Keishia in South Beach, Miami
Our actual New Year’s Eve is full of action and bustle. We enjoy a great run down the beach; take a dip in the cool ocean water, as a lovely way to head into the New Year with a healthy intention. As we’re running and swimming, we see so many tourists on Segways that we think they are on to something as quick way to roll around the beach. So, we search high and low to rent a pair. Of course, it’s a holiday and every shop that we search is sold out. We walked for blocks until we encountered a Scooter rental shop, and as a former motorcyclist, it’s Keishia’s idea to rent Vespas. Arthur isn’t feeling the idea, it’s New Year’s, the streets are crowded with cars, motorcycles, and people are darting in and out of traffic.
Keishia and Arthur on Vespas.
Arthur on a Vespa
But it’s done. The Vespa’s are rented, and we scoot around town, much to Arthur’s chagrin. Fortunately, the ride is uneventful. We circle the same blocks for two-hours, and watch as the South Beach streets begin to flood with New Year’s Eve patrons. The parking lots start to fill and rise to astronomical prices. The police presence on horses aid in the closure of streets. As night falls, it’s almost time for the festivities to commence. Arthur is more than happy to return those Vespas and be on walking ground. It’s dinner time.
Why search for a new restaurant when we’ve already had heaven on a plate? Chalan on the Beach sounded just fine to return and order the exact same courses. We’re pretty simple, and the staff was happy to see us again, it’s a high form of praise and flattery to be a repeat customer. After dinner, we do a bit of pre-gaming, and in general, we get ready for a night out for the biggest block party, we’ve ever experienced.
Getting goofy on the streets on New Year’s Eve
The streets are completely closed in South Beach to traffic, and we have the ability to stumble…err, walk the streets comfortably. The restaurants have the freedom to move tables onto the road under big tents to accommodate even more customers. We take it all in, we strut the streets, and find places to stop dance when the mood strikes.
In the pink neon in South Beach.
As the night draws nearer to midnight, we head back to our hotel and grab a table outside, and we simply people-watch and enjoy the revelry of the evening. The hotel passed out glittery hats, sparkling tiaras, beads, and whistles to add to the experience. It was a mass countdown with a crowd of thousands—but simultaneously something spiritual about everyone sharing this space and acknowledgment of time. Thunderous cheers and applause surrounded us, as well as the booming of fireworks, and quite annoyance of noise-makers. But it was strangely intimate, as we wished one another a Happy New Year, as we hurdled into our first year of marriage.
It’s almost the New Year.
