Day 464 - South Beach

This morning we went to the beach! I didn’t have a lot of time before I had to catch the train, so we went to South Beach & my roomie showed me around some of the fancy Art-Deco hotels. She is studying Interior Design & Fashion Design, so this was right up her alley!

She knew which designers had decorated which hotel, where the parties & get-togethers happened on what days of the week, and of course, the history of the hotels in the area. After the beach & the hotels, we walked down the main pedestrian street. There was a Sunday market in full swing, so we checked out the orchids, cocoa butter, pastries… of course, we didn’t eat any! I took a salad with me for yesterday & tonight I’d be back at the Institute for dinner.

We zipped back to the house, picked up the suitcase & made our way to the train station with a few minutes to spare. I was sad to say goodbye to my roomie. We got along so well last week & had a lot of fun times together. I was worried about who my roommate would be this coming week.

I told her I’d see her in the coming months, as I was certain one of Jaco’s ships would be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale at some point in the game!

The train ride went well. The bus, not so much. I had the address written down & I knew it was a left hand turn after the freeway. I thought it was I-95. Apparently it was the Turnpike. Minor detail! I had half the bus trying to figure out where I was going. One lady was convinced I was headed to a rehab place for alcoholics & drug addicts. I assured her it was not. Finally one gal got on the bus & she knew where Hippocrates was. The bus driver dropped me off in the middle of nowhere & I walked about a mile back to the Institute. The last leg seemed forever away. I was beginning to wonder if I’d taken the wrong road! Suddenly this white Avalanche pulled up beside me, the window rolled down & I cringed as I didn’t know what was about to come…

It was John! My friend from the Institute! He cleans the main hall every night & although it usually closes at 2100, he lets me stay later & use the internet to talk to Jaco. He’s a real sweetheart & tonight his timing was impeccable! He was on his way to work. He gave me a ride home & I was safe & sound by 1730 – just in time for dinner!

I was plenty hungry! Sprouts have never looked so good! Needless to say I had a heaping plate! Yum!

What a whirlwind of a weekend… I won’t forget it anytime soon… That’s for certain!

xxxxMaria

High rise on the beach

South Beach

Pretty water, pretty beach

Ooh la la

Yours truly on the beach

More high rises & hotels

Fancy decor

Funky chairs

Help me out - who is the designer?

Loved the curtains blowing in the breeze

White washed

More creative designs

Crazy designs

Wheel barrow/wheelchair

Pool party anyone?

The 'it' place one day of the week!

Another funky hotel - same designer

I want a bed outside! Thanks!

Hotel

Sunday market

Orchids!

Beautiful!

I've been here! In 2003 with Jenn & the men of the past!

My bus stop. A lot of miscommunication!

Day 463 - CSI:Miami (Crazy Stay In:Miami)

Today will most certainly go down in the history books as one of the most intriguing days of my life. Today was ‘Turnaround’ day at the Institute. Guests are leaving & some will be arriving today & tomorrow. Some were up early to catch a flight & some were hanging around until the afternoon.

The sun was finally out! It was warm! I sat outside & called Mom. She told me all about the snow & cold weather on it’s way. I don’t miss that!

My roommate had graciously invited me to come & stay at her place tonight & spend some time in Miami. Alessandra was busy, so it worked out well! I looked up bus/train schedules & it will be an easy way for me to get back tomorrow afternoon.

When I was a little girl, I always dreamed big. I have no idea where it came from. I grew up in the country, on a ranch, surrounded by all things rural. In any case, I never dreamed this big. My head is still spinning. Here’s a snippet of 29^th January, 2011:

We drove to Miami in a convertible Bentley. To a small island.

I could see the cruise ships docked waiting to set sail for another week of adventure & sunshine. They each blew the ship’s whistle as they sailed out of the harbor. (Just a few more weeks until I see Jaco!)

I am certain I have walked into a magazine - something from Island Living, or Beach Homes. There is a water fountain as we walk up the steps. Tall & white, plenty of windows, infinity pool, elaborate artwork & décor, a gym, a 4^th floor balcony where I watched the sunset, speakers in all the rooms, a jet-ski dock, worldly carvings & statues – I knew that people lived like this, but I’ve never experienced it! My roommate showed me some books from her & her husband’s travels – one book covered about 10 years worth of travel for you & me. They did it one summer! I commented on the books & how nice they were. She said, ‘Oh, yes, it’s a little company my husband started. It’s called Shutterfly.’ (For all you photo/scrapbookers out there – yeah. ‘Nuff said.)

I watched the sunset over Miami & then typed this post. We’re off to a 30^th birthday party this evening – should be interesting! I’ll take my camera, but no promises! I’m feeling slightly ‘under-dressed’ I have Lulu capris, a grey tank top & flipflops! Oh & no hair & no wig! I’ll only stand out a little bit.

xxxxMaria

Sunset over Miami

Palm Trees & Sunshine

Reflections

Pur-dy

Love the water & colour

Long tall shadows

My feet in the infinity pool

The view

Somebody pinch me!

Sunshine sinking away for the night

Miami by night

My roomie & her husband

My raw roomie & I

You're looking at 2 Hodgkin's survivors! YAY!!!

The scene of the party!