Miami and Back Home

We reached Miami the morning of December 14th. After visiting 10 countries and sailing around the globe for a total of 108 days, our journey had finally come to an end. We had to wait around to go through port security in groups based on our cabin numbers. At the beginning of the trip I planned to book a flight from Miami to Columbus and meet my family back home, but my mom had told me not to book one since my dad decided to visit me in Florida. It was supposed to be a surprise, but she didn’t want me to make travel arrangements not realizing he was planning for us to go home together. What I did not know was that my sister Anna would also be in Miami waiting for me! After over 3 months away from my family (and almost no phone contact) it was great to see my dad and sister. I had no idea that Anna would be there and was glad she could make the trip too.

port of Miami
Before leaving I said my final goodbyes to the friends I had made during the trip and made arrangements to meet up with Henry later that evening. He and I were both staying in Miami for the night and heading back the next day. Unfortunately JR was driving back with his old man and Robb was leaving that day as well. I spent the day with my family, and that evening Henry’s family (his mother and brother) and mine went out to dinner. Later the two of us went to a bar that several other SAS kids were supposedly going to, and about 20 of us turned out. It was awesome to see so many SASers at the bar considering I had expected many of them to already be gone. It was odd too – kind of felt like just another port city for awhile. 

But of course it was anything but another stop aboard the MV. Oh and initially it did not even occur to me that it might be a problem getting into the bar since I was only 20. During the entire trip I think I was carded a total of two times (at a club in India and in Costa Rica at an 18 and over place that insisted everyone have IDs). So when the bouncer asked for my ID, I simply replied that I had left it at the hotel. Then he asked my birth date, and I just said the same day, one year earlier. And I got in just like that! Easy enough, but I’m glad I didn’t have to try that too many times!

The next day my sister, dad and I drove to Orlando (where their flight arrived) to fly back to Columbus. I was greeted by mother and other sister, Christine (Anna and Christine are twins). It was great to see everyone and be home, although like I mentioned before I was also disappointed that it was all over.

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