Keene Equinox

Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Opinions

Media Credit: The Fresh Prints

Ah, spring break. A week commercialized to the general public as masses of college students heading to Cancun, Daytona, Miami and other hot spots to drink, lay on the beach, go clubbing, participate in a wet t-shirt contest and drink some more. These images are delusions of grandeur compared to actual spring break activities.

Most students will either head home or take a small trip during their week off from strenuous academia. As for myself, I took a plane with assorted relatives to Los Angeles to see a cousin of mine.

About halfway through the week, we departed from our southern California paradise and drove across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas. My initial response after spending two and a half days in the sinful oasis is that I don't want to go back, at least until I'm 21.

Being the ripe old age of 18, I was limited to what I could experience in Sin City, which turned out to be not much. If there is anything that Vegas is based upon, it is sex, gambling and drinking. I'm not old enough to set foot on a gambling floor to play a rousing game of "pull the lever" or buy gigantic margaritas in plastic Eiffel Tower cups.

I don't know about anyone else, but I don't trust all the cards with naked women on them that are handed out on the Vegas strip. Seriously, would you trust a grungy man on the side of the road handing you a woman's phone number that is literally made up of sixes and nines? Yeah, I don't think so.

What I noticed, though, was that a ton of people went to Vegas, especially in families. There were young people walking all around that town, both with their parents and unaccompanied, to some extent. It made me wonder what Vegas actually has to offer the younger crowd.

There are shows, roller coasters and hundreds of upscale designer stores, but that can't possibly quench a person's thirst for excitement in a city that never stops. I'm not sure what Vegas could do to broaden their horizons without losing some of its appeal to adults.

It would seem like Sin City was turning into Disney World of the desert, if Disney World had topless bars and blackjack. Can you imagine Cinderella and Snow White serving cocktails in skimpy outfits while Shrek smoked a cigar and dealt cards to wealthy old men? Seems a bit off to me. Vegas would just lose its attraction if it sold out like that.

Even then, there is still my crowd to think about: the people who are just so close to being 21 that aren't entertained by arcades or rides.

What is a young adult to do in Vegas? Was I supposed to sit in the room and stare out the balcony at what I was missing?

At one point, I decided to test the waters a bit. I was walking with my main group of people, who are all in their mid-20's and they decided to play some slots. I coyly stepped onto the gaming floor and watched some gaming in action. Not even five minutes later, a casino worker marched right up to me and asked for an ID.

I was busted, big time. I had to shamefully walk right off the floor to avoid a $10,000 fine and while walking past all the really expensive stores I could never buy anything at, I deduced that cameras were everywhere in the casino.

I probably stuck out like a sore thumb by just standing and not gambling. They're always pushing you in Vegas, whether to get a call girl, play more slots or just drink, drink, drink.

Did I have fun in Vegas? I did, but only because I was with people I enjoyed being around and the city in and of itself is visually stunning. Honestly, I felt like I couldn't do much while I was there and I felt limited because of my age.

As far as spring break goes, I wouldn't recommend Las Vegas to those who are under the legal age, because you'd be hard pressed to find much to do (except for things you can't do).

It's a nice place to visit, and probably really fun once you hit the big two-one, but Sin City won't see me for a while unless it rids itself of its immoral attributes.

Then what fun would that be for me once I'm good to go?



Corey Smith is a freshman majoring in journalism. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Equinox.

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