Travelfood

Florida is usually connected with sun and beaches, but this snout of the American mainland is much more than that. The art deco architecture of Miami is a sign of a flourishing time, which is either in the past or in the present. In Miami they have succeeded in combining old with new in a different way than in Europe, where big cities either have an old town or a new city instead of all of it mixed up. South Beach and Miami Beach are a must for tourists, locals and rich celebrities, but also the Cuban community in Little Havana deserves a visit.

From Miami you can travel either by bus or an organized excursion from the pearl band of one little island to another, along shorter or longer bridges, with the bluest of blue Caribbean by your side, all the way to the southernmost island, Key West. That paradise of free-spirited people, relaxed tourists and senior-citizens is enjoyed side by side under palm trees in old wooden villas. We snorkeled among fish and coral reef, we admired pelicans and enjoyed drinks as well as Key Lime pie (lemon pie) and pecan pie.

During our week in Florida our weight rose alarmingly. What can you do when you are served bagels with peanut butter, Cuban empanada pies and Cuban black bean stew, crab cakes, grilled snapper, Philly steak cheese sandwich and conch fritters (fried seafood)? In a huge shopping center we had Cajun food from a fast food franchise, and that day we were served fried chicken in whisky sauce, or Bourbon chicken as they called it.

I would also like to tell about the person who decided to buy condoms from a combined pharmacy and foodstuffs outlet store. The condoms were to be found in a locked glass locker and a button in front informed that by pressing the button you can have what you want from the locker. The button was pushed and the store was filled with an announcement from a loudspeaker telling the clients and personnel that “assistance is needed at family planning”. A young attendant emerged from somewhere, smiling broadly, and asked if he could be of assistance with the family planning. When he handed over the desired package, he informed that he was glad that he could be of help with the family planning.

I believe that the pope would be happy with the American way of family planning…

Florida, food, Miami, travel, travel experiences, USA