miami review - the trip that almost wasn't
friday morning, we got up at our usual times and had a morning flight to catch down to miami. i was a bit ahead of schedule getting ready and packing, when i experienced such a pain in my lower back that i ended up on the floor not able to move. now, i have never been sure what people mean when they say "i threw my back out," but i could barely move and found myself wondering if this is what people mean when they say that. i couldn't lie flat, i couldn't stand up, i could roll over on my side.... i laid on my back on the floor with my knees bent and just cried.
all i was doing when this happened was putting my jeans on. that's it. no heavy lifting, no crazy maneuvering, nothing odd or out of the ordinary. just getting dressed like i do every day. anyway, jonathan brought me ibuprofen, some water, and a straw (thank god) and i laid there for about 30 minutes hoping the pain would ease so i could be on my way to the airport. the pain eased enough for jonathan to help me stand up. something along the lines of seven ibuprofen and jonathan holding on to me and carrying our two bags got me on the plane and to miami.
a two and a half hour plane ride of just sitting at a 90 degree angle helped a little bit. i still could not stand up straight or walk very far without stopping to sit. i was literally bent over like a hunchback or an 80 year old person who can't walk. i really can't describe how badly i hurt. after picking up the rental car, we hit up a drugstore for alleve, which i honestly believe got me through the weekend. without it, i think i would have had to rent a wheelchair or not go out.
despite the back pain, the trip was awesome. i’ll post notes about the party and music separately.
we stayed north of miami beach in sunny isles beach. (by the time i booked the trip, i couldn’t get a hotel down south for anything reasonable.) the hotel was nice - right on the beach and the room reminded me a bit of dewey in that there was a king size bed and a murphy bed, two tv’s, a small fridge and microwave…. it’s the kind of place that would be good if you’re sharing a room or if you have kids. the staff were friendly; the pool looked nice; there was a bar and grill outside by the pool overlooking the beach; they had chairs and umbrellas on the beach; and the valet parking was reasonable and super convenient.
we spent friday and saturday downtown at the party in bicentennial park. that was awesome. even after the first night i said it was well worth it. but i’ll post details of that next. by sunday i was able to walk better and had less pain, so we went down to south beach for brunch, shopping, and people watching. that was fun. we had brunch outside at a place right across from the beach with the biggest drinks ever. i had a banana daquiri and jonathan had a bloody mary. i almost texted a couple of friends to tell them i “clocked in” around noon. hehehe halfway through that drink i was already buzzed. i took the rest of it with me in a cup when we left. the food wasn’t the best, but the dj was spinning electronic music, we were sitting outside, and the show of people walking by was well worth it. after spending the afternoon wandering around south beach, we went back up north to nap, shower, change, and come back down to south beach for dinner.
originally, we had planned to eat at Touch, but after looking at their menu online, we decided to eat at Wish. i’ve been to both restaurants (while in south beach for stacy’s bachelorette party a couple of years ago), so i knew both were good. wish was perfect. it was quiet and romantic, candelight everywhere. we sat by the fountain, the service was impeccable, and the food was delicious! it was the perfect end to a really fun weekend.
now we’re back in DC. my back still hurts a bit, so i’ll probably see if i can find a doctor to see me in the not too distant future. and i caught a cold. i felt it coming on yesterday and by today it’s pretty full-blown. luckily i have the rest of today to rest. regardless, i had a fantastic time in miami and am glad i went.
all i was doing when this happened was putting my jeans on. that's it. no heavy lifting, no crazy maneuvering, nothing odd or out of the ordinary. just getting dressed like i do every day. anyway, jonathan brought me ibuprofen, some water, and a straw (thank god) and i laid there for about 30 minutes hoping the pain would ease so i could be on my way to the airport. the pain eased enough for jonathan to help me stand up. something along the lines of seven ibuprofen and jonathan holding on to me and carrying our two bags got me on the plane and to miami.
a two and a half hour plane ride of just sitting at a 90 degree angle helped a little bit. i still could not stand up straight or walk very far without stopping to sit. i was literally bent over like a hunchback or an 80 year old person who can't walk. i really can't describe how badly i hurt. after picking up the rental car, we hit up a drugstore for alleve, which i honestly believe got me through the weekend. without it, i think i would have had to rent a wheelchair or not go out.
despite the back pain, the trip was awesome. i’ll post notes about the party and music separately.
we stayed north of miami beach in sunny isles beach. (by the time i booked the trip, i couldn’t get a hotel down south for anything reasonable.) the hotel was nice - right on the beach and the room reminded me a bit of dewey in that there was a king size bed and a murphy bed, two tv’s, a small fridge and microwave…. it’s the kind of place that would be good if you’re sharing a room or if you have kids. the staff were friendly; the pool looked nice; there was a bar and grill outside by the pool overlooking the beach; they had chairs and umbrellas on the beach; and the valet parking was reasonable and super convenient.
we spent friday and saturday downtown at the party in bicentennial park. that was awesome. even after the first night i said it was well worth it. but i’ll post details of that next. by sunday i was able to walk better and had less pain, so we went down to south beach for brunch, shopping, and people watching. that was fun. we had brunch outside at a place right across from the beach with the biggest drinks ever. i had a banana daquiri and jonathan had a bloody mary. i almost texted a couple of friends to tell them i “clocked in” around noon. hehehe halfway through that drink i was already buzzed. i took the rest of it with me in a cup when we left. the food wasn’t the best, but the dj was spinning electronic music, we were sitting outside, and the show of people walking by was well worth it. after spending the afternoon wandering around south beach, we went back up north to nap, shower, change, and come back down to south beach for dinner.
originally, we had planned to eat at Touch, but after looking at their menu online, we decided to eat at Wish. i’ve been to both restaurants (while in south beach for stacy’s bachelorette party a couple of years ago), so i knew both were good. wish was perfect. it was quiet and romantic, candelight everywhere. we sat by the fountain, the service was impeccable, and the food was delicious! it was the perfect end to a really fun weekend.
now we’re back in DC. my back still hurts a bit, so i’ll probably see if i can find a doctor to see me in the not too distant future. and i caught a cold. i felt it coming on yesterday and by today it’s pretty full-blown. luckily i have the rest of today to rest. regardless, i had a fantastic time in miami and am glad i went.