A Snapshot

We are on the 34th floor overlooking Biscayne Bay in South Beach Miami. The hotel is equipped with 3 restaurants, an enormous gym,an outdoor running track, an outdoor heated pool (with towel service and cabanas), spa, etc. The funny thing that you notice about South Beach, right away, is that anything goes. There is no standard. You can not overdress; you can not underdress. As you walk outside the hotel, and past the valets, you step onto the boardwalk. You can walk down past the fountains, and the park, where they have live entertainment every night. Next to the bay there is a large area with sand, palm trees, and chairs (under each tree). You could sit here for hours and just watch. The breeze is always coming off of the bay, the sun is hot, and the palm trees are rustling. Sounds exotic, but remember this all surrounded by huge sky rises, and concrete. The culture is an amazing mix. As I sat reading, under my own chosen palm tree, I saw people walking back burdened with large shopping bags from elite stores; I saw business people taking their lunch under their own chosen palm tree; and right next to them a man digging through the trash for someone's discarded, half eaten sandwich or unfinished drink. There are businessmen on their cell phones, couples on vacation, waiting for their cruise ship to leave, and there are homeless people sleeping on the grass. And of course there is an enormous majority of Latino's. Everyone speaks Spanish. It is odd to see all of this together, I mean right next to each other. Anything goes. We have had wonderful meals; I had my first Cuban coffee; we have shopped, we have laid in the sun, and we have worked out in the gym. The hotel staff will cater to your every whim, (and will charge you triple for each one). Once you get used to all of the people, you realize that you have to make your own privacy, and then it it is all quite relaxing.
Race and I have been able to spend some time together, and now, his work is done until we reach home. We are trying to work it out so that he can see the kids for a night before he has to catch his next flight. I have been able to get my lesson plans done for the rest of the school year. I am really missing the kids, and can't wait to see them. BUT-This is NOT a place that my children would enjoy much. You could really drop a lot of $$$ here, very quickly, and people do. I can't help thinking......use that money and got to Hawaii, for crying out loud!
I am glad that Race and I took this opportunity, and even with him working for part of the time, we have gotten to spend time together. And from the looks of things, he will be gone right through August. Ugh.
Well, I writing from The Club in the hotel. I am going to do a quick blog run, check emails, and then I will write again when I am settled back home.
Chow! (We ate Italian today)
Melissa