Before the major sightseeing by foot, I concentrated more on other matters, such as shopping. We were lucky enough to be able to stay at Winston and Konny's place in Downtown Miami, with a short walking distance to main happenings of the weekend.
On Friday night, we also had a chance to see Miami Heat play against Detroit Pistons. The basketball match was like in the movies, although because of our seats, the players seemes much smaller.
It is a show! Very interesting entertainment - a surprisingly tiny part was about the actual game. The suspension was built by rhytmical music and shouting "Defence! Defence! Defence!"
There was programme all the time. During a break, a representative from one of the night's sponsors, Carmex, threw the ball and won 10,000 dollars.
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| No, we did not get to kiss on the screen. What a disappointment! :) |
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| The view during the break. And it wouldn't have been a proper match if I hadn't eaten a hot dog! |
After the game, we went out a bit.
Blue Martini is the favourite bar of some of our friends who live in Miami.
Saturday morning started with a brunch at the popular Acme Bakery in Midtown. While we were waiting for a table, we had a chance to look around. The area was filled with cute bakeries and brunch places.
The food was good, not amazing, though, but perhaps it was my problem as I might have had different expectations concerning brunch. The service, however, could have been faster - the coffee was already cold and orange juice gone when the food finally came.
Finally, we were all tanked up to go shopping and early to bed, because the next morning...
The main reason why we came to Miami, came the next day. The annual ING Miami Half Marathon. It took place on an early Sunday morning, January 27. The race started at 6 am but we had to be there even earlier ready at our spots.
Unfortunately of the event we don't have any pictures for the obvious fact that we had to leave the camera home. The feeling among tens of thousands of runners was unbelievable. Running on the bridges combining the islands and seeing the moon still linger between the highrise buildings was just beautiful. I think I was grinning the whole half marathon!
After the race we stayed a while at the goal zone sipping some beer for thirst. Tired, happy and STARVING, we went for late lunch with the same group of Austrian friends (and two Colombians) who were at the basketball match, too. What better suited for the event than an Austrian restaurant Bierhaus Fritz & Franz in Coral Cables?
I think I have never had such a good Wiener Schnitzel and potato salad as I did there. Live music, lovely temperature, nice garden and some friends - what more can a half marathon runner wish for?
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| Mafe and Winston. |
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| Anton. |
For the last two nights we moved to the suburbs to Mafe and Anton's place. More shopping at the Dolphin Mall was involved.
And Miami will forever have a place in my heart...
