Alligators and Thanksgiving

Earlier in the week we went on a trip to the Everglades to see alligators and a boat trip around Miami. We were driven about all day in a little mini bus.

We went on a airboat trip around the Everglades and saw a few alligators including babies out in the river. (The Everglades aren't a swamp as such but a series of rivers apparently) the airboat went quite fast in places and I was a bit scared.

We then saw an animal show, which basically involved a bloke showing us a scorpion, toad, lizard & alligator. I've got more photos on my actual camera but I can't upload those until I get home. Below there should be a photo of a baby alligator. For lunch I had the alligator tail platter. It was like KFC but more chewy. Yep like just about every kind of unusual meat, alligator tastes a bit like chicken!

We were then driven back to Miami to go on our boat trip. The boat took us to see various islands including Fisher and Star island. It was mainly to see the homes of the rich and famous. Jase took lots of pics which I'll link to when we get home. But below is a photo I took of Miami Beach Marina.

When we got back to the hotel we had champagne and chocolate strawberries waiting for us in our room as a honeymoon gift from the hotel.

The next day I unfortunately got food poisoning, probably from the raw eggs in a chocolate mousse I had at a steak restaurant. So spent 24 hours in a lot of pain and unable to eat. The first meal I ate was Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday evening at the hotel. I couldn't eat a great deal but managed to enjoy the Thanksgiving fare especially the mac and cheese. We then watched Charlie Brown, a Thanksgiving TV tradition.

On Black Friday, we went to Macy's shopping. Black Friday is like the US version of our January sales. Anyway Macy's on South Beach wasn't busy and I picked up a few bargains, a red handbag, purple purse, and two pairs of jeans for less than £60!

I still wasn't feeling 100% until today when we went to the News cafe and I managed to eat a lasagne and share a slice of Key Lime Pie with Jase.

Sunset walk

We've had a few lazy days over the weekend and today. We spent Saturday on the hotel's beach. We had sun loungers and umbrella plus waiter service which meant I got to eat a huge hotdog on the beach. We have done a lot of walking around South Beach most days.

Our hotel is hosting the annual NASCAR awards ceremony tonight after this weekends NASCAR final in Miami. I've probably been sitting next to NASCAR drivers maybe even this year's champion but I wouldn't know it! This morning there were NASCAR cars parked out the front of our hotel along with a big broadcast truck.

This evening I went for a walk at sunset through Lumus Park and took the photos below of the view to our hotel, the beach and Ocean Drive.

Tomorrow we're off to the Everglades and a Miami boat trip.

Miami

We arrived safely in Miami 2 days ago. We had a marvellous flight out. The Concord Lounge at Heathrow was very fabulous - waitress service & lovely food. We saw Elvis Costello in the lounge too.

First class on the plane was wonderful the food exceptionally good. I changed into my BA pjs and watched the Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

We arrived in Miami early and had a smooth journey through immigration. The hotel is fantastic. Our room has a private balcony With chairs and table. We overlook the pool and beach. Below are some photos of the beach and views from our room.

My first thought and experiences of Miami Beach and the USA are:

Everything comes with cheese
I saw a fire hydrant shooting gallons of water into a street, just like in a cartoon or US comedy!
The TV is hilarious totally unintentionally - my favourite advert is for "Forever Lazy" a fleece romper suit for adults. The ad says it has "front and back flaps for your convenience!"
Everyone says "You're Welcome" automatically which my niece Lucia would approve of as she always says that too!
I've been in a "yellow taxi."
I've never seen so much art deco in my life - I love art deco so I'm in art deco heaven!
I've eaten a twinkie bought from a drug store and proper American burger from a place called 5 napkin burger (unlike other burgers you need more than one napkin if you eat a burger from 5 napkin - that's right you need 5 napkins!)

After gorgeous weather yesterday we've had rain and wind today. I made the most of the bad weather and booked into the spa for a massage, which was great really relaxing!

Tomorrow the weather is set to improve so it's back to sunshine.

America

I'm writing this while on the plane flying out to Miami so won't upload it until I'm there. I've been very excited about going to Miami. I've been listening to salsa & Latin music to get me in the mood. I've been planning what I'm going to wear on the beach & when people watching. I even got in the mood by drinking mojitos.

What only struck me a day or so ago is that this is my first trip to America, well to the USA part of North America. I decided to make myself a playlist of my favourite US music which has stirred up some interesting feelings and thoughts. The playlist contains 70 songs all guitar based & mostly alternative rock or country / blues. There are reoccurring themes within the songs of motorbikes, travel, oppressive small towns, cowboys, drinking beer and the American Dream. Bob Dylan has the honour of having the most songs on the list. 2 featuring him, one cover (Hendrix's All along the watchtower) and a song by his son (one head lamp.)

Listening to the songs has made me think about what it means to be visiting America? American culture is hard to escape anywhere in the world but in Britain it's almost second nature. I grew up watching Sesame Street and the muppets as well as Scooby Doo and the Flintstones. American music was and is everywhere, as are American films and TV programmes. I even studied American Cinematography at University, my favourite term was the one devoted to the Western. I didn't study British Cinematography the next year. I love British cinema, I wanted it to stay that way so chose not to study it.

I have a Pop culture view of America, formed by the X Files, Buffy, Twin Peaks, The Simpsons, sitcoms like Roseanne, cowboy films and Stephen King novels. I know the reality will be far more prosaic but I can't wait to eat fruit pie in a diner. I'll be disappointed if the waitress isn't called something suitable like Darlene!

I want everything to be bigger, louder, quirkier and more colourful than in the UK. I'm expecting a country of extremes, a marmite place full of things I love or hate. I'm hoping for more of the love though! I think visiting Miami will be an interesting glimpse of America, one watered down by the Latin and European influence. The perfect appetiser for my one day longed for road trip along the west coast and into cowboy country!

Wedding bells

Jason and I got married on Friday! We had a wonderful day. Even though we had a very small wedding it was a long day. I was at the hairdressers by 8:15. My hairdresser did a fantastic job, even sweeping my hair back in a "Victory roll" which looked great!

I was 5 minutes late to the register office but that seems to be a given for the bride. After the 2 minutes silence our wedding kicked off. It was a lovely ceremony though I did get the giggles when saying my vows.

We then went to the Black Horse pub to have a wonderful meal. Below is a picture of my desert both Jason's and my desert had congratulations written in chocolate on it.

We'll be off on honeymoon to Miami soon but for the first few days of married life I'll be on holiday just relaxing.

I can't quite get over how generous and kind our friends and family have been since we got married. We've had such thoughtful messages, cards & presents.

My wedding day was so magical I cant wait to get all our family together in December and celebrate again!

Below are some photos from our "big day"