VoiceEyesHands

I spent a lot of time off the strip when I visited LV, mostly because I found the strip a little depressing. And so did my friends who lived there – so we spent most of our time at local hang outs which I found to be far more interesting. My impression of the place, is that it offers a kind of surreal world for tourists. A sort of Toon Town. But for residents, it feels like a trap.

Person after person that I talked to talked about leaving Las Vegas as if they were trying to climb out of some giant hole. It kind of reminded me of that part in Pinnochio, where all the kids get drunk, play games, smoke cigars and then they end up turning into donkeys that become slaves to that evil guy that is setting them all up.

I’ve been 3 times. A learning experience, but not a pleasant place to be.

Plus, LV has the highest suicide rate in the country. One person a day commits suicide there – and they do it a lot in the hotels. My friend was a bar tender in one of the hotels, and he told me about it. So … yea, hard to enjoy your deluxe suite after that!

Although I do complain about California from time to time (the cost of living, the overpopulation, the crime, the materialism, the superficiality) it is mi casa and I do love it here. There’s very interesting people, and very beautiful places to go hiking. I am constantly discovering new places to explore. There’s a little something for everyone here.

That being said, it is not paradise, which I think it often gets characterized as.

I’ve been to NY twice and I have to say that both times the aspect of New York that impressed me the most was the people. Sure, there’s tall buildings, and stores, and bright lights but the people there are really the most unique part. I had the deepest conversations with random people. They’re tough, and straight forward (yea, yea, I’m generalizing) and so different from the type I’ve gotten used to living with in LA (sorry LA people).