Arrived pretty late on a Saturday night in Miami. Had been trying to get in contact with Chris (connection from Cameron from austin). I was assured that this was my man to speak to for everything miami.
My first night I was on my own but funnily enough met a dude from 'the shire' who was only staying around the corner. We went and had beers and Mexican and chatted about what we could expect from Miami.... Nothing could have prepared me
After having heading back to the hostel for a few drinks at the broken shaker bar I called it a night around 3am.
Next morning I was stoked to see Chris had msgd me; he'd had a belter the night before. He swings by the hostel to pick me up and says "umm you might wanna chuck on long pants, might get cold later" ... Fair enough I thought but little did I know that I wasnt just going to some bar to watch the Super Bowl that night. Chris was taking me to the Soho Beach House.. A members only club equip with bars, restaurants, pools , you name it. This place was sick and really exclusive. I don't know how I was getting in these situations but I became content with just rolling out with a big grin. After a feed and a few tecates me and Chris were getting along Great. He introduced me to his amazing girlfriend Jordana and some other friends. A late edition being the gay version of tweedle dee and tweedle dumb !! These guys looked identically and were absolutely hysterical ! After sucking the tiki bar dry we headed up to the roof top where the game was going to be shown. Met some more cool peeps that were clearly used to doing this type of stuff every weekend. They seemed to get a kick out of my stories and the fact I knew I had no right being there!
Meeting Papi (owner of Papi underwear) his real name Alan and his wife; really nice people. Papi thrusting his medical grade cooch on me any chance he could , legend!
Amanda harris works for Papi and loved the idea of my travels so much she hooked me up with about 20 pairs of papi's ! Held onto to a few as most were fairly camp ... That is there target market!!
Anyway the Super Bowl was mind blowing the game was projected onto the surrounding buildings so you were basically watching the game open air on a 40ft screen.. Hectic!
Beers, buffalo wings, babes and a great game ! What more can you want!??
After the game Josh (tweedle dee) refused the idea of me staying at a "hostel" and insisted I stay at his on his sofa. A little hesitant at first however Chris assured me it was legit.. Other than a little harmless sexual innuendo it was sweet; possibly one of the most crack up guys I've met and with a heart of gold! His apartment was lush! Almost penthouse material and the decor explained his success as an interior designer .. over looking south beach place was pimpen !
Josh's reaction to the freehand hostel where I was supposed to be saying was priceless, he did not know that such an establishment existed, especially in Miami!
The next day went and checked out the beach with both Chris and josh and had an amazing lunch of seared tuna right on the bay. Even got to see p-diddy roll by in his massive silver cruiser ! Miami is another world - defines the lifestyle of the rich and famous. But Chris and josh were different; never took themselves too seriously so they were always great to be around.
That night josh invited me to a dinner where he was catching up with some old college friends, i was a little reluctant- but what else was I gonna do?? An amazing greek restaurant set the scene for possibly the most painful conversations of me life ... *awkward*
I was happy to know josh and Catherine felt similar afterwards , "that's Miami" they assured me. Catherine was lovely, invited me to spend the day poolside at the Raleigh hotel.(very infamous in Miami for its pool) of course I accepted.
On my last night josh and Jordana got us all tickets to 'the XX'. Jordana runs the events at soho house so is always getting these sweet hookups. It was sick and I kicked on with a couple of there other friends to a club.
Before flying out the next morning Chris took me out and shouted me lunch. As we were parting ways and me getting into my cab headed for Miami international I was almost welling up saying goodbye to Chris. Again another selfless person who basically showed an absolute stranger the time if his life, I will be forever grateful to him, josh and Jordana for everything they did for me in Miami.
The first hour of my flight I was complete overcome with emotion feeling so blessed to have met so many amazingly awesome and generous people. The hospitality I received was complete beyond my comprehension, really comforting to know there is genuine people like that out there and what better introduction to my traveling escapade.
But the fun and adventure was only just about to start; bring on the South America chapter - next Rio de Janeiro brazil - Carnivale baby!!