South Florida 2025 - A First Look

 South Florida, truth be told, were not a group of friends going this was not a trip I would make. However, by flying Spirit Airlines, the very definition of an air bus, and sharing a reasonably priced Air BNB, the cost was palatable and I packed my bag. I would be seeing the Art Deco section of Miami, a second tier bucket list item of mine, as well as getting a taste of warm weather in May, which, in Chicago, can still be a bit on the cool side. 

In our commodious rental car we wound our way from the Miami airport to Sunny Isles, which bills itself as Florida's Riviera. Tall apartment towers rose like sentinels along the shore line. Some of the architecture is impressive and unique. A black tower curves outward on one side on it's upper floors, another has what somewhat resembles the Sydney Opera House perched on it's apex. One is perfect cylinder clad in reflective black glass. On others walls and balconies wind sinuously around their perimeters, Post Modern buildings erected in the 80's sport oversized details derived from classical periods, one of the hallmarks of that cultural moment in time. I try to distract myself from the fact that several of the resorts bear the name of a certain elected official. Impressive water features, fountains, cascading waterfalls, grace their frontages playing a game of aquatic one up mans ship.

Our condo is a more modest affair, a couple blocks back from the oceanfront, the development is a series of 6 story buildings set among tropical greenery. Palm trees, a group of which fill the courtyard of our building, stand tall, almost arrogant, there is a beautiful small parklike area where an orchid grows from the side of a mangrove tree. Surprising to me, there did not seem to be an abundance of birdlife, although one could hear the occasional trill. From our balcony we could see several of the more impressive ocean front structures staring down at us with a "not our kind dear" air. There were 2 of us sharing a generously sized one bedroom condo. The bed is an eastern king, which seems larger than the bathroom. Shared, it is like sleeping in two different time zones. 3 others are staying in a 2 bedroom condo in one of the oceanfront buildings which we would be visiting later in the trip.

We watched the sun set from a waterfront restaurant. A variety of boats sailed by. Driving to dinner we passed multi million dollar estates secluded behind gates and tall hedges. We shopped for a few groceries, some wine and bourbon, just the essentials. My day had begun at 4 a.m. Every portion of my body ached, my brain feeling as if it was becoming a liquid substance that would soon run out my ears. As my condo mate tried out the whirlpool spa in the development's pool area I sipped the bourbon and prepared for a sleep not unlike that of the dead. 

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