OK, so my trip to Florida was much different than I anticipated. I was looking forward to going out every night and really living it up, but in the end I found exactly what I needed…to slow down and reconnect with myself.
[click to see pictures]
Day One
I woke up early on Tuesday morning to head to the airport. The bus was running late, so I had to speed things up by taking a cab to the Addison blue line. When I got there I had to wait for a little while before a train came, which made me pressed for time. I finally got to the airport and was running really late. Of course I couldn’t get through security without running into an issue. Although the line was only 3 people long, the woman who was doing the security check decided that I was a terrorist and needed to be fully inspected. I had to take off my shoes, belt, and sweatshirt before she let me go through the gate.
Finally, I got through security and to my gate with 7 minutes to spare. My flight was pretty good, and weather was perfect. Three hours later I touched down in Ft. Lauderdale, where I grabbed a cab and headed to my hotel. On the way there I saw first hand the destructive aftermath of Wilma. There were trees 3-4 stories tall that were completely uprooted and moved, billboards twisted and throw aside like tinfoil, and buildings flatted by the intense winds of the hurricane. It was sad, yet fascinating.
When I arrived to my hotel I checked in, and then left immediately to explore my surroundings. I walked down Ft. Lauderdale Rd. and enjoyed the sun. My destination unknown, I passed the International Swimming Hall of Fame, which was cool because it’s where a lot of swimming and water polo events still happen. Not to mention the people running around in their swimsuits make the scene quite nice.
By the time I got back my friend was already at the hotel and we went to got something to eat in the hotel restaurant/bar. It was kind of cool, because it's underground and right next to the hotel pool. Through the windows you could see people swimming around. We finished and I head back to my room where I crashed.
Day Two
Woke up early and was at Sebastian Beach by 10am, and surprisingly there were very few people on the beach—maybe 10. I laid out for a few hours, and thought a lot about my life, being unemployed and how I’m going to fix it. I know it sounds cheesy and wannabe poetic, but sitting there by the beach, watching the waves and listening to the soft sounds of the ocean completely relaxed me and I felt at one with myself. I felt so relaxed I took a nap.
After my nap, I walked over to Café Del Mar where I had some lunch. The food was OK, but the view was amazing. I head back to the hotel, took another psuedo nap, and then did some laps in the pool area. The pool was pretty entertaining because there were a group of New England football fans visiting from Boston. They were loud, obnoxious and totally drunk off their asses. One stocky guy took of his shirt to expose a tattoo that I think was suppose to be his kids, but it looked more like Beavis & Butthead. They eventually settled down and went to their rooms, and so I followed they're lead and headed back to my room to get dressed to go out.
That night I went out to the bar and had a REALLY good time, despite the $25 cab fare. My first stop was this store called “Tops&Bottoms”, which is a cool little clothing boutique in the center of Wilton Manors. From there I went to a restaurant called Tasty Thai, which wasn’t so tasty and was kind of expensive. However, it didn’t seem to matter, because I was enjoyed listening to the Dutch guys sitting next to me talk in their native language. I jumped over to Java Boys, which is a cool little video coffee house. They play music videos on televisions all over the front room, and have a bunch of soft chairs to lounge in. I got a Grande Americano and plopped down with one of the local magazines. Before long I was chatting with Bob, who was an older gentleman sitting next to me. He then introduced me to Ed, who was this gorgeous Latino guy that was a very friendly and gave me the lowdown on all the clubs and what Ft. Lauderdale had to offer.
From the coffee shop I headed over to the bars, drank $1 beers, and dance my booty off. I even got to watch a local talent show, which was tragicly entertaining . I stayed for a few hours and met some cool people, and then headed back to my hotel. However, not before making a stop at 7-11 for some snacks…Honey BBQ twists, a turkey sandwich on 2-day old bread, a Pepsi, some little candies, and some other crap you don’t need at 3am
Day Three
The entire trip I was determined to watch the sun rise. REGARDLESS of being tired, I got my butt up to watch the sun come up. However, it was a complete overcast, so I didn’t see a damn thing. I went back to bed, and then got up at noon. The hotel bed was so soft and twice as big as the one I have back home, so I slept like a baby. Plus when I looked out the window all I saw was the ocean and palm trees. Totally awesome!
Just past 12:30 I finally got ready and headed back to the beach. Everyday I started my walk to the beach with “Cool” by Gwen Stefani playing on my iPod. It just seemed to fit the mood.
Thursday was an interesting day at the beach, because of all the hotties and some women who went topless. There were also some rather large folks, one guy in particular, who were sun bathing right next to me. I felt bad, because I could over hear some rude guys talking smack about them.
I got back to the hotel and headed down to pool area, where even more New England fans were hanging out. The pool was LOUD with everyone talking with their Bawstin accent. When my friend called me, I insisted he come join me and people watch. We sat there for about an hour ragging on all the white trash, pointing out the cute ones, and getting tipsy on over priced beer.
After we got bored and ran out of people to rag on, we headed to this fancy seafood restaurant called Fifteenth Street Fisheries that apparently only the locals seem to know about. Off the beat and trail, this New England influenced restaurant won my heart with great food and an amazing view. We sat by the window, and even thought it was dark I could still see the huge yachts and lights from the bridge. I had Monk Fish which is a Florida favorite, and a really flavorful pinot noir. The ambiance of the restaurant was kind of kitschy, but I loved it.
My friend drove me home, we said our good-byes and I headed back to my room…well, that was before I heard a band playing in the other room adjacent to the lobby. I walked over, where about five people were hanging out listening to a cover band. I sat down at the bar and started to chat with the bartender. He told me about all the New England Patriot fans who were in town, the damage he had from the hurricane, and Chicago. At one point he even mocked the Boston girls who come in and order margaritas: “How the hell can you forgot the R…’I want a maga-ita” he said. Hee hee, I crack up everytime I think about our conversation. Man, that guy was cool.
Then this guy from Cincinnati came in. He was drunk off his butt, slurring, and ripping on the football fans. He sat right next to me and kept trying to talk to me. He told me he owned a $15…no $20…no$40 million dollar company back in Ohio, and that he travels “all over the world…all over the world…mmkay.” He was messing with the bartender too, and would drunk whisper to me “this bartender sucks” as the bartender was standing right in front of us. I just sat there smiling as the bartender shook his head. I even got in a scattered discussion about George Bush, the medicinal usage of marijuana, and the economy with this guy. He wished me luck with finding a job, and asked me to go back to his room and smoke ‘weed’. OK dude, you’re just weird. I declined his offer, he made a puckered smirt, and then stumbled off. After he left I sat there with the bartender and ragged on the guy while I finished my drink.
Back in the room, I finished packing, watched a little TV, and fell asleep.
Day Four
Friday morning I got to the airport in plenty of time, boarded the plane and headed back to Chicago. Everything went so smoothly, and even on my ride on the EL I was completely at ease. I had my music, Grande Americano, and I was happy. I felt recharged, and my spirits rejuvenated.
