Day 199, Miami: Back in South Beach and enjoying luxurious budget travel.

I have a strange relationship with Miami. First of all, I don't seem to get out from South Beach because I like it so much. Second, I'm always sick here (pfff). But even if I'm sick I always manage to have a good time. Miami has already become to me like a hideaway from the real world, and a break between trips or chapters in my life. Last time it was to escape to the civilisation for a couple of days between Jamaica and Cuba, and I really made the most of it. This time, I'm here to take a break and clear my head between Cartagena and Paris. It is good because I don't think I could have handled arriving from Cartagena directly to Paris. Miami is my safe haven, I don't really belong here but it's nice to be somewhere in between and not to think about anything before facing my new life. 

Back in the US, everything is big and people overly polite. I just went to a convenient store/pharmacy/health center and was thinking that it would be great to live somewhere in the US for a year or two, just to experience the American way of living. After Colombia I was amazed: the place was so clean and organised and there was literally everything you could imagine, and more. For example following a specific diet must be so easy here when you have the overwhelming choice or products to buy. Apart from walking there and back, I haven't even been out of my hotel because there are two swimming pool areas and four different kind of restaurants and bars here. I'm staying at Catalina Hotel & Beach Club, and I love it. I came here for drinks during my stay in January and back then was thinking that it would be so nice to spend a night here. However, I thought that it would be way out of my budget but no. Yet another budget travel tip from me: sign up as a Genius member on booking.com. There was a 60% off promotion when I booked so I only paid 66USD. When I booked it I still had some money left, if I had to choose now I would probably just have stayed at Posh Hostel like the last time. But hostels here are expensive too so the difference is really not that big. Besides, they offer a free shuttle ride from the airport and back so I save at least 100USD on taxis! And so the place is just wonderful.

You may think that I'd have enough of swimming pools by now but no: I could never get tired and I'm extremely sad knowing that this is my last pool day.

So I'm sick, quite bad this time (but no worries mum, I'll survive). I think I have an ear infection, or at least I imagine it feels like this, I don't know if I've ever had one before. The whole right side of my head hurts and I can't hear anything. Great, right in time for my flights. It started in the morning of my last day in Cartagena but I was not too excited about spending my last day there looking for a doctor so I hoped that it would just go away. But it didn't. With high medication the flight yesterday was ok and I got to Miami. When the painkillers kick in I actually feel good, as long as I don't do anything too physical. I was not going to spend my day here either looking for a doctor (and then fighting to get reimbursed from my insurance) so I just hope the medication I have is enough and I'll survive until I get to see a doctor in Paris on Friday.

However, being sick at Catalina hotel is not that bad really. Besides the swimming pools areas, my bed looks like this:

Last night all I could think of was sleeping but since I felt ok I went for drinks (only to our downstairs terrace, Maxine's that is my number 3 favourite bar in the world) with my Miami friend, S. It was great to see him again, he really is the sweetest guy I've ever met. It was strange seeing him again though. On one hand, so much has happened since we were together in Miami in January, but on the other hand it feels like it was just yesterday. Great Virgin Strawberry Daiquiris, by the way.

​I was having a lot of fun practising how to look somewhat elegant again. I even have a hair dryer in my room. And hot water in the shower! And air-conditioning! I think it won't take me too long to get used to a western lifestyle again...

This morning sleeping late, and I figured I should maybe eat something even if I'm not hungry at all so I came to the rooftop terrace for late breakfast. Delicious. And American style, I have a basket with three times more bread and muffins than what you can see on this picture. And I'm not even going to eat those muffins, I just put them there for the picture. I think all this is around 15USD so it's not crazy expensive but it still hurts. No Colombian prices anymore...

Now I'm finishing this post, resting a little bit in the sun, and then leaving for the airport. Wish me luck for the flight!

​xx Emi

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