THIS past weekend I traveled from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. From one city of bright lights to another, I noticed many similarities when landing in Sin City. Apart from the dry weather and desert surroundings, Vegas resembles that of Los Angeles in many ways than meets the eyes. Immediately after exiting my terminal from the airport, the appearance of simulated landmarks and varying cultures mixed into one central strip. The traffic, alike with LA was unbearable; however, in Vegas, the only road you have to sit in traffic in is located on the strip, so the option of walking is more convinient as opposed to walking in LA. Arriving at my hotel, I immediately felt as though I was in Hollywood. The Cosmopolitan, a new hotel featured in Vegas resembles that of a Hollywood-esque scene: there are vibrant chandeliers cascading from the top of the rectangular shaped building with stores that you would see on Rodeo Drive lining the walls of the hallways.
The influence of other cultures, being remade and simulated through the establishment of such hotels as :Paris" and "New York New York" also reminded me of the city of LA in that a similar appearance can be found all over the place in the western city. Walking among the crowded streets of the Las Vegas strip, I really got to thinking, Las Vegas alike with LA was a booster city at one point in time. The city has been fantasized and illustrated as some type of oasis in the middle of the desert. So, many people view Las Vegas as a destination; a place to commit unlawful acts and to experience some type of fulfillment by participating in the culture of the city. Sometimes, Los Angeles can be viewed in this same light. Not only did this strike me as interesting, but also with the rapid growth of Las Vegas, who is to say it won't be the next Los Angeles?
Only time will tell, but until then, Sin City will stand in the shadows of the brighter lit city, Los Angeles.
-Chelsea Vogt
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