular selling
point that adds to the overall Vegas experience.
The water fountains at the Bellagio, the Eiffel Tower at the
Paris, the light that shoots out of the Luxor that can apparently be seen from
space and the Gondolas at the Venitian are all essential viewings, especially
at night when they become lit up and glow in the clear night sky.
Freemont Street
Essentially old Vegas where it all began, Freemont is a hive
of activity, especially when we visited one Saturday night. Featuring a zip-line
that runs the length of the street, numerous bands perform on several purpose-built
stages, as well as mime artists and street performers doing their thing. Getting
a taxi away from the strip for at least one night is an absolutely must!
The food
I enjoy going out and sitting down for a good feed. I like
to think that I make a good attempt to finish whatever is put in front of me
and more often than not I succeed in my aim.
However eating in the US is a whole different matter.
I enjoyed mammoth ribs, luscious pork and numerous other
fantastic meals during my time in Vegas and a side order can come as a meal in
itself. When ordering a side of onion rings I was confronted by around ten
rings the size of Yorkshire Puddings, and all this often served by beautiful
waitresses. God, I love Vegas!
The Grand Canyon and
surrounding lands
Although not even in the same state as Vegas, the Grand
Canyon both can and should be visited in a day during a stay in the city.
The drive itself is fascinating. The impressive Hoover Dam
is located conveniently on the route and definitely worth a stop off.
After this you continue into what is effectively the middle
of nowhere. Long stretches of road, little signs of life, expansive desert and the
odd ghost town all make intriguing window gazing and give an indication of just
how big and vast America is geographically.
Before you reach the Grand Canyon, you travel through a town
called Dolan Springs. We barely saw a soul and the houses look mostly derelict.
A little further research shows that 25% of the town’s residents live under the
poverty line and many more have left altogether in the search of work.
On to the Grand Canyon and three hour trekking through the
desert is worth it in every single way. Spectacular doesn’t even come close to describing
this area and I would insist on any visitor paying the little extra and taking
the helicopter over the canyon, as this is the only real way to grasp the sheer
magnificence of it.
The service
Hot waitresses, lots of food, free refills. Say no more.
The shopping
Although not normally one for shopping, doing so in Vegas
was a completely different kettle of fish for me.
The city pretty much hosts a shop or boutique of near enough
every leading brand and product imaginable, all at cheaper prices than you
would find here in the UK.
The nightlife
Although really feeling it now, I am so glad that I
soldiered through and went out every night.
The city really does never sleep with many bars open around
the clock.
Even if you’re not a fan, it is well worth a visit to a bar
showing NFL. The passion that it generates is magnificent and you can’t help
but be absorbed into the atmosphere. I previously had no time for it whatsoever
but am now a convert due to the fans and the players’ explosive play.
Karaoke is also prominent and live bands work the crowd at
various locations around the city, many of the casinos and bars also feature
table dancers in case you are short of any eye candy, which in Vegas is highly
unlikely.
Ferguson the bumAny homeless gentleman who can be found passed out alongside a bottle of vodka in the middle of the afternoon, and next sighted 12 hours later calling a policeman a ‘fucking retard’ deserves a special mention.
