Florida Trip: Day One

Good morning everyone! I don’t think I mentioned it, but I’m in down in Florida this weekend for my cousins wedding.

Unfortunately, Lea and Baby O weren’t able to make it. Although I’ll miss them, it’ll still be a good time! Here’s how day one went down here:

Well, let’s start before day one. In Wednesday night I did my very normal routine of late-night-packing. I don’t know why I always wait until the last minute, it stresses me out, but it’s just how I am.

On Thursday morning (actual day one), after I woke up and did my normal shower/getting ready routine, I finished packing about 45 minutes before I had to leave my house. Of course, waiting until the very last minute had its challenges.

I couldn’t find my sandals and it felt like I was going crazy! I knew exactly where they were the last time I saw them. I swear they were in my closet underneath my shoe rack. They have always been there!

Last summer I didn’t use them. We didn’t go swimming or to the beach or anything, so I have no clue what happened. Thankfully, there was an old pair at my mom’s house I was able to grab. End-of-the-world avoided!

After I got to my moms, our driver picked us up and we finally headed to the airport to catch our flight. When we got there it was a fairly quick process. However, I can never seem to get through security without something going wrong. Remember last November when Lea and I went to California, and I told you all about being stopped at security because I had my tripod in my bag? Lol (it was for pictures, guys).

Well, this time I was stopped because I left my wallet in my pocket and apparently you’re not supposed to do that when going through the X-Ray machine. Give me a break! They act like my wallet is some kind of weapon. Yes, let me hurt people by throwing a very light wallet at them!

Anyways, I had to get back in line, put my wallet through its own X-ray machine, and then get back in line and go through myself. Thanks a lot, TSA. Losers.

After the annoying security experience, I finally got some food in my belly. First, I went to check out this place at the airport that had no line. I quickly realized why no one was there. Their breakfast sandwiches, just the sandwiches, were $16! It was insane. I turned around and went to Dunkin Donuts and got the same sandwich for half that price. I cannot believe they think people are going to pay for that.

Going to Dunkin did have a price though. Apparently they don’t sell water? Very strange. So the woman gave me a cup of ice lol it looked like such an idiot, but I took it anyways. Hey. I needed it.

Walking through the airport I found this cool store that had lots of Chicago sports hats. I saw a really cool Bears one that I wanted, but I resisted, Lea! Mainly because a) I already had a hat with me for the trip, and b) on Wednesday night I randomly found 6 new Bulls hats stored away in our basement that I didn’t know I had lol.

When we finally reached our gate it was time to sit and wait. There was a group of four sitting next to me and one of the guys was talking so loud. It was very irritating but I was trying to not get annoyed by people this weekend, so I ignored him the best I could lol

After what felt like an eternity of waiting, we finally boarded the plane. There was a dilemma, however. I wanted a window seat because I haven’t sat in one in years, but my mom didn’t want to sit in a middle seat, so she sat in the isle. Which left a seat between us open lol.

Out of everyone on that plane, of course we had to have this guy who was coughing the entire flight sit between us. It was disgusting! If you’re sick please stay off of planes. It was non-stop from the moment he sat down. I swear I feel like I was being tested that morning because I truly was trying to not get annoyed lol.

Besides that the flight was okay. Besides some pretty major turbulence. It got really bumpy and kind of scary for a few minutes, but it turned out okay! For a majority of the flight I was re-reading Superman: Up in the Sky. Gosh it’s such a great story. I can’t wait to finish it again.

Once landed we quickly got our luggage from baggage claim, found our Uber driver, and headed to our hotel. Of course, that didn’t go as planned. Our ride itself was fine, but it took almost two hours to get from the airport to our hotel. TWO HOURS!

I don’t know if that’s how long it normally takes, but I’m pretty sure it was supposed to be quicker than that…and it was such a boring drive. No view of water, just trees. It felt like I was driving through Indiana still.

When we finally arrived at the hotel, our family from back home was waiting for us. I quickly changed, got an adult beverage, and went and sat on the beach by myself lol. Hey, I see them all the time. I needed alone time!

It was really peaceful watching and listening to the ocean. At one point, some random guy walked up to me and started singing Mr, Lonely to me, and we laughed. He then saw my White Sox hat and asked if I was from Chicago. I told him yes, and he said “I figured from your hat. Minnesota. Go Vikings! F*** the Bears!” And then he ran away giggling. Very strange and random encounter, but I didn’t mind lol.

Once the sun was starting to go down for the night, we grabbed dinner with the rest of our family that had arrived for the wedding this weekend. People from all over came down for it and it’s so nice to see everyone!

Can’t wait to see what day two has in store.

Peter