Vegas and the Grand Canyon (04/22/2011-04/24/2011 and 07/16/2011-07-17/2011)

To continue the theme of American weekend destinations, here's a post on the ultimate expression of American consumer culture - Las Vegas.  I had come here first for a close friend's bachelor party (whose privacy I'll respect) and had a chance to tour the various landmarks and see a few establishments for which Vegas is famous for.  The second time was a weekend getaway with a good friend in my industry.

You do not come to Vegas to save money - the whole place is designed to extract as much money from you as possible and for you to enjoy every step of the process. They do this very effectively. Whether it's casinos, shows, pool parties, or day trips into the surrounding desert, Vegas has something for everyone.  Be forewarned, if 'authenticity' is what you seek, be prepared for disappointment.  Aside from the impressive natural scenery (namely, the Grand Canyon), Vegas is a wholly artificial construct. The city itself shouldn't even exist given it is built right on a desert. You can even see attempts of follow-on cities hoping to replicate Vegas' success scattered and abandoned in the desert, indicating just how inhospitable this land is.