Florida – a fantastic state with warm weather and white beaches, the perfect recipe for a successful Spring Break. At least, that’s my description of Florida after spending my entire Spring Break in the Magic City, also known as Miami.
Monday is often considered the most boring day of the week. Sunday just ended, and the office is calling for your attention. But not for me. Instead, a not-so-lucrative bus ride to Newark Penn Station was calling my name. Was it comfortable? Not at all. But I entertained myself by scrolling through TikTok and watching the Nelk Boys on YouTube. So, what would I rate this miserable five-hour bus ride? Probably a one or two out of ten.
From a long bus ride to boarding the notorious Spirit Airlines – what could go wrong? Well, I was lucky enough to have a smooth flight with no issues. Of course, the legroom was a different story. Being 6’3″, I should’ve known better. Fortunately, no one sat in front of me, so I was able to stretch my legs on the armrest to relieve some pressure. I’d rate it a solid seven or eight out of ten – just because of the empty armrest.
Almost there – Miami International Airport! Now, I just needed to figure out how to get to Brickell, located in downtown Miami, where my old roommate had just moved into a new apartment. And find it I did! It only took a 30-minute bus ride followed by a 10-minute walk and boom – I had arrived!
You know that feeling when you just can’t stop smiling? That was me when my good old friend Miguel De Antonio opened the apartment door to greet me.
“Oh, hi again,” De Antonio said with a grin. “How long has it been? Haha.”
A correct answer with an extra touch of joy – it had been so long since I’d seen Miguel that neither of us could remember the last time we’d spent time together just enjoying ourselves.
And enjoy ourselves we did! From exploring downtown Miami and watching Tyler Herro ball out at the Kaseya Center to lounging on the white sands of Miami Beach, my Spring Break couldn’t have been better. But it wouldn’t have been the same without another old friend of mine, Kolten Chotovinsky, who also happened to be a former roommate from my first school in the U.S. – Paul Smith’s College.
From a tiny dorm in upstate New York to endless warm weather and drinks, this was the perfect finale to my Florida trip. I took the train to Fort Lauderdale to meet up with Kolten, his brother, and his friends, and we had an unforgettable night, one that ended with an expensive hour-long Uber ride back to Miami. Was it worth the $60? Absolutely. Though, by that point, I was more than ready for the trip to wind down.
Sunday, Monday, and finally Tuesday – time to fly back to New York. After seven days in the Magic City, I’d had my fill, and a peaceful three-hour flight was exactly what I needed to recharge my completely drained batteries.
Last but not least, my verdict: Was it worth spending around $250 for a five-hour bus ride and a three-hour flight just to experience Miami? 100%. I’m starting to understand why the city’s growth – both in size and population, has exploded the way it has.