The trees tower above like skyscrapers; the moss underfoot stretch below like a massive throw. The whole area echoes with a prehistoric undertone. It was secluded, as though man had never pressed its palms on the dark soil. Los Angeles and Hollywood were just to the south. Though, this place revealed none of the bustling crowds and smog from its adjacent neighbors. It is a secret gem.

“We are beginning our descent. Please place all objects under the chair in front of you and lock you tables in the upright position. The woman over the intercom says. With one more longing look at the article I am reading, The Redwood Forests, California, I put the booklet in my backpack then slide it under the seat in front of me.

I close my eyes and see the lush foliage of the forest. It is unfortunate that the picture is the nearest I will be to that seclusion this vacation.

I feel the plane slowly lose altitude. But that was not the reason my stomach is in knots, just thinking of the noise and crowds that call our destination home makes me feel anxious and reluctant.Not the best place with someone with agoraphobia. There is no place in this Sin City for someone like me. This is not my idea of a fun or a vacation. This is what most
business trips must be like, loud boring and full of yelling people.

On either side of me I see my sisters, both with impatient smiles on their face. Hana, my older sister, catches my eye.
“Ready?” She asked excitedly.
“Yeah, it will be fun.” I said quickly.
“What’s wrong, you sick?” Hana asks. She sees through my may, as always.
“I am just am not sure I want to be on this vacation”
“Why not?”
“I’m...I’m not a fan of large crowds of people.”
Hana rolled her eyes.
“You’ll have fun” She states.
I am still far from being convinced
With a large thump the plane lands.



“Welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada. The current temperature is 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to wear a lot of sunscreen and thank you for flying with Southwest.” The flight attendant says happily.

There is a large wave of movement as everyone began to get out of their seats. I would have waited for everyone to go in front of me, but my sisters rush me out of the plane. I soon got into the terminal and see my first view of Las Vegas.

The first thing I register is the burning heat that begins to overtake my dark black sweater. It was as if someone had lit a fire under the terminal. Then I scan my new surroundings. My eyes catch on the bright collection of light in the middle of the massive area. With a few more moments of observation I realize it was a casino. A casino in the middle of an airport?! Great, a city that wants you to waste all your money before you step on their soil, a clearance shopper’s most beautiful dream. My family and I migrate to the escalators and we descend farther into the madness.

The next thing I take note of the large number of people. I instinctively move closer to my family. This is where I normally would cross my arms in a protective position but if I were to do that my sweater would have been even hotter.

I stare in awe. My little brother, Ronny, gurgles happily at the colorful display.

Not only is this airport the size of a large village, it looks like a how I picture Times Square in New York. There are electronic billboards plastering every available surface, switching colors every second or so. The effect made me dizzy.

I wander towards the baggage claim, nearly running into a large man with a remarkable amount of tattoos. The spectacle was so mesmerizing it made me feel overwhelmed and, more importantly, made me forget the dense population.

We quickly gather our luggage and step out onto The Strip. There is so much, so many buildings, so many lights, and so many people. I can feel my stomach flip again. There are people rushing past, people looking at the scenes like me, and even a few people skipping past.

I gaze in one direction, then the next, trying to get a panoramic picture of the whole experience. The people on the street begin to blend in with one another, Looking less like people and more like part the scenery. I recognize this also is what happens when I am on a stage acting. I can feel the phobia break its grip on me.

I can see an Eiffel Tower, a Castle and a massive poster of the Blue Man Group to the left. It is almost as if I am drifting for one place to the next, my brain was calculating so much it seemed to have forgotten my feet. My family and I head for our hotel, the MGM Signature. Apparently my parents had booked us the penthouse on the 32nd floor. I am very glad that elevators have been invented.
We walk mostly in silence. All of us absorbing the sights and sounds only available in Vegas.

The crowd sounds like a non-stop buzz, broken only by the occasional shout. The juxtaposition throws me off. I can spot people wearing nothing but bathing suit tops next to men in suits. There are 5 star restaurants next to tacky gift shops, Suites next to inns. If America is the melting pot, Vegas is at the center.

We arrive at our hotel and I barely believe it. The lobby reminds me the Broadmoor, but taller. There is a fountain covering the entire wall of the lobby. A man in a hotel uniform comes up to me and asks my family if they would like any water, at least they care about hydration. My mom goes to check us in. I look at the flower paintings adorning the walls.

Soon my mom comes back and tells us we are good to go. We drag our luggage into the elevator. Even the elevator seems luxurious. The walls are covered with soft red velvet. It takes a while to go all the way up to the top floor and exit the lift. The walls up here are decorated in golden argyle. We carefully read the golden lettering on each of the doors until we find the one we have been assigned. My father opens it. There are two doors behind the first one, one that leads to my sisters’ and my room and the other to my parent’s room. It is a perfect size for me and my two sisters.

While, it is a bit less lavish than the lobby it still contains a massive television, in the bedroom and the bathroom, a bathtub that could fit four people, and a bed that you can barely see under all the pillows.

Though, the part that really catches my eye is the window. I walk up to it. It towers above the city; I can see the entire strip and a few scattered buildings beyond it. I ponder the sight for a while. I can see the whole picture in one dose, a fantastic and alien array of lights and impossible architecture. It was a stunning spectacle.

A sea of people is rush below us, everyone with a different goal.

Las Vegas, the Sin city, the place where thousands of people come every day for the shows, shopping, bars, gambling, or the air never-ending amusement.

“So what do you think?” My little sister, Reece asks.

“I am reserving judgment.” I chuckle, this time with a genuine smile.

My little sister smiles back then quickly begins to un-packs her things.

I mimic her. Soon all three of us are unpacked, and have exchanged our Colorado clothes with summer apparel.

“You ready?” Hana excitedly asks.

“For what?” I ponder

Hana rolls her eyes “To viva Las Vegas, smart one.”

She then drags me to the elevator with Reece.

32 floors later we arrive back in the lobby. We go out the glass doors and on to the Strip.

We almost immediately get swept away by the current of bodies.

As my sisters and I debate where to go first I admire the Strip once again. Building towers above me like redwood trees. The sidewalk stretches out under my feet, filled with possibility. The whole area echoes with an undertone of joy. It is unrealistic, as though man decided that this was the place they were not going to stain with logic. Miles of nothingness surrounded the city. Though, this place blossomed from it. It is a desert flower.

I think to myself, "This is the city where everyone belongs."