Today I woke up after a short night. The reason: constantly changing hostel guests in our 6-bed room. Hostels are really great for meeting people and being able to travel relatively affordably. On the other hand, it's quite difficult for me to have almost no privacy at night and to be constantly woken up.
Nevertheless, I made the best of the tired day with the other interesting hostel guests. Admittedly, breakfast culture in the USA may not be the best and doesn't really keep you full for long.
The police are much cooler here than they are at home ;) By the way, you're allowed to cross the street on red here, the police don't mind at all.
Miami Beach Police
I was surprised to see that Americans also commemorate the Holocaust victims and draw attention to the brutal history of war. I visited the memorial with a Jewish woman who had family members murdered in the war. This situation made the Holocaust come even closer to me.
Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach
We also visited a botanical garden in Miami Beach. With the heat, there's no need for greenhouses for the most unusual plant species.
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Afterwards, it was time for me to say goodbye to the first hostel and the great people I met. Even though we didn't know each other for long and couldn't have been more different culturally, we still had deep conversations in the short time we had and understood each other so well on a level that saying goodbye was sad. But this way I can also practice living in the moment and letting go afterwards.
Opposites attract: Travel companion from Saudi Arabia And that something new and great can come after letting go was shown to me by my dear cousin Luzi and her USA-loving boyfriend Martin. The two are really crazy and decided to visit me in Miami for a week. Even though we didn't find each other right away because of the lack of cell phone connection, I was all the more happy to see them afterwards. Full of energy and enthusiasm, the two picked me up in a fancy white limousine to discover "Little Havana," a neighborhood in Miami.Luzi & Martin fresh and happy after a long flight Although I've never been to Cuba, I felt like I was right in the middle of Cuba in this neighborhood. The warm weather, the Cuban music. Cuban food & bars, as well as cigars, give the neighborhood its special flair. Three Germans in Little HavanaCinema in Cuban styleBar in Little HavanaLuzi & Kathrin on a Cuban joyrideMain street in Little Havana Despite the great style of the Cuban neighborhood, I was a little shocked after speaking with a Cuban who had immigrated to Florida (yes, I actually found one who speaks English ;) ). It's incredible what communism means for the people in Cuba. Everything is actually determined by the government, even the daily food is rationed and prescribed. No one can afford a car and the Cubans can only dream of free choice of profession. Slowly but surely, I understand why so many of them flee to Florida.Once again, I realize: We should be grateful for so much more in our Western world!In this sense, I'm now going to bed, full and grateful for the great visit!Luzi: Trying to be American ;)
