highlifer

Trapped in paradise, or my vacation to Miami

There's a children's book called "That's good, That's Bad" and basically, you'll get the gist. All things considered, however, this was an awesome vacation.

That's Good: The annual Miami football trip is scheduled for October 23. This day, there will be a celebration honoring Dan Marino for The Husband, and the night before Miss Kittin is playing in a club for me.

That's Bad:A few weeks before, the hurricane panic already begins.

That's Good:The Husband gets to Florida on Thursday.

That's Bad:My plane doesn't leave until Saturday, and the hurricane is bearing down. And the football game has been moved to Friday so I can't go.

That's Good:My plane leaves right on time, Saturday night. It's practically empty, so I stretch out over 3 seats and nap all the way to Miami.

That's Bad:However, the Husband and friends have spent the day drinking and watching football, so I have to take a $32 cab from the airport.

That's Good:But the weather is hot and gorgeous. And so's the hotel.

That's Bad:The Husband and Montie are passed out cold. I'm lucky to wake them up long enough to let me in the room.

That's Good:But I change my clothes, and head off to the I/O Lounge for Miss Kittin.

That's Bad:Who, since that morning, has cancelled. But I stick around for the Dance party, since I've already cabbed into the city. Pretty fun, and very Taxlo. Oh, but drinks were sorta pricy, and the ATM was broken, and the didn't take credit cards unless you spent $30. After two rounds, I'd only have enough left for cab fare. So I find out that there is an ATM down the street, and I head off to the ghetto mart at midnight in Miami, to carry $100 back to the club. Good thing my Mom couldn't see that!

That's Good:Kamikazes are only $3, so I down many. And find that no sleep, no food and 3 kamikazes do the trick. I head back to the hotel to try and wake up the boys. But the boys are not to be woken, so I go to the hotel bar and plan to just sit on the porch and enjoy the weather. The guys on the porch are from Warren, Ohio (Hi, Leaf and Snoop!) and we spend an hour in drunken goofiness. But while one of them goes to change for a late drunk trip to the beach, I suddenly need to go upstairs (and throw up) and I do.

That's Bad:Ouch! Hangover. Nothing that a cheeseburger at the 11th St. Diner can't help though..

That's Good:Finnegan's Way on Ocean Drive is the best place to watch sports. Completely open and with a sea view. I eat coconut shrimp and a salad, and drink Cokes and then pina coladas. And the Eagles somehow don't lose.

That's Bad:In wake up at 8 a.m. to the sound of the hurricane. A hurricane is LOUD. So we go downstairs to watch it from the lobby with all the other guests.

That's Good:Watching a hurricane when the damage is cosmetic only is quite fascinating! Mostly it's just loud, and suddenly an entire gutter or street sign will blow down the street. But after about an hour, when it starts to wane, we go back to bed. At 11:30, we get up and join the rest of the tourists in surveying the situation.

That's Bad:Things to remember if you are a tourist and the hurricane is coming - buy food while there is still power. Because restaurants won't open. Although the cheese puffs and pound cake and lukewarm Coke I got at the Cuban mart at about 3 was pretty delicious. As was the meatball sub that we waited an hour for at Geno's Pizza and Brew. Another thing to remember - your credit card might not work without power, and lots of ATM's might not either. Get cash!

That's Good:A hotel bar doesn't need electricity! The guests, including a Southern Maryland native, a gang of drunken Irish dudes and some Euros, are all good sports and making the most of the situation.

That's Bad:Miller Lite, red wine, and Hendrick's gin are not a good mix.

That's Good:The power comes on! Next day, South Beach comes back to life.

That'sBad:But there's still a curfew. Now, most of the Euro tourists have relocated elsewhere in Florida, and filling the hotel rooms are South Florida residents without power. These folks are cranky and no fun!

That's Good:By Wednesday, South Beach is really coming around. And the White Sox win the World Series.

That's Bad:Our plane was supposed to leave on Tues. but has been postponed til Thursday. Which is fine, but Montie was supposed to leave on Monday, the airlines are kinda being vague about when he will get out, and his pay depends on where and when he works.

That's Good:South Beach bars decide to flaunt the curfew somewhat, so we have some drinks and chill out again.

That's Bad:Thursday, we finally have to leave.

Miami is awesome. I would move there tomorrow if given the option.

Books not to read on vacation: Everything is Illuminated. Fucking depressing Holocaust stuff wrapped in overly pretentious writing.
From Pieces to Weight - tales of child drug dealers, even if said child turns into 50 Cent, are also depressing.

posted by jamie @ 10:43 PM