Las Vegas, Before an Election by Monica Macansantos
The Allure of the Strip
On my first trip down the Strip, I found myself grappling with an overwhelming sense of possibility. Sitting in the car of my mother’s friend, I attempted to count the hotel room windows high above me, each illuminated box a teeming world of its own. Imagining the people inside—turning on faucets, taking showers, discarding take-out containers—made me appreciate the striking juxtaposition of visceral reality with the illusion of the American Dream. Las Vegas claims to embody this dream, bullying the desert into a facade of limitless aspiration and riches.
“Welcome to Las Vegas,” my mother’s friend declares with palpable excitement, and I let a chuckle escape, feeling my apprehensions dissolve like the desert sun dissipates the morning chill.
Temptation and Disillusionment
Weeks later, I accompanied a new friend through a casino, and we navigated the maze of gambling tables to a back garden shimmering with artificial charm. Outside, the heat enveloped us, contrasting with the cool, controlled climate of the casino. Here, we were greeted by guards checking IDs, ushering us beneath a vibrant archway toward a circus tent—the home of the Absinthe show.
This fake garden, decked with a bright, glowing faux tree, invited smiles and selfies, but soon overshadowed by the revelations of hidden dangers. Our delight was marred by the NPR segment I’d heard earlier discussing the carcinogenic risks of artificial turfs—much like the allure of Las Vegas itself, underpinned by its darker realities.
The Stories Beneath the Surface
The acrobat my friend had invited us to see burst onto the scene, embodying everything that was both captivating and precarious about this city. Training since the age of ten, he described his journey from state-sponsored performances in China to choreographing his own routines in Las Vegas. His success story illuminated a facet of the American Dream where risk and reward intertwine.
I was captivated, holding my breath as he and his partner soared through their performance, every catch and release a testament to years of training. I wondered how many near-misses they had experienced, contemplating the sacrifices made for the glamour and dreams that sparkled above them.
The Complex Identity of New Migrants
As much as I was drawn to this city, my presence as a new migrant carried its weight. I had come to Las Vegas for a writing fellowship at UNLV, not for a job in the bustling casinos, and yet I felt the familiar pangs of being an outsider. Chasing my dreams, I maneuvered the landscape armed with an accent from my graduate years in Texas. I recognized the glances from others attempting to decipher my place in a society that often judges based on superficial markers.
Conversations with chatty Uber drivers often spun out into revelations about their journeys—seeking opportunity within the chaos, just as I was. Each interaction felt like a puzzle piece, helping me assemble a picture of the shared migrant experience in a city where dreams often collide with harsh realities.
Common Threads
I was astonished to uncover a vibrant Filipino community hidden within the layers of the Vegas strip. Familiar faces greeted me at every turn—at a local grocery store and on bustling streets. This city, once an afterthought in my travels, now felt like a bridge to my homeland.
Encounters with fellow Filipinos would often reveal fragments of their past lives, lives spent as engineers or journalists before arriving here. They wore their histories like badges of pride, even as they adapted to new roles far removed from their previous identities.
Navigating Wealth and Despair
As I rode through the streets of Las Vegas, the glittering towers of success often stood in stark contrast to the visible signs of struggle. The roads aligned with luxury resorts also teemed with unhoused individuals dragging their belongings—crossing invisible but palpable divides of wealth and despair. Observing these disparities, I pondered my privileged access to opportunity juxtaposed with the harsh realities faced by many.
In conversations with Filipinos now working as dealers in casinos, I heard stories of serendipity and resilience. They shared how their humble beginnings had been bolstered by the job security and benefits provided by a casino environment. However, whispers of past dreams lingered, leaving a sweet yet bitter taste in the backdrop of their newfound lives.
The Duality of Existence
Amidst the glamour, difficult discussions around politics arose during my time in the city. Laughter among friends often dissolved into worries over family members whose beliefs clashed with our own. The overwhelming presence of political propaganda pulled me into an emotional dance—a mingling of fear and hope echoed in conversations reflecting broader societal dilemmas.
In this city where illusion reigns supreme, I began recognizing the power of shared experiences and how they forged connections across various backgrounds. The urge to grasp at the fleeting notion of success burrowed deep into conversations, as individuals expressed a blend of hope and trepidation for their families and futures.
Finding Moments of Joy
Phenomena like the extravagant shows influenced daily life significantly. One evening, I accompanied a new friend to a lively restaurant, feeling the pulse of energy around me as we prepared to see a disco-themed performance. It bolstered spirits and united us, lifting worries momentarily with the rhythm and camaraderie that flowed through the crowd.
Dancing alongside other revelers, I reveled in the embrace of joy. The fleshy, vibrant world wrapped around us full of laughter and music, provided a fleeting yet exhilarating taste of freedom, a united interlude away from the complexities surrounding our lives.
Resilience in the Margins
As I navigate my new surroundings in Las Vegas, I find beauty in its extremes—its highs and lows, dreams and struggles, laughter and despair. Though threats and fears linger, hope rises alongside the electric neon, illuminating paths not only for myself but for those who walk similar journeys. Through it all, I hold onto the belief that if the American Dream can find a home in a city defined by contradictions, perhaps avenues exist where compassion can thrive and build bridges across societal divides.