South Beachy

South Beach is a trip - no way around that conclusion. There are gorgeous art deco buildings in pastels and neon lining Collins Ave. And then there is a lot of garbage lining the street.

There are sleek and chic people who put more into cosmetic surgery than into their pension fund. And there are the freak and shockers who dress like it is Halloween everyday. Just for the record - Stephen and I fit in at South Beach about as well as a whale fits in a goldfish bowl.

However, we really enjoyed our time in South Beach for two reasons - Gretchen and Shayna. Gretchen is a long-time family friend we haven't seen in a while and Shayna is her 15 (going on 25) daughter. They picked us up from our hotel in South Beach and drove us to a Brazilian Steakhouse called Chima.

If you ever have the chance to experience Brazilian steakhouses - I highly recommend that you do so. After piling your plate with goodies from the gourmet salad bar you are approached by gauchos (men with large sabers with meat on them). They ask if you would like the particular flavor / type of meat they are carrying and (if you do) they slice you a piece. And they had virtually every type of meat imaginable. YUM!

OK so maybe we will start our post-cruise diet tomorrow....