BONJOUR MON FRÈRE, ENCORE.  

I got to my hostel around two in the morning. The vibe was drastically different from the one in Austin. This place was rough around the edges and grimy. You know I am not one to complain. It can always be worse, right? My room was full of silent sleepers, so I tip-toed to the only open bed. Suddenly, this woman began ranting to herself. It was as if she was talking with someone else in her head, exactly like Gollum. After a few minutes of this, someone kindly requested that she shut the fuck up. She complied for a few minutes, but the demons in her mind must have returned. Diving into dreamland was difficult that night.

The following day I searched South Beach for espresso and a study spot. Satisfied with a few hours of work, I had to get some exercise. Luckily the beach was only two blocks from the hostel. On my way to the sands, I discovered Muscle Beach. My run was put on hold when I encountered this outdoor gym full of beautiful bodies. They had a wide array of gym equipment, so I popped off my shirt and got to work! People were on the outskirts of the gym, taking photos and watching us work out. It was quite the motivation to have an audience.

Feeling freaking fit, I proceeded to the beach and did my cardiovascular work. The last time I ran on a beach was on the other side of the country. It was Christmas day at Goat Rock Beach in Northern California. How drastically different these two experiences were. If there is a beach, I will run on it. Satisfied with myself, I grabbed a six-pack and spent the rest of the day oceanside. After a quick shower, I explored South Beach on my skateboard. There were no late-night coffee shops, so I ended the night studying at a local diner.

The next day, I packed my bag and started the trek to downtown Miami. Sunburnt, sore, sleep deprived, and supporting thirty pounds on my back, I boarded seven miles under that sizzling sun. The Venetian Bridge had incredible bike lanes, making my journey much more tolerable. Of course, I found a coffee spot and got my usual double shot. There was time to get a little studying done while I waited for my brother. We were reunited at last! My brother and I walked a few blocks to our dining destination.

I love hanging with my big bro because we always please our palates to the fullest. We decided to check out this Michelin-stared Korean steak house. Balling out was a must, and we agreed to do the grand tour, also known as the Steak Omakase. This included a ten-course tasting menu full of fabulous flavors. We had some serious steak action! I'm talking about forty-five-day dry-aged NY strip, Ribeye, Filet Mignon, American wagyu, and Japanese wagyu. That is just to name a few of the cuts. There was some superb side serving too. I loved the assortment of pickled vegetables, the egg souffle was fluffy as fuck, don't get me started on the anchovy consommé. Naturally, we paired it with a nice bottle of French wine. It was certainly a successful experience.

Afterward, we met up with Collin's homie for more food and drinks. I was adequately stuffed, but this next spot had dollar oysters for happy hour. This deal was unheard of! The gluttony continued, but I was not complaining one bit. After a few more courses and drinks, we made our way to the train. My two days in Miami were magical, but there was work to do in West Palm Beach. For several days, I'd be helping out at the wine shop.

Working at the wine shop was a wonderful experience. The collection of high-quality wines was something to marvel at. It was a carefully curated collection, and I loved being surrounded by it. Most of my time was spent driving around doing deliveries. While the home base was Palm Beach, I was able to explore some of the surrounding cities. The wealth out here is truly mind-boggling. No joke, I made a delivery to a fucking castle man. I even brought wine to some celebrities, but I cannot disclose who. Working with my bro was the best! It is always nice to have a few extra bucks in my pocket.

When I was not working at the wine shop, you would find me at the cafe tending to my studies. Subculture Coffee provided decent coffee and good study vibes. Most evenings, Collin and I would explore the local dining scene. My favorite evening was with one of Collin's sommelier friends at a French grill house. We had a fantastic spread of grub and some stellar bottles of wine. I love hanging out with sommeliers. After dinner, we skipped the line at the nightclub and entered through the back kitchen. One of the bartenders was the homie, and we shared a lovely red bottle at the bar's edge. The club was bumping that night, and we may have partaken in the festivities.

My last day began with a bike ride around the most affluent neighborhoods in West Palm. I had been around this area plenty of times, but the bike allowed me to absorb this place properly. I will admit, it was an immaculate display of wealth. Many of these properties are something to marvel at and deserve high praise. The architecture is articulate, and the landscaping is outlandish. Every hedge and blade of glass was trimmed to perfection. Despite the beauty, this is not a place I would ever want to live.

After the ride, Collin and I stopped at the grocery store across from his spot. We stocked up on ingredients because it was time for the chef to get to work. For dinner, I grilled up some chicken legs, steak, jalapenos, mangos, and pineapple. We also enjoyed some white rice, crispy garbanzo beans, and hard-boiled eggs. Luckily some of Collin's squad joined us because we had plenty of food. My favorite part of the evening was the selective sips of that herbal chartreuse. It was the perfect last night in Florida.

My morning train left at a reasonable time. Collin and I had enough time to grab a coffee before I skipped town. Bye big bro! Thanks for everything, as usual. The station was close-by, and boarding the train was simple. The second I sat in my seat, people started talking with me. While I do not mind random conversations with strangers, I did have some work to complete. Quickly and respectfully, I retreated to the diner cart and started my studies.