What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. This famous phrase greets you right at the airport, along with, of course, the slot machines. Slot machines are everywhere here. Even if you arrive with the firm conviction that you won't spend more than a certain amount or even a single cent on them, don't kid yourself—investors didn't build this oasis in the middle of the desert just so you could 'just come to look.' Moreover, due to the crisis, the payout system has changed; winnings no longer spill out with a melodic chime but are credited to an account that you can cash out at special ATMs when you're done playing. Now the only question is finishing before you lose all your money, including your winnings. It's a good thing they've kept the tradition of serving players complimentary alcoholic(!) cocktails on the house. Honestly, the cocktails in Las Vegas are top-notch!
I was in Las Vegas for the first time, and naturally, I was primarily interested in the hotels on the popular tourist street, the Strip; I didn't even make it to other streets during my three-day stay. Every hotel on this street is an attraction. Some are built to resemble famous cities or places—Paris, New York, The Venetian, Luxor. They create the atmosphere of these places not just outside, but inside too, housing numerous streets with shops and restaurants, and at The Venetian, there are even real canals with gondolas and singing gondoliers. The painted sky on the ceilings makes you forget you're inside a building, and eventually, you start confusing whether you're outside or inside. Although, it's almost impossible to be outside during the day—it's 50 degrees Celsius—only the numerous Mexicans can handle it; it's their job to stand and flick business cards for escorts at tourists. Judging by the number of cards and Mexicans, business in Las Vegas is going well for them. Sin City, after all. But at night, Las Vegas is very comfortable—28 degrees, and there are almost no Mexicans around.
Americans often come to Las Vegas to see shows. The world's best shows for every taste are held here: erotic, celebrity performances, shows for kids, for lovers of classics, and erotic ones again—there are more of those, after all! There are paid shows—costing over $100—and free ones, which are also absolutely stunning: Sirens of Treasure Island, Streetmosphere, the dancing fountains at the Bellagio, and others, information about which can be found in free booklets available in hotels and shopping centers.
In Las Vegas, you can pick up souvenirs for the whole family and not worry about it until you return home. The best places to do this are Walgreens and ABC Stores. These are large shops that you will definitely find on the Strip.
And when you leave Las Vegas, it's a bit sad, because it's an eternal party there, and you're returning to the mundane. After just a couple of days, it will seem like Las Vegas was a dream, a fairy tale, and in reality, nothing like that ever happened!
