Arriving and Leaving Las Vegas

I spent an extended weekend in Las Vegas recently. Whatever you think about Vegas, there is no denying it has become one of the biggest tourist destinations in the U.S. The sheer volume of hotel rooms, all the new construction, combined with the non-stop energy of The Strip, makes arriving in Las Vegas unforgettable.

But what about leaving Las Vegas? (No, not the Nicholas Cage movie...although that was a pretty good flick)...I'm talking about actually packing up your bags and leaving Sin City. I had never really thought about this before, but leaving Las Vegas is a totally different experience than arriving, more so than other cities.

I believe the reason is two-fold. First, most people who choose to gamble end up losing. That's just the reality. The deck is stacked against you whatever you play. So that glee and excitement of arriving is dulled when you leave because your wallet is probably a little lighter. The other thing is, and I can't speak for everyone, but after two or three days in the midst of all the noise, the people, the glitz...you wanna get out of there!

So leaving Las Vegas is an interesting journey. The next time you fly to Vegas, note how different the vibe is on the trip in and the trip out. You'll see what I mean.