OK, I admit it, Las Vegas 
is not my favorite place in the world, but it is thought provoking. After spending a couple of glorious weeks in New Zealand with its dramatic natural landscapes and warm, trusting people (I was surprised to find out that they have no airport security for domestic flights in NZ), I was thrown into a culture shock by heading straight to Vegas.
Whenever I’m in Vegas, I feel like I’m in one of those awful reality shows where everyone exudes bad behavior. What do you expect from a city that encourages bad behavior in their advertising campaign. It’s a non-stop show of human excess and decadence. It’s great for people-watching but it depletes the soul.
One evening a group of friends and I watched the endless parade of humanity – at its worst. Women wearing outfits that they definitely don’t look good in, everybody over imbibing on something or other and hustlers of all kinds – everywhere. So, I was amused when a hooker caught my glance and made a remark about me looking at her. Isn’t that’s what she’s going for – to be noticed?
I suppose I’m at a point in my life where I have no use for an environment that is the opposite of what is important in my life – tranquility and beauty. I wonder – what is it that attracts people to this destination – is it the chance of getting “lucky”? Or is it a place they feel they can go to be their “real” self. If so, I wonder why they need Vegas for that?
I don’t get it but I was happy to go home – or back to New Zealand.
Journeys of a Hybrid 
I was waiting for that phrase to appear somewhere…. 🙂
Hi Jenna,
I waited out of respect for Thanksgiving – thanks for the best title ever!
Gail
Las Vegas, to me, represents the absolute worst in American Culture. It is crass, materialistic, shallow and built upon hype. I hate shooting there and make it a point to always stay in a Marriott hotel – they do not allow gambling in their hotels so you don’t have people wandering the building or smoking up the lobby.