punch it chewie!!!

Miami, FL – A warm and clear sunny morning at Casa Del Umbay - figures that the best weather comes when I'm leaving

The weather in Florida can change in a heartbeat. Even in the absence of a storm, rain can come at any time.

After exiting Tampa, I made my way further down interstate 75. I decided to make a stop in Ft. Myers to check out the Red Sox training camp. But, when I got there, the sky opened up. It was the kind of rain that stops traffic in its tracks. The Integra was hydroplaning this way and that. Only ten minutes into the City of Palms, I found the entire ordeal nmot really worth it and turned around. I did see a very cool monster truck though.

Nearing the Everglades, I listened to my friend Pete Aguero’s comedy CD, “Graphicvulgarlunacy, Vol. II: Jacoby Appliance Parts” and was very entertained. Listen to some of his stuff at:

http://www.myspace.com/graphicvulgarlunacy

Crossing the Everglades (aka Alligator Alley), I was a little disappointed to not have seen any alligators. I expected to cruise past marshes and swamps, the likes I’d seen taking the 10 in western Louisiana, but no go. It was mostly just flat land and a bunch of trees. I found my way to Arleen and Greg’s place around 7pm or so. It was Taco Night at the Umbays’s, and Arleen, Sammy, Justin, and I ate chicken tacos and caught up.

Greg and Arleen had just arrived themselves in Miami only a month ago, after living in Tokyo for 3.5 years. I had stayed with them about a year and a half ago for a snowboarding trip to the north island of Hokkaido. During my time there, I also was able to explore Tokyo for several days as well as take the bullet train down to Kyoto and Hiroshima. Despite having been westernized in a big way, the culture in Japan is really different. When you go you get a better idea of what it is to be American.

Anyway, back in Miami, I slept in somewhat the next morning, loving Greg and Arleen’s inflatable bed, which is far more comfy than the one I’ve taken on this trip. Coffee talk. Sammy at school, Arleen, Justin, and I went to a neat Cuban restaurant for lunch. It was a little hard to decide what to get. It all looked really good.

I took the Integra over to a mechanic I’d found on the internet, which billed itself as “Honda Repair Specialists.” When I got there though, I found that the place was very plainly called “Service Auto.” In reality, they mostly worked on Japanese cars, although they were no Honda Hospital. I got an oil change, a new power steering belt, a tire rotation, and a brake inspection. The mechanic said he thought the Acura was in really good shape, considering it had 209,200 or so miles on it. I read a bunch of National Geographics waiting for my new belt to be delivered. Such amazing photography.

Pulling away, it felt like I was driving on air, the steering wheel no longer fighting every turn. Overall, the car felt a little less janky, happy to have had some TLC.

From there I made for South Beach. I drove some 20 miles or so before realizing that I’d been going completely in the wrong direction. Miami is a bad town to get lost in. There generally aren’t many helpful signs around to guide the uninitiated. On top of that, I’d say Miami has the rudest and most reckless drivers I’ve seen in these states. Miami drivers seem to me a cross between Boston and Puerto Rican drivers.

Once I had righted my course, it was too late. I was in the heart of rush-hour traffic. The highlight of the ordeal was a phone call from my good friend Zack back in SF. We caught up while I cursed the Miami gridlock. It took a very frustrating three hours to finally park my car at South Beach. Once I was there though, it was pretty cool. I got myself a margarita and a burger at a spot on Beach St, and then put my feet in the Atlantic. The ocean was warm and light aqua blue. I sat on the beach for a while and then went for a stroll around the art deco district. Pretty good, pretty good. Pretty neat, pretty neat.

Having finished my crash course, I got back to Arleen’s with no problems.

And now this morning. I had breakfast with Arleen and the boys. We talked about the differences between Japan and the US. I can only imagine the culture shock of moving from California to Japan, and then from Japan to Miami.

Simply put, the Umbays are some of the nicest and most considerate people you’ll ever meet. They made me feel very welcome in their lovely home, for the second time. I wish I could stay longer, but the schedule is calling. I’ll leave later this morning for the Ocala National Forest, about halfway up Florida. One night there and then Atlanta, GA.

To see all the Miami pictures:

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcMnLVq3aN2Gl

I feel like you’re all along with me in spirit.

More soon.

Andy