Vegas, the capital of second chances, the original Sin City and the gambling capital completely swept me off my feet, I loved the energy that the city has, so much so that it even daunted me for its pace.
The actual journey started with VISA application process, lot to do with documentation submissions and personal interview at USA embassy, it was indeed a time consuming process, and believe me every paper is important and the embassy knows about you much before you are standing in front of them (CIBIL, Income Tax details) . But yes, for me it was 10years VISA and that embarked by journey till Los Angeles.
Excitement seldom neglects some things which we need to keep in mind while travelling long distances, particularly important pointers like daily expenses, phone/internet connectivity, Jet lag, Mediterranean climate and especially connecting back with everyone at home forgetting the opposite time zones.
To reach Vegas my connect in USA was LAX airport, The touch down at LAX was no more a big surprise to find a well-crafted urban space with high rise towers and a far sight of HOLLYWOOD LOGO on the Santa Monica Mountains. A typical concrete well organized city just to observe a daily fast working life like ours and well managed traffic similar to some metros in INDIA. Nothing of great excitement but just a pleasure in seeing the entertainment capital of USA with Hollywood, Dolby Studio (venue of academy/gammy awards), Walk of fame, Universal Studio, Beverly Hills to name a few.
My journey started from Norwalk, a suburb town of LA to Vegas extending a journey of 450kms, but I knew that @100km/hr I would reach there in 4.5 hours unlike INDIA. Cruising at a fantastic speed passing Mojave National Preserve, I started realizing the US is no more a bigger fancy but a vast desert to see a man-made Eternity somewhere far off. This stretch made me experience a different scenic beauty, supercharged vehicles with changing weather conditions—cloud burst. I was finally able to see the SIN CITY with its landmarks of casino’s, signboards, and rides — whiskey Pete’s hotels and casinos.
Las Vegas Strip popularly known for its concentration of hotels and casino stretches around 6.5km with famous hotels to see visibly like Mandala Bay, Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, Pyramid shaped—Luxor and the Venetian to name a few behind the Vegas famous casinos and dancing fountains. It’s the 3rd leading destination in USA for conventions, business and meetings. Global leader of hospitality industry. Vegas, the official Sin City for the world, is famous for everything they tell you is bad- Numerous Adult attractions, Gambling and betting, Lust, Prostitution, Alcoholic beverages, Organized crimes, you name it, they have it!
My camera won’t stop…shooting every place I went to. The place has its own charm. Scenic places include the strip indicating the shoot done at four square of the strip,The Freemont Street Experience for lighting extravaganza, the Grand Bellagio famous fountains, New York Hotel and the Mandalay Bays- the shark aquarium, places one shouldn’t miss. The live theatres of Vegas with famous shows like the Blue Man Group, David Copperfield, LOVE Cirque do Soleil (A), Zumanity Cirque do Soleil (A) and the iconic Michael Jackson.
It’s not that easy to…understand the town in terms of cleanliness, smoking habits, people and eating areas. By this time you kick start your visit the jet lag hits you on its prime. And it is not easy to negotiate over there as there are people from varied countries and can afford to pay being there.
The entire place is brimming with energy all the time! The city really compels not to sleep at night with all the major coffee shops and casinos opened throughout. The city really never sleeps….
Well tried and explained about the city. I am sure that the author must have felt the soul of the city hence I could find myself visiting the place virtually with each word I was reading. Very nicely described and who can resist visiting Sin City (Sshhh..) after reading this blog!!