So after spending a couple of days on International Drive in Orlando, it seems to me that at least sections of it are what Vegas would look like if there was no legalized gambling. It's all mini-golf courses, giant souvenir shops, water parks, and TGI Fridays. There are also two buildings with facades designed to make it look like something traumatic has happened -- a magic theater made to look like the whole bldg is upside down and the Ripley's museum which looks like it's breaking in half. Sadly, I didn't take my camera with me last night when I took the trolley up to the mall at the north end of International. Which was a weird place. Very high style, with a multiplex and a Ron Jon Surf Shop and a Vans Skate Park but almost no shops that sold anything you could imagine anyone wanting to buy. Y'know, they had a book liquidator instead of a Borders or B&N. And the place was oddly deserted. But it wasn't rundown and neglected looking. Just an odd combination all around.
The main thing I learned on this trip though is that I'm still at heart a miserable, anti-social bastard. Having to make conversation with total strangers for hours was exhausting. This morning I went back to make a last tour around the show floor and make sure I'd checked off all the items on my list and I had to fight off waves of ennui and inanition just to get myself to chat with one more vendor.
It's good to be home.