Rockport is Rocky

Rocks, rocks and more rocks. It truly is a grand name for a little coastal location, arriving into Rockport after a pleasant 1 hour jaunt on the commuter rail for a mere 10$, we definitely saw some rocks!

Thankfully the town is small and quant which allowed a refresher from the Boston (however lovely it is) surroundings. Sunbathing on mammoth rocks, chitchattering about Scotland and Boston comparisons with Katie, Molly and Katies cousin from Scotland Gillian. Girly day out. I’m pretty sure it was a cracking sight to see, as not only were we lying down we were locking ourselves in interesting angles which the rocks slanted at… a new experience, whilst topping up my pale skin with some Vit D.

After Indiana jones’ing it around the rocky coast, we swayed from one rocky beach to another, with a tad more sand and sunbathed on new terrain, sand. Exploring the area afterwards I really got to see that this small village relied heavily on the tourists that flocked in and out of it weekly. A many of native American shops and arts and crafts shops, highlighted the long road like a colorful ribbon curving out and down towards a glorious coastal scene, Rockport.

 

 

 

Movements in Miami

Our first morning, and first view of Miami Beach

After a ridiculous early morning rise, and flagging down a very fancy taxi we were jetsetting down south for a weekend of heat heat heat. Miami was our destination, relaxing was our aspiration. A Cuban breakfast, but of course, to start our weekend just one block from the beach, we checked into your lovely Hostel in North Miami Beach and awaited the arrival of my Scottish come Texas friends!  Sarah, a friend and student from Scotland at my University also on the same Industrial Placement Program as I- but working within a different industry in Texas met myself and Molly in Miami with her younger sister, Laura! Learn by doing. 

This whole weekend was again short but so sweet- I managed to relax and enjoy catching up with missed friendships, and most importantly GET SOME SUNSHINE! Viewing South Miami Beach was a treat, the historic art deco district, which spans far is beautiful.  All of the buildings seem like they should be picked up and placed in a different scenic landscape. We shopped (more like window shopped) the Kardashians boutique clothes shop, DASH and rollerbladed down the boardwalk! Can I let everyone into a mammoth secret, rollerblading is not as easy as it looks, I assumed I would be a pro (almost pro) with the knowledge of ice skating but I ended up only knowing how to go forward, and unable to stop. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily I flew down a hill within the boardwalk and CATAPULTED myself into a large green bush out of the bath, crash landing and stopped by objects= superrrrrrrrb.

In true tourist travels, we wondered the areas and stumbled up on memorials and landmarks in Miami, and ended our last night of the four day journey over in Downtown Miami at a scrumptious Chinese restaurant beside the harbor. Walking straight up the Ocean Drive strip was interesting, full of Cubans and holidays goers enjoying the sun and sangrias crowded by these magnificent buildings. It felt like I was in the game Grand Theft Auto walking up the grassy areas beside the beach with all of the public walking past. .. . You see, you believe.



It was a late night chatting, and saying our goodbyes before an early morning rise to fly back up to BOS on the Monday.

A marvelous long weekend enjoying the sights of Miami, I even think I tanned slightly!

South Miami Beach

3rd day on the beach

Revere Beach-Sand Sculpture Festival.

Yesterday was sOOO much fun!

SUNfun!

The sun was shining (as normal since I've been here) so we decided to head to Revere beach as the lovely Ketty had recommended we went since a festival was taking place to celebrate the end of a three week long sand sculpting competition!

We arrived a tad early, so Molly and I enjoyed walking the promenade- gathering our freebies (which is always great) and bought some snow cones.  We had never had one before and since we are now in America we thought why not.  They had such a sugary candy taste, and a ravishing refreshingly good savior from the hazy hot day.  Poor Molly dropped hers half-way through and didn’t get to experience the bubbleGUM ball at the bottom.. .

We met with Ketty along with her family and host students on the sandy warm beach facing the sea.  It was great to relax and chat about life in Boston and what we had to look forward to getting hints and tips of where to go, and what to do.  She kindly bought us the most thirst-quenching selection of melons, cherries and strawberries for dinner which was so generous and tasty! 

We tried American Freshly Squeezed Lemonade, which was good though my gosh it was sweet.  We watched her make the lemonade in front of us and we saw roughly 3/4 full table spoons of sugar, ice, water and 1 lemon juice go directly into each of our cups.  So ZESTY. I will most definitely take this back home and let everyone try some real fresh lemonade next summer in Scotland.

To top off our night we sat back watching a fantastic fury of fireworks BOOMandBANG in front of us for a good 30 minutes to celebrate Revere Beach and all its past along with the festival accommodating the sand Sculpting competition. 

 That night I also tried my first McDonalds in the U.S... Having a southern fried chicken burger as the menu is a tad different from that in Scotland with no McChicken Sandwiches!

All in all a lovely day.