Woke up at 6:30 and couldn’t fall back to sleep so I got up and went down to the beach. Stood a while in the water and just enjoyed the moment in the sun and heat.
Strolled north along the edge of the water passing by people running, walking, exercising, and meditating. One even drank her morning coffee (I assume) while standing in the water. I also saw some work vehicles. One looks like a piste machine. And then two tractors that towed away a large piece of wood.
Kept on walking and left the beach, starting to look for some breakfast. Found a small store that had some packed sandwiches. That combined with a bottle of orange juice became today’s glorious first meal of the day. Headed back to the hotel, walking through a residential area where several hedges were watered by a pipe system. Rather nice and sophisticated, though I wonder how great the water supply is, I guess you don’t water with salt water?
When I got back to the hotel the t-shirt was soaked. I change into swimming trunks and headed up to the roof to the pool. Spent a couple of hours in and outside the pool, listening to a podcast. Followed up with a shower and change of clothes, then off to Downtown Miami.
I was going to try the bus but when it rolled up, there was a sign on the side of it stating that by law, I was required to use a facemask on all transit and hubs. The two other people at the bus stop were wearing masks so I didn’t dare to go on. I got frustrated since I asked the hotel receptionist last night if there were anywhere I would be expected to wear a mask and the response was nowhere in Miami. I also have facemasks with me, but at the hotel room a kilometer away. Two people from Amnesty approached me but before they could do their pitch I asked if they knew where I could get a face mask (didn’t want to walk back to the hotel in the heat). Luckey enough, Target where just around the corner.
Said and done, I got my face masks and went to the bus stop again. This time there was no sign on the side of the bus, and two people stepped on without wearing any masks, like the majority of the passengers. I put on the mask for the ride anyway and did a Google search. Found one statement that said that masks no longer were required. So it seems like I got a mislabeled bus, darn it.
I got off at Bayside and started to look for something to eat. Found Hard Rock Café so I got Peter a magnet and then had some pizza for lunch. Walked around, found out that Miami Tower seemed to have closed its observation deck, went a full lap on the Metromover Inner Line, and then ended up at Bayside again to escape the heat and have some dessert. Caught up on the last day’s news before ordering an Uber and then off to LoanDepot Park and the game between Marlins and Cubs.
I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be allowed to bring the magnet into the stadium but the only comment I got from the security staff was regarding my t-shirt (they thought it was funny). I took a lap around inside the stadium which I like to do if possible. I have mixed feelings about it not being symmetrical. Normally I appreciate symmetry but these baseball stadiums look pretty cool anyway.
My cap, which should tell people I’m from Sweden, worked. Stood beside a couple of cameramen and they asked if I’d come all the way from Sweden for this game, and the conversation took off!
Not the most exciting game but it had its moments (as far as I could understand at least). It seemed to be as many Cubs fans as Marlins fans which was a bit surprising, to me. And the stadium only had like 25% occupancy. The Uber driver, who had some real trouble getting to me because of police barriers following the game, said no one takes baseball seriously in Miami, though I would guess at least a few thousand would disagree with him.
Now I’m back at the hotel after stopping by a 7-eleven to get some breakfast for tomorrow. The bus for Key West is scheduled to pick me up at 6:50 and I’m not allowed to eat or drink anything else than water on the bus during the three-hour ride.
