We pack up our many bags, jump in a cab and head out to the car rental location. It's inside one of the many Disney resorts so we leave our bags kerbside with the attendants and head inside. I was pretty excited but obviously nervous for my first experience on the other side of the car and road.
The lady who helped us was awesome, and even changed the settings on the GPS to be in kilometres, and also had the car display degrees and not Celsius on the air con. It's the little things. Just before I signed the contract she asked if for only $5 extra I'd be interested in having roadside assistance. I immediately said yes to that, having worked for NRMA for a time I know important it is to have. Particularly in a foreign country and traveling on my own with the girls. This is a decision I would be very grateful for in less that 15 minutes.
Before we could leave we had to get our luggage into the car. Now Mustangs aren't known for their spacious boot space and between the 3 of us we had 3 large suitcases, 3 small, 3 backpacks and 2 plastic bags. Playing Tetris with our suitcases and 5 bell hops we eventually got everything in. We were ready to go. At this rate we'd be arriving in Miami about mid afternoon. Perfect to have a bit of a wander and see the sun set.
It was quite surreal to be driving on the right hand side of the road. But I was up for the challenge. We had the roof down so I was concerned about losing the paper work I'd left on the dash. So as we were driving into the highway I reached for the paper work and lost concentration for just a second and found myself side swiping the construction barricade and immediately the tyre is blown. The car starts to beep its emergency tones letting me know the tyre has no air and we pull into a construction area off the road. I jump out to check the damage.......none but the tyre has seen better days.
I immediately grab the roadside assistance number but realise I don't have a clue where I am. So I see a construction worker and start walking towards him. He isn't a local so he dials in a friend and I make the call. All good someone will be there in 45 mins.
Then our knight in shining armour Eddie shows up who offers to change the tyre for us. It's done in less than 10 mins. Simple right? Ahhhhhh.......no. Sports cars don't have the same size tyres as spares, they are much smaller. This meant when we put in the flat it took up half the space of the boot. Our luggage wasn't going to fit in. I called back roadside to let them know we had a new problem and the options they were giving me weren't really possible.
1. Leave the car there and get a cab to the nearest rental location.
2. Get towed but they could only take 2 people (so I have to choose a favourite child and leave one behind?
3. Leave behind the tyre or some luggage on the side of the road?
None of these seemed viable so it was time for me to put my problem solving skills to the test. I thought if I could get the luggage back in and had the tyre in with the girls we'd be able to go a short distance. The lady on the phone found a location for a replacement vehicle only 4 miles (6.5 kms) away.
Jamei and Boston were the only reason I didn't completely loose my cool. They were so calm and totally unperturbed by this experience. Jamei was some much needed muscle and Boston was never far for moral support. Serious legends that got me through the most stressful period of our holiday.
Jamei valiantly held the tyre (while dressed in my flanelette pajamas so as not to get dirt and grease all over her). Boston and I giggled but Jamei did not complain once.
We arrive and exchange the vehicle as the staff sit and watch us unpack and repack the car with precision, much like Mary Poppins and her carpet bag. And we are finally on our way again. It's not long before Boston very politely asks ' when are we having lunch'? With the time it'd taken for all this to be sorted I'd totally lost track of time and realised it was already nearly 2pm. We find somewhere roadside to stop at a KFC. Funny to see that even this chain was different with no fries only wedges, and all meals served with a biscuit which is actually a scone. It's very confusing but hits the spot.
It's all smooth sailing till we are closer to Miami and we heard on the radio there was a fatal accident on the I-95. Because I have no clue where that is or whether it was near us, I was soon to find out that Yes-it was near us and Yes-we were going to be affected. 5 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic for miles. I just had to keep reminding myself that everything was ok and we weren't late for anything and it's OK to arrive whenever we get there.
We drive some of the way with the roof off which is cool and as soon as we hit South Beach it was a city that is fun. There are pedicabs with music pumping out of them, guys on Harley's with no helmets and people everywhere.
It takes a couple of laps to find our hotel amidst the bright lights and bustle, but as we pull in we are greeted warmly and get help with our bags. The girls are exhausted and reluctant to go out. So we pop down the road to grab some food before they retire into bed.
While they eat I start to touch base with family which is so cool after such a stressful day. It recharges my batteries and I decide to grab a drink at the bar down stairs as a reward for making it through the day without falling in a heap and bursting into tears.
The hotel in South Beach is super cute and the bar is quaint. I go to order a drink and as usual someone hears my accent and sparks up a conversation. A couple of guys were obviously drinking together for some time started chatting with me, the usual questions - where are you from etc etc.
turns out one of their daughters are headed to Sydney in just a couple of days to live while studying. He thought this was good reason to pay for my drink. I attempt to decline but they won't have it, so I accept their kind gesture and head to a quiet corner to write this blog.
I can't believe it's only a few days before our holiday is over.
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