Blogs from Miami, Florida, United States, North America - page 3

Our main activity for today was going on a culinary tour of Little Havana. We were able to sleep in and then navigated our way to Domino Park to find the one available free parking space. Soon, we met up with our guide Marie and 12 other guests. As we walked through little Havana, Marie shared historical concepts and her explanation of Cuban cuisine including fruits and vegetables. Our first stop was to enjoy an empanada and a Cuban coffee. Both were very good. Following that, we visited a cigar store and were able to see the process of rolling a Cuban style cigar. We were shocked at how expensive they were but learned about various grades of tobacco and how cigar smokers progress from mild to more strong blends. As we continued on the tour, ... read more

We arrived in Miami, after the five hour flight from Lima, to pouring rain. We'd had an early morning departure from Lima, early enough that the taxi ride from our hotel to the airport only took half an hour rather than the expected one hour. Naturally though, when we got to the airport half the world was already there, eager, like us, to fly off to places new. Before I recount what we've been doing in Miami, a word or two about taxi drivers in Lima. They're mad! Everyone drives as though there's no tomorrow; hardly anyone bothers to use a blinker to let other drivers know they intend to change lanes, indeed they just whip in and out between other cars who are speeding along with only a hairs breath between each other. Miraculously it ... read more

Greetings from Miami When plans go awry... Got a call from Mom just as Dad and I were about to load the car and head to the airport, with plenty of time to make my original 3pm flight. Apparently, that flight was cancelled, but I still haven't been contacted by the airline to let me know. We even verified that they had my correct contact info on file! Why they contacted Mom instead, we may never know... Anyway, we live about two hours from the airport, and while we made it to the airport before my new flight (kindly booked by my travel agent, seeing as the airline decided it would be a great idea to just reschedule me for the next day, meaning I would arrive a day later than the rest of the group ... read more

We made it to Miami after an overnight flight. The main group is already headed to Havana, but I'm taking a slightly later flight. I'm reflecting on this coincidence of fate that we will arrive in the midst of a week of public mourning and remembrance for Fidel Castro. We're not sure what to expect. We've heard that for the next few days (until his ashes are buried on Dec 4) there is no music, dancing, or public performances. We had several concerts and events scheduled so we'll see whether any of it is possible. At the same time, we'll have the opportunity to witness this historic moment first hand. I'll know more soon....... read more

24 Ağustos 1989 - New York, Miami USA Aşk acısına ilaç olarak 22 yaşındayken Amerika'da "cruise" (yolcu) gemilerinde çalışmaya karar verdim. Kendi imkanlarım doğrultusunda hiçbir şekilde tanımadığım bir insana borçlanarak yollara düştüm diyebilirim. Tanımadığım ama isminin Yücel olduğunu bildiğim kişi beni New York'ta bekliyordu ve Türkiye'den getirdiğim Hürriyet Gazetesi'nden beni tanıyacaktı. Açıklamanaz bir şekilde tanımadığım bir insana kavuşmanın heyecanını yaşadım. Miami uçuşunu kaçırmıştım ve olmayan İngilizcemle ne yapacağımı bilemezken onun ağzından Tülay sesini duymak beni çok mutlu etmişti. Uçağım kaçmıştı, param yoktu ve ilk olarak ona ne yapacağımu sordum. O da beni aldı ve Panam Havayolları'nın danışmasına götürdü ve biletimi göstererek benim suçumun olmadığına ikna etti ve bir sonraki uçuşa hem bana hem de kendine bilet aldı. O anda o kadar mutlu olmuştum ki Miam... read more