magic on sunday: found in miami
hello from miami where i am dousing myself in vitamin d. at present i’m poolside typing this on my phone, but rest assured, i have enjoyed some phone-free time while i nap under the sun. my back is to the pool as the sun is starting to move west, and i keep suddenly getting cold because it's playing hide and seek with the clouds. a family of 8 has just plopped down right beside me. the children are older, and we’re all laying so close, you could easily mistake me for the wife of one of the sons.
i was here in november to teach, and i’m here now doing the same thing. it’s a different class this time, but i’m staying at the same hotel, eating at the same places i ate at in november, and seeing the same local miami friends (hi, jorge!). i have this little routine now, which i think i like. the waitress at my favorite restaurant sat me at the same table i sat at in november, a little one by the window that’s perfect for a solo diner. as she led me there, i told her, “oh, this is where i sat last time i was here in november!” and she told me that she thought i looked familiar.
i guess i’m a local now.
the thing i like about solo traveling is the lack of agenda, or pressure to fulfill any sort of expectation. i was in bed at 8pm on friday night indulging in cable tv and some rosé. but maybe i would have done that at home in brooklyn, too. the thing i like about getting older is finally understanding of the bliss of a friday night in, away from home or not.
where i’m staying, there’s a mix of condos and hotel rooms. the condos are mostly occupied by couples of retirement age that i’ve lovingly dubbed, “my old people friends.” they hang out by the pool in the early morning, the men smoke cigars, they occupy the hot tub, and i’m certain that their tiny dogs that ride around in strollers are the most spoiled in the country. i'm willing to wager that they've learned the secret of life.
it’s been on my mind a lot this trip - the weird feeling of being so comfortable in a place that is not your home. but as i thought about it more, knowing my birthday month is quickly approaching, i feel the most “me” that i’ve ever felt. i know who i am (to the strongest extent that i can), i can more easily say “no” to things that don’t bring me satisfaction or align with my values, and i’ve acquired the skills to bring me peace of mind whenever i need it.
this little trip alone reminded me that easy to feel so comfortable in a place that is not my home, when i remember that that i'm always home when i'm with myself.
magic on sunday: 02.25.18
not for me - fourth wanderers
now simple - hop along
passion - kino kimino
beautiful gurrls - ricky eats acid
next of kin - lucy dacus
muted beatings - albert hammond, jr
until sunday,
meghan