The Vegas Strip
Me being a tourist
I have to talk about the strip. I mean, that’s where everyone goes to vegas right? I spent a day in the strip while I was hanging with Tim, as he needed to do some work with his film stuff and clients, and I had to take advantage of seeing the strip in all its glory.
To be honest, the strip is a magic kingdom. I mention Fremont (and I will again before my time in Vegas is over) but the rest of the strip is incredible too. I got dropped off on Las Vegas Boulevard and I got the chance to explore it.
You can literally pick a building and get lost in it for hours. I went into the MGM Grand building and while I did see casinos, I also saw an art gallery inside the MGM. Art galleries, fine restaurants, and entertainment.
Even outside is a wild time. So many people are on various corners of the streets. I saw musicians, girls in outlandish costumes, and others. I had a rapper do his thing, and watched me film him. He was so quick on his feet he got a rhyme with me in asking for a buck.
At this point in the trip money was tight. That’s a blessing in disguise as sometimes not having makes you focus on the thigns you need. I was at this point in the process using a blood bank to get money, and so it was just going out for food and just enjoying the sites. When you can’t commit to money, you’d think there isn’t a lot to do on the strip, but actually, nothing is further from the truth.
There’s so much to see and hear and do. And that was just one building.
Crossing the street I met two lovely ladies in costume. They had a very simple scheme. They would hug and pose pictures for money. I had a five dollar bill in my pocket, and I was encouraged to shove it down the bosom of said hugger. Those two were a hoot.
She was nice. I didn’t have any money for her but she posed anyway. The other picture sadly got destroyed with the phone (More on that later) but this was an example of the colorful strip. Each block was an adventure.
To see the freestyle rapper you can click here and watch the video.
The strip is more a fantasy made real in this place. It’s another part of the city, and the part people and tourists know from a distance. It’s colorful, it’s different from anywhere I’ve ever been to. It’s a different kind of theme park from Orlando, but somehow more fun. It’s more adult, yet still is kid friendly in a lot of ways. Vegas has something for everyone, and tries to entertain.
Anything goes here. There’s a touch of a hustler’s vibe here, and I think that’s why I dig the city. It’s alive, and interesting. The strip is the colorful side, but even the regular parts have a little of that vibe to it.
I saw people play with improvised drums, I saw a little begging, but also there’s a freaking theme park in the middle of the strip. There’s a ferris wheel and a ride right in the middle. Now the prices in this place? Expensive. A cup of starbucks was nearly twice as much as an average cup in another store. The strip is expensive, but it’s an experience and everyone in vegas with or without money should check it out.
I have to mention that there is comedy. There’s a lot of built in shows you can reserve tickets too. Tim took me to a comedy show here as I was looking for something to do, and we ended up going. I couldn’t afford drinks so much, but I heard two decent acts. The second act was relatable. I enjoyed the routine, and went and spent the last night in Tim’s guest room.
My final day with Tim I got to listen in on his clients as he was working on ghostwriting a book with a very famous personality. He had a movie he was working on and in general he was just doing some cool stuff. I also couldn’t forget that he tried to do the spring to help me.
That’s a good dude.
Of course, I wasn’t sure what was next for me. I was still undecided on Utah or California and the weather turned unexpectedly winter. But I was rolling with it. I wasn’t concerned. Money was slowly coming back in my pocket, and I got to see the strip. Vegas had treated me alright.
And it turns out, wasn’t done with me yet.