Mar 10 - Apr 8 - Stateside again - in Miami
We arrived in Miami and to year round summer - a constant reminder why the local basketball team is called the Miami Heat. (The stadium was close to our accommodation). Miami has its own vibe quite different from the rest of Florida, or the United States. It was an adjustment because it did not feel like we were back in the USA. Our accommodation was on the 27th floor of one of the many high rise buildings that identify this cityscape. The floor to ceiling windows gave us plenty to look at 24 hours a day. A city in constant motion: cruise ships in and out, cars on the highways, boats on the water, police vehicles buzzing around, the metro system, buses, trams, and railway line. We could see over to the airport, downtown, and South Beach, plus the surrounding blocks of lower level housing, empty lots, and industrial sites. As the sun set the lights came on which was beautiful. We could be entertained just by looking out.
But of course we did venture out to discover Miami for ourselves. What we found was equally fascinating and often contradictory. Lots of wealth, and a good number of not so wealthy. Incredible homes, luxury cars, people out and about. The Miami Design District (extremely high end stores such as Tiffany, Louis Vuitton) - a few blocks of luxury retail in the midst of residential homes with chain link fences. A washed out, moth eaten sweatshirt in the window of one of these high end shops with no price tags. Noticeably to me were the number of young people, and the number of people taking photos of themselves. Apparently Miami is where you need an Instagram account. Be seen.
As different as Miami was we turned it into 'home' with the arrival of Harry for his spring break. It was great to see him and explore the city together. We also had the opportunity to reconnect with some of our friends made in Lowes Island: Mankovskys, Livingstones, and the Garners.
