Monday, July 15, 2013

Farewell, Las Vegas

We will head back home today after attending the Public Service Writers Association conference in Las Vegas. The conference was wonderful. We learned a great deal, saw friends, and made some new ones.

However, I was once again reminded of why we don’t visit Las Vegas often.
It's HOT! I don't do well in the heat. I've heard the argument, "But it's dry heat." At over 100 degrees, ANY heat is too much. Admittedly, I find it harder to breathe in humid air, regardless of the temperature, but high temperatures simply sap all my energy.

It's crowded. The traffic in the city is even worse than in Southern California. Last night we met friends for dinner at a restaurant on the same street as our hotel but about ten blocks away. It took us over half an hour to get there in the Sunday evening rush. In addition, the only scenery is the skyline featuring tall buildings vying for attention with their flashing neon signs.

Las Vegas allows smoking and I am extremely sensitive to the smell. My sinuses have been complaining since we arrived. Even in our supposedly non-smoking room, the scent of smoke is noticeable. In the Casino, I find it hard to breathe. Fortunately, the floor where the conference rooms are located was more isolated, and the air seemed a bit cleaner.

The unrelenting noise and lights are overwhelming. The casinos remind me of the pachinko parlors in Japan—all flashing colors and bells and tinkling music. Even the rooms aren't very quiet. Because the city runs on a 24/7 schedule, people slam doors, laugh in the hallways, talk loudly at all times, regardless of the time. I haven't had a good night's sleep since we arrived.

I am looking forward to being back at home in Dana Point where the daytime temperature is expected to be about seventy degrees. I can't wait to sleep in my own bed. I want to work on my PC with the dual screens in our office where I can hear the waterfall instead of slamming doors.

Yes, I'm spoiled—and I love it.

Lots of people pay a great deal to travel long distances just to visit Las Vegas. Since we don't drink or gamble, the charms of this city are rather lost on both of us. Maybe someone can explain to me why they enjoy coming here.

Will we return again? If the conference is held here again next year, probably. The rooms are inexpensive and the conference is worth the discomfort. Would we come for a vacation? Unlikely. Highly unlikely.

6 comments:

  1. I'm with you. I'm never anything but depressed in Las Vegas. Some people are having a good time, but it seems to me that so many are playing the slots and just kind of sad. The conference is a good reason to go though. I wish I could have made it this year! I would have gone, but I was actually performing a wedding ceremony for friends.

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    1. Ah! A true Renaissance Man! Hope to see you next year. (Yes, we'll go again.)

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  2. I don't like the part of Las Vegas you described either. Where my sis lives it's much nicer. Also it was humid while were there too, making it even more uncomfortable. The conference area isn't bad, that's why I go up there early every a.m.

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    1. We were early with you, but the Casino, through which you have to pass is always noisy and smoky!

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  3. It was wonderful to meet you and Larry at the Conference ~ so glad you came. I hear 'ya when it comes to the tough parts, but it's always worth it to me ~ to attend the PSWA conference and visit my dad. My experience varies, b/c my dad's a "local," so we don't visit the typical locations an infrequent or first-timer would visit. I enjoyed listening to the comments you and Larry made in the panels ~ thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Hope to see you again next year!

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    1. We really enjoyed your contributions! And the conference was definitely worth the discomfort!

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