Diary 22^nd February
from Florida.

I couldn't sleep much this night and went back and forth to the smoking lounge often. Dawn started to appear at 0650 and the long silver winding worm that was the train continued heading south to the sun. The train stopped at 0700 in some town with streetlights and rain. I took breakfast as soon as the dining car opened. Replenished I went back to my seat where I eventually slept until 1030. I woke up to warm weather and grey skies.

By the time I'd finished lunch at 1430 the train was two hours late. In the bar in the afternoon I was talking to a gentleman. We spoke about ages and I mentioned that it was my birthday today. He gave me one of his big Havana cigars for my birthday. I lit it sucking the rich mellow smoke into my lungs. I don't smoke cigars often but that one fat cigar was an excellent birthday gift. Then he bought a round of drink for me and the other five people that where chatting with us in the bar. This started a trend and others bought me a drink when it was their turn so we ended up fairly merry in the afternoon. Some of the Americans I did on my travels around the United States are truly wonderful people.

During the train journey I was talking to different people and the consensus was that I would be better advised to spend my time in Miami rather than Orlando. They as good as confirmed my vision that it was mainly for groups and families, especially with children. Some people who had visited before told me the town is quite dead. Apart from the Disney aspect there is little else to do there. As a consequence of all this information I didn't get off the train until it reached its terminal station in Miami. As soon as I arrived in the station hall I used the notice boards and freephones to secure accommodation. There was a vacancy at an hotel called Banana Bungalow. The establishment lies along the Collins Avenue between 23rd and 24 Street on South Beach. I didn't care much at this time of night. I reckoned I could sort out ant problems tomorrow. By the time I reached there in a $27 taxi it was midnight. I found my room very basic but at least it had a telephone and a television in it.

 In the afternoon I went to the beach where I lay sunbathing in the warm sunshine. In the evening I went out to see the bubbling nightlife of the South Beach. It was late when I found a restaurant for dinner and treated myself to a first class meal.

I inquired from the owner about getting a connection to AOL for my laptop. He looked at me as though he was assessing me, then taking a he from the board he said, "Follow me." I followed him until he stopped at a door that was just a short way along the corridor from my own room. When he opened the door and went in I followed him. The room which appeared to be a disused bedroom doubling as an office had a computer and telephone line on a desk in the corner. "I think this will meet your needs. Here take key and you can use this room whenever you want." He told me as he handed me the key. "So what are you going to charge me for the use of this room?" I asked him. "I'm not going to charge you anything. Provided you only logon to AOL there will be no charge for the telephone either."

I was absolutely delighted and thanked profusely for his help and assistance. Knowing people trust and have faith in one gives one a great feeling inside. I would have been unlikely to have my needs met had I gone to more upmarket hotel. I moved my things in at around midday and went down town where I spent the afternoon wandering around sightseeing and window shopping. I bought a DVD, "Boiling Point" starring Wesley Snipes.

He headed along the street at walking pace and I followed him. We chatted a little about my nationality as we walked at the bus stop he asked me if I could help with a few dollars so I gave him four quarters and a dime which was all the change I had my pocket. I told him goodnight and we parted.

At the bus shelter there were three seats. As I stood facing them there was on the left what I judged to be a 30 something year-old white man, a white-collar worker who may have been Jewish. He had an oval face and a pair of small oval shaped spectacles sitting high on the bridge of his nose. Wearing a very short cropped line of hair round his mouth and chin. Slim build and moderately attractive. The centre seat was empty. On the right sat a large lady in a green costume with matching hat.

It was she who first spoke and engaged me in conversation. I brought the man into the conversation also and eventually sat down beside him. The well dressed woman scrounged a cigarette, which surprised me, and chatted while she smoked it. Shortly after that one finished she asked if she could buy another from me for fourteen cents. I gave one to her, told her to put her pennies back in her pocket and she left shortly afterwards.

Thomas, by this time I did discovered his name, had his knee pressed firmly against mine and we were looking into each others eyes when we spoke.
He said, "You have very beautiful eyes. I want to give you my phone number. I would very much like it if you, sometime soon."
I explained, "I have only tonight. I'm just visiting from the UK so it's your body I want not your phone number." I smiled acknowledging his need and trying to press my own.
"I live with my mother and I have to be home by midnight." he said.
"That's okay my hotel is on the next block." I told him. "I only came out to go and find something to eat. We can go back there now and I can go and eat later."

We went over to the hotel. It was only then that I discovered guests are not allowed in after 2100. However I explained to the dishevelled looking but friendly black man who was in charge, and to whom I'd been speaking earlier when I departed, that I was having a problem with my laptop and my friend had offered to take a look at it for me. He gave me an understanding nod and told me to go ahead but not to be long. Thomas and me went upstairs to my bedroom and as soon as we entered he took hold of me, kissed passionately whilst his hands started unbuttoning my shirt fronts.

