That being said, like any other place, there are certain things about Las Vegas that drive me insane. The culture, being one. I constantly complain about Las Vegas having none. (I know Jordan, that doesn’t make sense, but let me explain what I mean.) It seems, to me, that the city of Las Vegas doesn’t have a culture of its own. Instead, over the last 20 years, it has seemed perfectly happy to copy every other major city around the world. It seems to me that as a city we are saying, why travel the world when you can come here and get a little taste? Who wants more than a taste anyway? New York City, Paris, Venice, Egypt. Come on down, it’s just like the real thing (plus the best strip clubs, seriously). Why have a culture all our own when we can just copy everyone else’s? This is clearly a subject I have thought long and hard about since moving here and I think it’s pretty clear that this is something that bothers me. Well, it did. Until yesterday. Something happened yesterday that made me smile and say, “Thank you, Las Vegas! Thank you for being a terrible, terrible place that has to mimic everyone else. Thank you, Las Vegas!” Because today I finally get to reap the benefits.
Last summer I met some great friends for a great time in New York City and we all wanted to
try this hip little place we had been hearing about called Pinkberry. It’s only in New York and California and we decided that since it was a hot, miserable day, we would treat ourselves to a shaved ice covered in frozen yogurt. Heaven. Pure Heaven. I was sad that Pinkberry seemed so far away. Now that I live in Las Vegas, the closest one is in LA and despite all the glamour, I rarely find myself there. But then. THEN! Yesterday, my friend Doug gave me the wonderful recommendation to a little frozen yogurt place called Tart. “You’ll love it” he said. And never a truer statement has come out of little Douglas’ lips. Tart is an EXACT replica of Pinkberry. I’ve never been happier to see a big fat copy cat in my life. 90 amazing calories of frozen yogurt goodness covered in fruity pebbles. And only a mere 5 minutes from my house. How I once was dreading the 115 degree summer days. Now, I say bring them on, I’ve got Tart on my side.
