Last night I stayed at the Fairfield Inn Marriott in Doral (aka Miami West) since it’s near the airport. It’s nice – I recommend it, especially the business centre with free internet.
I didn’t wanna fork out $80 to take a cab to the beach and back at 6pm, so I asked what was nearby for me to hang out, grab some food, and kill some time. I ended up at the Doral Ale House. It’s a pretty typical pub with good beer, good eats, and good company.
It’s where I met Natalie and Eddie.
Natalie’s a commercial leasing agent, originally from Puerto Rico, and 32 year old single mom of two – a 9 year old boy and a six year old girl. Both are with their daddies this weekend. Eddie’s a 40-something State roofing contractor, in Miamy by way of Texas, whose 20-something year old son just came back from a 2 week vacation in Vancouver. They both love sushi. I’m putting them in the “good shit” column of people I know.
They both agree that people in Miami are generally rude and stand-off-ish, so it’s extra lucky that I ended up meeting them, else I’d have been sitting around all by my lonesome last night. Instead we sat at the bar and talked about Miami, Vancouver, Sushi, Grouper, Cars, Kids and beer. Then Eddie went home and Natalie and I went to Starbucks, where we talked about life in general, exchanged numbers and agreed to meet up on my way back out of town if I had time.
Both were really surprised that I wasn’t staying in South Beach or Ft. Lauderdale. That’s where all the tourists go. Though personally, I’d rather hang out and meet real people doing what they do every day, than a band of roving drunkards – which is what I’d get during Spring Break in South Florida.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I won’t aim for the touristy stuff on my way back. Or – speaking of which – even now. Must run, I have a date with flipper!
I absolutely love meeting local people while I travel — Glad your night in Miami was a good one!
Stay safe!