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Road Trip to Atlantic City, page 3
I was in Atlantic City recently. I saw a PBS special about Las Vegas, where they mentioned the drastic change caused by the introduction of gambling in Atlantic City. The impact of introduction of gambling here was profound, as there were tens of millions of people within a days drive of the once-popular but declining resort community. They flocked to the casinos here, spurring further competition with that glittering oasis of gaming in Nevada, and the introduction there of the Mirage hotel.
Here are some more observations and photos.
This is the Atlantic City Expo Center on the boardwalk. A more modern Convention Center is co-located with a train line that runs to Philadelphia (but is not connected easily to NJ Transit, and therefore most of the rest of the state, unfortunately).
The eagle seal below holds the classic olive branch and cluster of arrows, indicating peacefulness coupled with readiness and the ability to fight back.
Jaunty pose, isn't it?
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 Detail of photographer. |
Kids from many countries come to the Jersey shore to get some exposure to the US, and to earn some money. They typically share marginal living arrangements with fellow-citizens of their far-flung home countries. (Well, the countries have not been flung around much lately, so they're firmly situated in terra firma in their map coordinates, however far they are).
It's fun to hear the patter of teenagers in various languages as you walk past the pushcarts that ply the long boardwalk. After pounding the pavement and the boardwalk, this fairly hale and hearty fellow was tempted by their pitches, but opted to take the 'shoe leather express' back to the hotel.
Missouri Avenue. Glitzy, to be sure, but if you want to 'fight the hype', just walk onto the beach; it's free, and there are several places where you can wash the sand off your feet. The majesty of the ocean far supercedes the often-inane hustle and bustle of the boardwalk.
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