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Travel
the World... |
Independent advice for |
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traveling the world |
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Our Three Cents: Real Fakes
by Jeff Booth
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Carhenge, Nebraska
So maybe fake is too strong a word. Let's call this one a variation on a theme. Not much of a druid vibe going on here, but the circle of cars (Buicks, Caddies, and more) does look somewhat like the original Stonehenge, especially if you've been driving for ten hours straight to get there. There's not a whole lot else going on in Alliance, Nebraska, but really, what more do you need than a pseudo-cosmic energy spot? (U.S. 385, two miles north of Alliance, NE)
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Luxor, Las Vegas
Where to start? Maybe the ultimate fake in the ultimate city of fakes, the massive modern pyramid rises above the desert, reflecting the neon of the Strip. Any pharaoh would have been impressed with this, maybe even as an upgrade over the royal tombs and pyramids of Egypt. Not only is it just as symmetrical and massive, but it's got a posh casino inside and loose slots instead of dusty, sealed-off burial chambers. Of course, for those of us who are not pharoahs, why see Egypt when we've got the best part (the pyramids) right next to Venetian canals and the Eiffel Tower? You've got to cram as much in on a road trip as you can. (3900 Las Vegas Blvd. So. Las Vegas, NV)
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The Leaning Tower of Niles, Illinois
There's a lot of leaning buildings, so why do the ones in Pisa and Niles get so much attention? In Pisa, it shows poor engineering. In Niles, it shows a somewhat obsessive fascination with Italian engineering mistakes. Nevertheless, this half-size tower has the replica thing down pat. Definitely worth the drive from Chicago, hopefully with a deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza in the back seat that you can eat at the base of the Leaning Tower (double points on the Knockoff/Stolen Culture checklist). (6300 Touhy Avenue, Niles, IL)
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