We are back from a lovely break to Miami. Sun and sand, then some misty rain--good food, a visit with family, and it all equals a great break.
We aren't habitual "spring-breakers," so even a three-day getaway was a real treat. Not unexpectedly, the highlight was seeing the girls enjoy the beach and pool.
Other highlights:
1. Ada has turned into a little mermaid, swimming strong in the water. She can float and swim well underwater! A great accomplishment from a girl who couldn't get her face wet last October.
2. Cuban food. Plantains, rice, chicken, pork, garlic. Ah! I must try to cook some of this myself.
3. Esme surprised us with her language skills. On our first afternoon there, Esme was approached by a little girl in the pool. Somehow, Esme recognized that the girl was speaking French (she was!), and so Esme launched into French herself, saying, "Je m'appelle Esme." (My name is Esme.) Baby French being what it is, the girl answered with "Quoi?" (What?) Esme continued to repeat herself, and since her French is limited, so was the potential friendship. Regardless, it was amazing to hear. Especially because Esme changed the pronunciation of her name from our Anglicized (Ez-mee) to the French (Es-may).
We have spoken a little French and Spanish with her, and she's picked up some phrases from Dora and from Hi-5. But who knew she understood it this well?
4. Our hotel, the Sagamore, bills itself as "an art hotel," and it is. It's a gallery in itself, filled with provocative and pleasing displays of art in all media, from digital screens to sculpture to collaborative projects in the stairwells. What a pleasure it was! The picture above is of the girls in one of the many gallery areas of the hotel.
5. I am not now the svelte creature I have wished to be, and yet, I had a wonderful time despite my misgivings about being in public in a bathing suit. South Beach may be reputed to be home to the super-fit and glamourous, and there were some beautiful people around. But, as in all places, people appeared in all sizes and shapes, and they were all lovely in their respective confidence. By the end of the trip, I was no longer expecting the thin police to step from behind a palm tree to ticket me for being fat and ugly. In fact, instead of being disheartened about not being a skinny-mini, I feel excited about continuing my workouts and enjoying just being me. This is progress, and definitely a highlight of the trip for me personally.
All in all, a wonderful trip! Now, tell me about your vacations!
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