US Diaries: Florida

It’s been two months and five days since I arrived in the United States for work. That is crazy. I have no idea where the time went. And to say that we only have six months and like a week left is totally surreal. I don't have a lot of free time on my hands to do blog updates and also not to do them very well, but it's at least something for now...

The first thing I can mention about Florida is that the weather sucks (in my opinion). It’s hot and humid and rains at random. And since we worked outside a lot, we got wet so often and it just wasn't my cup of tea. I know, I KNOW, I shouldn't complain about Florida because I'm actually lucky to be in America in the first place.

Our first spot was Miami. I didn't get to see a lot of Miami 'cause we worked long hours, but the overall vibe was pretty cool and the actual carnival was amazing - the biggest I've ever seen in my life. It apparently had a total of like 200 rides and I probably only went on fifteen or something. While we were in Miami, everyone went to South Beach on their off days; I didn't go because it felt like too much of a mission to get there (by bus) and the days we had off, I just wanted to sleep. In the beginning it was really hard for me to adjust to the long hours. One thing really awesome about Miami: the sunsets! They were almost always pink, purple and orange. It felt pretty great to be a part of a big event like that and looking back, I kind of miss it even though we worked our butts off.

Fireball

 Miami

 Miami Sunset

Another Miami Sunset

After Miami, we went north to a small town called Eustis. This town felt a bit more like we were actually in a different country in comparison with Miami. It's a very swampy area and reminded me of those reality shows on TV where the people catch fish and alligators and snakes in the swamps. It was exactly what I expected some parts of America to be like!

While we were in Eustis, I finally got to go to the beach. We left early one morning and took the hour-and-a-half long drive to Daytona Beach. It was a stunning beach. The sand was white and really clean, there were cute shops and a big wheel. And you could rent two chairs and an umbrella for the day. The water was also warm enough to swim unlike the Atlantic Ocean where I live.

Work-wise i learned a lot; it was the first spot where we did all the tickets and wristbands for the fair because in Miami one of the other units handled it. So it was really exciting to get to know my actual job! Overall i think Eustis was a good spot.

Sunset on our drive from Miami to Eustis

 Eustis Fair Grounds

Daytona Beach

Our third spot in Florida was Viera. I didn't like Viera at all. The only good thing about it was that we were able to go to Cocoa Beach which was only a thirty minute drive. Even though I prefer Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach was still a nice beach. The best part is the awesome clothing stores they have nearby where you can buy all kinds of beachwear and clothes and souvenirs. Although we later found out that this beach, which is in Brevard County, has one of the highest shark attack rates in the world and there was an actual shark attack during our two-week stay. In my opinion they should have the flag system we have in Fishhoek, South Africa to warn people if they spot sharks; quite strange actually that they don't have one.

The actual spot where the fair was held is right next to a Baseball stadium. So the rides are set up on a big open field. The area wasn't that bad - in actual fact it was a clean, sunny, rich area - but I think the overall vibe wasn't that great and by that time I was so over Florida.

We'll be back in Viera the end of the season - November - and I really hope that we'll be able to go to Disney World then.  

 Water Tower of Cocoa on the way to Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach

We’ve been working what feels like non-stop ever since we got here, but I think it only feels that way because we work such long hours. I think I’m at that point though where I’m slowly settling into this lifestyle. For a while I missed home and my comfort a lot, but I'm getting more and more used to this environment – which is a lot to get used to. And also I do occasionally speak with an American accent but only so my American co-workers understand what I'm saying and not because it's rubbing off on me, I swear.

I'm really glad I made the decision to come work here in America...I'm learning a lot about life and people and as always, myself. I also met someone really special on this exciting journey, which was the last thing I expected to happen, but when you look back at how events unfolded through the process of getting here, you realise it is all meant to be.

Our current spot is Antioch which is a fifteen minute drive from Nashville, Tennessee. But I'll have more on that in my next blog update. I'm also planning on doing a blog about how different America actually is to South Africa.

Until next time.