The first sight of the cruise: it’s gigantic!!! There are 5000 passengers and 1250 crewmembers aboard. We started with going to the buffet, which I could describe with only one word: amazing! There were sooo many food options and it is all included. More expensive cheeses like manchego were available and a large variety of even salads and different types of cuisine. After that we had our scheduled dinner, where I felt really underdressed, we were there in for example jogpants while other tables had fully suited people eating. The service was amazing, the way you’re treated by any crewmember of the boat, and the eating options were even more fancy.

On Sunday then, some of us woke up early (I even missed the breakfast). After that, I was reminded how nice the breakfast options were at the buffet, well that’s something I’d have to find out the day after. We enjoyed the nice weather from the pool, the casino, and at some point I also went to the gym for a bit. In the evening we attended an improv R rated show that was really really funny and wonderful. After this we chilled for a bit but not too long, because the day after we’re going to: Jamaica!

It’s Monday, I luckily woke up early enough for breakfast (also we needed to be ready for the excursion we booked for 9). We arrived in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and it is beautiful weather outside, even though it started pouring an hour later. The tour guide would bring us to a water fall that we would be climbing. The tour guide was really fun and thought us Jamaican phrases like Yah Mon, and the commonly used “no problem” (since every problem in Jamaica has a solution). We also visited the reggae hill, with very nice reggae music and a couple of dancers. Before we had to embark, we had a short hour to roam around Ocho Rios city and buy stuff (I bought a Jamaica shot glass).

To wrap up the Miami experience: On Saturday we rented a 7-person minivan and used that to first go to an airboat tour organized by a local Miccosukee tribe. We saw a lot of gators and the tour guide was not afraid to interact with these alligators, even grabbing one below its beak! We were also shown an old Miccosukee village where the grandfather of our tour guide used to live. We saw large alligators but also baby gators, and the tour was very informative! I can highly recommend this airboat company: Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours.

On the last day of our Miami trip, Sunday, Shaher and I were supposed to take a train to West Palm Beach, where our friend could drive us further to Gainesville. Shaher had other plans in mind however, he left early in the morning with Didier, and came back driving after Didier. In a red Mustang!! He rented this car for a day, to complete his Miami experience. We drove with it past Ocean Drive. Leaving Gainesville, we made a stop in West Palm Beach to go to the beach and pool, after meeting with our (now third) driver Kristen. Shaher is the type of guy who does what he thinks would be cool/a great experience, without worrying about the issues that come up, and I admire that!

The week coming after this trip: is the last week of classes of UF (for me at least). I planned to go the 7th of December to Miami to take the cruise. I have to pack my luggage for that and that makes me feel a bit sad also.
I remember first arriving to Gainesville, everything was a bit chaotic and I had to unpack the little luggage I had (in comparison with what my roommate had, when he came a few days later). Several worries were on my mind: I had to buy food, but all grocery stores were far-ish (I couldn’t pick up my rented bike yet); I was hoping I chose the right courses (I didn’t know changing them was so easy and that spots do open up if you check every once in a while); I didn’t know how my roommate was going to be; I didn’t know anyone yet (except for Dennis luckily). All these worries seem silly, looking back. I am not sad to leave UF, but I am sad to leave the people, they have made my UF experience what it is and that I will never forget, just like I won’t forget them.

I already started packing my bags and (even though it hurts) throwing away stuff. On Wednesday we had the meeting about checking out and afterwards we took a picture with everyone of third floor weaver and only the people of third floor weaver leaving. My RA mentioned how it was funny that he felt like he knew the people that were leaving way more than the others of the floor. We would always cook or hang out in the lounge. And that’s why I know them all really well.

It is Friday, the last day on campus and I already checked out, yesterday we had a farewell party which was really beautiful and a bit emotions-stirring. Tomorrow I am going down to Miami, to take the cruise with Dennis, Jill, Julia and Tim.

In the weekend, I enjoyed (seeing others) spray-paint in the tunnel near the Cypress building. A lot of people from Gina’s floor joined and it was a lot of fun.

On Tuesday morning, we got ready to leave with the car to… Miami! We left at 7AM to avoid all the traffic that would be caused by all the people heading out because of the Thanksgiving week. The first day we stayed at West Palm Beach which was beautiful and had amazing weather.

On Wednesday we left our Airbnb in West Palm and rode to Miami. Miami was really great to see and this day we settled in our new Airbnb place which had electric BBQ’s a pool and a hot tub. The apartment complex we were in was really nice but the neighborhood itself that we were in was a little bit sketchy.

On Thursday, Thanksgiving itself, we were all invited to come over to Gina’s house to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family. The were all very cool and kind. We had a lot of fun and an amazing dinner. Before actually having dinner, her parents thought it was a good idea to give us at least something to eat before the dinner would be ready. This “something to eat”, was delicious and made it hard for me to not eat too much so I’d be ready for the Thanksgiving food.

The day after, we made our arrangements to go to Wynwood art district. Getting there was a bit more difficult for some of us (we had to take the public transport), but it was very much worth it. After this we went to Ocean Drive on Miami Beach.

The rest of the trip will be covered in next week’s blogpost, stay tuned!