We swiftly undressed and went at it like rabbits.It was all very safe as we only did oral, but he loved my finger inside him. Due to the time constraints set by gentleman at the front desk we had to finish very quickly. It was clear to both of us that we wanted to continue. We interrupted each others dressing several times to hug, kiss and enjoy each other. After finally managing to get dressed we came downstairs. We left together and took a bus and before parting we made a date for tomorrow night at 2100 at the bus stop. I hoped he'd show up.

I had to get off before him and catch another bus to 5th Street. From their I walked down to 1st Street.there I took a walk around and ended up having dinner in a rather extravagant restaurant.Art Noveau decor and very attractive and attentive staff. The pasta was delicious probably the best I've ever tasted. The shrimps were beautiful and cooked just as firm as I like them. However the wine was $8 per glass for the house red so I settled for a whisky and lemonade instead. On the way back I passed the Palace but it was closed due to the lateness of the hour. I enjoyed the long walkwalk in the tropical at night all way back from 1st to 19th Street. When I arrived at the Greystone I bought a bottle of 7 Up in the foyer and went to my room. It was 0125 when I put the key in my door.

The rest of the day I spent on beach. I returned to the Greystone hotel in the late afternoon showered and dressed before going to the local restaurant to eat some dinner. At 2000 I was at the bus stop but unfortunately Tomas, my Cuban friend from yesterday, did not put in an appearance. I was somewhat disappointed as I was very much looking forward to a couple of hours of carnal fun with him. I went for a beer then went back to the hotel where I watched television and rested as I was very tired.

I went out again just before midnight to get some fresh air. At the same bus stop I saw a Spanish guy and followed him along the street short way. When he sat on a bench I sat down beside him and we started to chat. He told me that he could not come with me tonight as he was on his way home and it was late but that he would be happy to take me to the Score Bar in Lincoln Road if I meet him tomorrow night at midnight. I agreed we went to the bar and we parted.

Tuesday 27^th February.
Since I have come to Miami I have had diarrhoea in the mornings. Perhaps it is because my diet here is not as varied or good as it has been previously. I took my laundry into the cleaners when I got up at 0930 and then made inquiries about housekeeping not having cleaned my room since I arrived. I was assured it would be done later. Today I telephoned to Amtrak and rescheduled my journey. I will stay here until Friday and then go to Orlando.

I spent the afternoon on the beach chatting to Stacey with the big muscles and his friend Robbie from Ireland. There was another chap called Eric who had a video camera and said that he would put his film on the Internet. I told him I would put his picture on the Internet when I did my page for Miami. I didn't put the pictures on the Internet immediately and later I had my computer and CDs stolen. Unfortunately I now have no pictures from Miami or Orlando.

In the evening I went to a restaurant for dinner and then spent some time at the Score Bar there. It was Latino night but there were no Latinos that I was interested in so I came back to my hotel by taxi arriving here at 2350. The Spaniard who was to meet me at midnight did not show a so I went to my room and watched some television before falling asleep.

Wednesday 28^th February.
I spent the morning in town and I spent the afternoon reading on the beach. not a very interesting day you may think it but sometimes one just needs to take time to be by oneself and let the world go by. Just after 1700 a cool wind started to blow from the south and the beach emptied quickly. I returned to the hotel.

Thursday 1^st March.
Well this is my last day in Miami. I decided to check out the journey to the Amtrak station and so boarded the L. bus. It turns out that it takes an hour each way. The afternoon was again spent on the beach until the wind turned cold at 1645.

After thinking that the proprietor was such a really nice guy and very helpful to me when I arrived I have changed my opinion completely. This was the worst hotel that I have stayed in to date. The room has never been cleaned during the five days that I have been there. The television had a very poor picture a lot of the time and the volume control worked intermittently. Complaints were met with little practical response, some hand wringing and excuses were offered in abundance. I asked for it to be exchanged for one that worked but there was no one fit enough to carry a set from another room

Friday 2^nd March.
I'd asked for an alarm call at 0830 but I woke at 0745 and got up. A plate of cereal followed by a shower and e-mail check meant I was ready to leave at 0845. I waited at the bus stop until 0915 and after an uneventful journey arrived at Amtrak station one hour later. After some hassle getting a seat by an electrical output in an empty compartment I settled down but there was no refreshments available on the train when it left Miami.

After leaving Miami I spent a few days at Disney World in Orlando but as I mentioned earlier I had my computer stolen and I have no record of what I did there not any pictures at all from Florida.

From Orlando I returned to the United Kingdom having spent some 120 days travelling around the world.

The next link leads to many photographs and the full and interesting story of my first visit to Belize a few years ago. I spent a few months understanding my roots and getting to know the Belizean people and what few members of my family were still living there. Many of my relations had moved to better themselves in the United States.