We landed in Las Vegas after dark. From the plane window, the Strip glowed as you expect it to, but it was the Sphere that caught my attention first, rising into view as we came in. It felt strange to realise this was the thing I noticed most. Not a casino or a billboard or the usual neon overload. Just this enormous presence sitting over the city.
Jet lag had us awake by four the next morning. When we stepped outside, the Strip looked completely different. The pavements were empty. The lights were still softer somehow. Delivery trucks moved through spaces that would usually be packed. The noise was missing. As the sun came up, it felt like the city was holding its breath. That walk stayed with me.
