Vague Gas

The fast and easy way to prompt a reaction is to immediately indicate that you are diametrically opposed to something that is obviously popular to some segment of the population.  For me, that’s Vegas.  Having now been here for a full day, I can say that, without a doubt, this city is completely unsustainable on a number of levels. 

First, the city caters to sloth, obesity, and an empty promise of something for nothing.  I can’t help but feel that the entire premise of “get rich quick” is a leftover from my grandparent’s age.  No matter what you play, the house always wins.  Food is overpriced and abundant if you have the coin.  The southwestern US culture of Native Americans and gold rush are lost on this overbuilt Disney-esque representation of international flavor.  It’s a sham.  If you like 5 sugars in your coffee then you’ll probably like Vegas (and Thomas Kinkade paintings).  Like anything, extravagances need to be taken in digestible doses…but looking around at the obese walking from slots to table and back to the slots proves that isn’t happening here.   You get the feeling that if Carnival Cruise Lines could carve a channel from Los Angeles to Vegas to add it as a regular stop, they would, if it promised not to take away from their own gambling revenues.

Environmentally, this place is a nightmare.  It’s a desert.  You have nothing around the city for miles other than open road, stunted Joshua Tree cacti, ravens and dirt…thousands of square miles of dirt.  Yet, Vegas’ big draw?  The (evaporative) fountains at the Bellagio.  The sheer number of kilowatts needed to light the strip is mind numbing.  Add to that 100,000 hotel rooms, air conditioning, and juice for the slots/tables and you’re talking about millions and millions of kilowatts. 

In most major cities you place the airport outside of the busy financial epicenter.  New York has three peripheral airports.  DC, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Chicago, New Orleans, Los Angeles all have their airports away from the heart of the city.  Not Vegas baby.  In line with the shit-where-you-eat mentality of it all, the airport is nearly adjacent to the strip.  What sound pollution?  Who could hear the airport over the whines of culturally neutral musical acts like Celine Dion and Brittany Spears? 

Every 5 feet is another opportunity to have a Starbucks cup of coffee.  Every major food chain is here.  The malls in Vegas make Short Hills, NJ look like a Target.  I can’t tell you how excited I was when I saw a Marshalls and Walgreens Pharmacy.  Celebrity Chefs are shoehorned into the casinos.  If it was on TV you can get it here…in the middle of nowhere…for an inflated price. 

And, the smoke.  It permeates every casino, every store, every fiber of your clothes.  It’s, in short, disgusting. 

However, beyond the strip are those small businesses and eateries that are trying to redeem Sin City.  Thank god for Yonaka Sushi and the breakfast/lunch place Eat.  Soul redeeming meals far enough from the glitz that you could take a step back, enjoy your meal, and relax.  In short, I’m not likely to make Las Vegas a destination ever again…but if I do, I’ll be looking to escape as quickly as I can…to Zion or Grand Canyon National Parks, for a (mentally and physically) healthier experience.