... is exposed right here!
Our last full stop before Black Rock City was Las Vegas: the plan was to arrive one evening and leave town the following morning, leaving one full day to explore the infamous Sin City. Out of the three of us, I was the only first timer in town, so everything was kind of new to me. The other fold of the stop was for me to visit an old friend of mine and her daughter. I hadn't seen this friend for about 3 years, and never had a chance to meet her 4-year old daughter.
The Palazzo
Thanks for a special friend, I was able to spend some time in the pool area at the Palazzo and enjoy some caipirinha at Sushi Samba! Fucking yeah.. nothing better than some chillin' before a week at black rock desert...
Same colors, Same winds, Different Vibes
After Seeing Vegas and already been to Black Rock City, I was shocked how drastically similar and different both cities were. It must be something in Nevada's water or just the desert dust. As I was exploring Vegas, I couldn't help myself but make the comparison to BRC:
- Lights. lights and lights: You make the call: neon? color LEDs? Laser beams? Fire? They both have them, enough to "transform" night into day.
- Entertainment: let's just ignore the "fun" factor / quality aspect of it and say both cities do offer TONS of entertainment. I must admit, if I didn't know better, I would be entertained in Vegas. Enough said.
- Seasonal places: No argument here about BRC, as the city only technically lasts 7 days. Now I was surprised talking to some "locals" in Vegas, to hear most people come, stay for a couple of years, then go. Kind of Waikiki but turboed: the "locals" seemed to be from all over the place, but Vegas, which I guess is typical for tourist cities.
- Creativity: okay, let's just please take this as I am presenting. I said creativity, NOT originality, so burners out there, CALM DOWN, I am not insulting BRC! Even the art of copying something has creativity in it, and the concept itself of creating cities in the desert is creative. So in my humble opinion, both cities do reveal levels of creativity beyond an average city.
- Reality Refuge: inarguably, both cities do attract a vast range of newbies driven by the concept of a surreal lifestyle. It is common to hear stories about first timers going to Vegas as well as Black Rock city: tales of sex, drugs, alcohol, parties, and the list goes on.
Plastic x Flesh
At a first layer, the similarities are there, but as you peel off the shells, in essence there is not much in common between these cities: their dynamics is absurdly different, their vibes are entirely opposite.I believe the gap is so huge, as to white and black, dry and wet, FAKE and REAL. Which one is each? It is in the eye of the beholder. You pick your flavor. As for me, I know I am a Black Rock city citizen.
Yes, the foundation of my analysis is very poor, after all I had spent less than 48 hours in Vegas. At the same time, I invite anyone willing to make a better comparison, to visit BRC, and see what this city is really about.
