Moon over Miami

I’ve missed posting photos and writing here. Other obligations called – this time a business training in Miami. My hubby went with me and I’m glad he did. The inner adventurer in me sought out hotel accommodations that were as far afield from big-name franchises as I could find. I was completely unfamiliar with Miami and unprepared for comparing one neighborhood from another, all while online.

The first surprise was the intense humidity and 82+degree heat. Not exactly the apple-and-pumpkin picking weather of New England! Our cab driver took us on a wild and spirited ride from the airport down into the Art Deco District near South Beach, Miami. There were a couple of moments there when I thought he was going to send the cab flying over the guard rail — and all while graciously pointing out city landmarks, his voice in competition with a talk-radio show.

Here is a southern view from our 3rd floor room at the Clay Hotel. I must have really turned into a country bumpkin; the proliferation of skyscrapers in a beach setting came as quite a shock to the senses. But isn’t the embroidery like banding on the peach stucco building lovely? And there’s nothing like a few palm trees to say “vacation”!

 

Our veranda overlooking Espanola Way afforded some nice aerial shots and I clicked away happily.

 

*

 

The search for a healthy, inexpensive meal was ‘on’. We walked for blocks (going in circles, truth be told) and eventually settled on a small hole-in-the-wall that served whole wheat pizza piled high with fresh, raw veggies. Ahhhhhhh. Delish!

And another evening we found this cool place:

Where the waiter took pity on me as the perspiration ran down my face, unaccustomed to the Floridian climate. He seated us as close to the air conditioner as possible and brought me a large, unsweetened ice tea el pronto!

After a day of training held indoors at one of the fancy beachside hotels, we were thrilled to learn about the boardwalk. I was giddy with camera-happiness the entire 3 miles back to our not-so-posh neighborhood.

All in all, the trip was a wonderful change of scenery and pace. If you’d like to see a few more photos, click here.  Final thoughts … I think it’s good to shake things up a bit, even if you are over fifty and have come to a time in life when you appreciate (and expect) certain creature comforts. And by the way, I never thought I’d be saying that I expected certain creature comforts!!! Seems that the concept of getting out of one’s comfort zone is applicable in all sorts of ways, not just on the job!