Farewell Florida!

It has been slightly weird these last couple of weeks as after talking with my parents at length the decision was made to put the Florida property on the market. While selling in a ‘credit crunch’ may seem like a stupid plan, it was in fact a pretty good time to do it based on the exchange rate now compared to when it was purchased.

The condo was always a ‘lifestyle’ purchase and over the years it has acted as a second home for my parents for six months a year, a base for Sands and I when I was working in the US, and a holiday home. Sands and I last visited in January 2006 at which time we both agreed that we had fallen our of love with America.

My relationship with the USA goes back to 1981/2 when I was at school in Minneapolis for what was one of the best years of my life. Sands first went over in 1992 as part of our honeymoon and we have had some great times there and met some good friends.

Without doubt there are some impressive places to go. New York for a long weekend is an all time favourite, and we particularly liked Washington and Chicago. Minneapolis will always be a special place for me, and Florida for all its ‘falseness’ is a fascinating place.

BUT the time is right to say goodbye. For Sands and I now we have the cats and have ‘downsized’ our lifestyle, trips abroad just don’t factor into the equation. Neither of us have any great desire to travel anymore, and what travel we do in the future we would like to be on the Harley exploring Spain.

For my parents the cost of insurance is getting higher, the monthly dues on the Condo are now the same as it would cost to rent an apartment in Almerimar per month, and their friends are less in number than they were as advancing years takes its natural toll. It is very much a case of ‘get out at the top’ and not to be the ‘last person at the party’. Hopefully over the coming years they will get to see some parts of the world that they have always wanted to see, and spend more time with us here in Almerimar. It would be good if they could have a second home here now ……

I have to say that America has made it pretty easy to come to this decision. As a generalisation I can’t help but think that as a nation they need to get out and see the world more. They think they know far more than they actually do. They need to travel, realise just how much they are disliked and how much they have been conned over the years. All the ‘themed’ restaurants for example make them think they know what the UK, Spain, Europe etc is like, but in reality they haven’t got a clue! They are neither the biggest nor the best, but insist on thinking that they are. When I first went in 1981 I thought that their service was second to none. It was a ‘pleasure’ to tip as you felt that the waiter/waitress had really gone that extra mile for you, now it is generally surly, resentful and poor with the concept of a tip now a right rather than an extra to be given at the discretion of the customer.

And how about this for making you feel wanted:

Under a new scheme tourists will be advised to apply online for approval for travel from the US Department of Homeland Security at least three days before they leave.

It replaces the I-94 form, which is currently handed out during the flight to passengers from Britain and a number of other countries who do not require visas. Applicants will provide the same biographical information and passport details, including names, passport numbers, date of birth and destination, as with the I-94 form.

Yeah right, everyone has access to the Internet of course!!

So farewell Florida, it was fun. We may be back one day, but please don’t hold your breath. You will be remembered fondly, but not missed!

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