I went to Miami for a quick getaway over my Thanksgiving break. I was so incredibly blessed to have sunny 80 degree weather every day. I got to Miami early Tuesday morning and while I waited for my hotel room, did some work on my laptop in the lobby. Before lunch, I was able to check in to my room and then went out for lunch. The hotel was in a great location for kosher food, about an eight minute walk from a large number of restaurants. After lunch, I worked another few hours but I was able to visit the beach for a bit in the middle. Then I logged off for the rest of the week and was officially on vacation. I went out for supper and then bought yogurts for the next few days’ breakfasts. Then I got back to my hotel and went to bed super early as I was soo tired out from the early start to my day.
The next day I woke up super early (5 am! I slept 9-5 which was soo restful) and got a head start on my day. The hotel had beach chairs and towels to borrow, and I was on the beach by 9 and stayed out until lunchtime. I simply sat in the chair with my lovely new Kindle and soaked in the sun. I have to say, the Kindle made reading on the beach so. much. easier. than reading from a physical book. I went out for lunch, then returned to the beach for another few hours before going out for supper. (Does this sound a little repetitive? It was — not in a bad way). After supper, I bought a packaged wrap for the next day’s lunch, and then went to bed early again.
My third and last day, I got up early again, and was on the beach by 8:30. I decided to aim for an eight hour beach day, just like a full day of work (rest is just as important!). I had frozen water bottles and wrapped them with the turkey wrap in a towel for insulation, so I had that with me in my beach bag for lunch. I finished Table for Two by Amor Towles and started The Women by Kristin Hannah. I stayed out until it started to get shadowy at 4:30. After some time in my hotel room, I went out again for supper. A friend and her family were in Miami for the weekend and I met up with them after supper and hung out for a couple of hours, which was so nice (as I had been very solitary for three days). Finally I went to bed (quite late) and got up at 4:30 for my Uber to the airport at 5! And I was home for Shabbos.
It was so lovely and I feel very fortunate to have been able to do this. When I went out to eat for supper, I asked to be seated outside every night as how many opportunities will I have to enjoy a meal outdoors until spring? My two favorite meals on this trip were the grilled cheese and tomato soup at Rustiko and Cobb salad at Kosh.
I hope you have the opportunity to do nice things for yourself this winter!
