When the Christmas break arrived during my year of studies in Philadelphia, I was ready for more adventure, and for some warmth and sun.

With a couple of friends, I decide to head South – on a student budget, by Greyhound bus. The non-stop trip to Miami takes over 30 hours, with only occasional restroom and fast food stops… Passengers and drivers change, we stay on… 

Seeing the sunrise from the bus after a day and night of traveling is quite eerie.

36 hour of bus non-stop to get to Florida... sunrise on the bus!
36 hour of bus non-stop to get to Florida… sunrise on the bus!

Our last bio-break stop is in Jacksonville, Florida. The dominant building there has a particular resonance for us.

One last hop off the bus for McDo / toliet break... in Jacksonville, Florida
One last hop off the bus for McDo / toliet break… in Jacksonville, Florida

A few more hours on the road and we finally reach our destination: Miami Beach. The ocean on the horizon and the warm air on our faces are the best Christmas present we can dream of after this trip (a shower and a bed follow very closely on the list 😊)

Arriving in Miami Beach! we can see the ocean!
Arriving in Miami Beach! we can see the ocean!

The pristine white sand beach feels like a dream to us.

Miami Beach, just before Christmas. Warm air, warm sand :-)
Miami Beach, just before Christmas. Warm air, warm sand 🙂

This being the US, colorful character abound… Like these two, looking for gold, in one form… or another!

Looking for treasure
Looking for treasure
Miami Beach Santa Claus on the prowl...
Miami Beach Santa Claus on the prowl…

I had never seen a tropical Santa Claus before…

After this nice beach break, a couple days camping in the Everglades enables us to reconnect with a different kind of wildlife.

Camping in the Everglades national park
Camping in the Everglades national park

… while still staying at a relatively safe distance.

Everglades national park, 1987
Everglades national park

Soon it’s time to hit the road again – almost literally…

Next stop: New Orleans, Louisiana!

More to come, stay tuned!
Didier.