Growing up in Reno, we were constantly compared to Vegas. I'll admit that I assumed Vegas just had a "strip" longer than ours, but it was exactly the same thing. In Reno you could count the months by the city-wide community events. If it's September, you know you'll see hot air balloons in the early morning sky. If it's Summer, you know you'll have Hot August Nights and Artown events to fill your days. You also have fresh produce from the Sparks Farmers Market for a great meal. And it wasn't a national holiday unless they roped off downtown Reno for a parade or two.
Reno truly is the Biggest Little City in the World. I assumed Las Vegas would be no different. That's what I get for assuming.
We came down to get our Masters Degrees, and ended up just working, our masters degrees now a distant memory. We found that Las Vegas is exactly as it promotes itself; a place where there are no consequences. This also means that there isn't really time for community. Or so it seems. I've done many a search for community events, but everything there is only lends itself to disappointment. The farmers market is 5 tables with produce from Albertson's.
Or maybe it's just my bad attitude.
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3 comments:
Really interesting perspective. I have ended up liking Las Vegas WAY more that I thought I would because of the strong sense of family here. We go to a community sponsored family event at least every other month. Then again, I have kids and a strong support group with all of the other wives/families waiting for the husbands to just be done with school already!
We live WAY far away from the strip and we stay away unless we are checking out Bellagios garden seasonally and maybe some animals here and there.
I agree about the farmer's markets. Lame. Have you heard about "bountiful baskets?" Look at their website. Not as fun as going to the market but equally fresh and cheap.
Hmmmm.
I'll check out bountiful baskets, thanks! Usually I just close my eyes at Fresh and Easy and just pretend I'm at a Farmers Market!
Yeah, I actually asked my mom about this problem, and she said I needed to have a baby, and that would get me involved. (Worst reason to have a baby...ever)
Please give me suggestions for activities! Part of me thinks these activities exist in Vegas, I'm just not used to doing a deep search for it.
While I find growing up in Reno to be comedy, I find even the idea of growing up in Vegas as a tragedy.
If I had a dollar for every time some a-hole asked me where I'm from, to only answer two drunk seconds later:
"This here's Courtney. She's from Vegas!"
I would be wealthier than the hottest stripper on the... strip.
So, your blog makes me very happy. Because the only thing worse than being from Reno, is people thinking your from Vegas.
Please.
THEY. ARE. NOT. EVEN. CLOSE. TO. BEING. THE. SAME. TOWN.
Duh.
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