Florida and Savannah, 2021

Took my first Lyft in 13 months to my first plane flight. I got vaccinated and choose to trust it 100% but a return to normalcy is not easy. 1/?

I'm going to Florida. I chose Florida in part because it has had so few restrictions, most everything seems to be open. What seemed to be irresponsible now seems desirable. 2/?

Even though I trust my own vaccine, I'm still following all the rules. Today's airplane day is pretty much entirely masked, for example. We're a long way from actual normal in public. 3/?

Also how much do we really trust our vaccines? Many gay men go through a version of this question with AIDS. Even though I am certain my partner can't give me HIV, unprotected sex seems dangerous. 4/?

I'm choosing to act as normal as possible both because I need it psychologically and because, well, I'm vaccinated. I've done all I can. Curious how it's going to feel in the real world. 5/5

Travel sure feels weird in Covid. Mostly resenting having to wear a mask. Many of the safety accomodations feel superfluous to me, vaccinated. Still a privilege to be able to travel!

One challenge for getting back to normal post-vaccination is staffing up the decimated industries. I have a fear hotels and airlines are going to make diminished service the new norm. No housekeeping unless you ask, no food on planes at all, limited staff hours.

Good morning Miami.

Everywhere I go on this vacation I've been trying to tip large. Working hospitality is always a rough way to make a living but this last year has just been terrible. Trying to share some of my happiness of being able to go out by being generous with the folks who help me.

Well yes, I am virtue signaling. Also hoping to prompt other folks who can to tip generously as well

At the Worthington, the gay clothing optional hotel in FTL. I was a bit apprehensive about it but instead of being sleazy it's just really chill. Lots of friendly men. Still quiet in Covid times. The gay scene in Wilton Manors is running though.

Drove half an hour to get out of rich tourist Florida to have some Trinidadian food. Tabanka, a friendly place, and the food is amazing. Spices!

Curried goat with spinach, potato, pumpkin. And a giant pile of roti. I already ate my doubles. The Indian influence is clear in the spicing but Trini is it's own thing. Balanced in sweetness.

Assume you're vaccinated and going to lunch at an oyster house. Which seems riskier?

Vibe

Lake Worth murals. (MLK Jr by Kobra of Brasil).

Lovely boat ride up the Loxahatchee river to visit Trapper John's zoo and gambling den (RIP). Great Florida day trip.

Nice visit to @StAugDistillery in Florida. Sampled excellent bourbon and gin, they also have fun mixers and other spirits. The founder Philip McDaniel is impressive.

St Augustine tourists riding a pedicab, everyone singing along to Montero. It has happened: Lil Nas X has made everyone gay.

St Augustine is a nice tourist destination in Florida btw. Small town, funky and old and pretty, has a quirk vibe similar to Key West or New Orleans.

Fernandina Beach, about as far north in Florida as you can go. Cute town, some tourist amenities, not real clear why anyone lives here except life seems pleasant.

Lunch was at a place literally called the Salty Pelican. Excellent rum punch, the kind where a second would be an all too easy bad idea.

The railroad. Turns out the town is still here because it was the terminus of the first Gulf to Atlantic railroad.

Savannah, GA is blessed with a unique and effective planned layout. Orderly streets with affordances for pedestrians and shade, not raceways and car storage. The blocks surrounding each central green were designed for a mix of commercial and residential. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squares_of_Savannah,_Georgia

Drinking a Bloody Mary that skips the tomato and goes straight to pickle juice.

Random Savannah photos.

I mean just look at this tree, it's ridiculous.

And by ridiculous I mean magnificent.

After two days in Savannah my Suthun Accent has come back strong.