"Home" from Key West

I never thought 3 1/2 months ago that Miami could ever feel like home, on my way back from Key West this afternoon, after we pulled off the turnpike and onto 117th St., I started to get that feeling. A feeling like, "yeah that was an awesome vacation but it feels so good to be home. Oh look, we must be getting close, there's Tamiami Park." Not that Maryland won't always be home too, but I've learned you can make a home anywhere if you live there long enough and become a part of the place.
But about the trip-I've never had a more relaxing three days in my life. No worries, just delicious food and awesome people (esp. those from my class I was staying with) and perfect weather. I can totally see why people keep coming back. Sure, it has it's reputation, but look beyond that you'll see you're even farther from the US than you are in Miami ;-), you're in the Caribbean. They have everything that Miami does in terms of scenery-palm trees, blue water, beaches, sunshine-but no one's in any kind of a rush.
I take the conch crossstitch that I did a few years back as a sign-I belong there. I'll be a researcher or give tours on one of the conch trains or be a key lime pie critic or something. It felt like it was meant to be. Flamingos and palm trees and key lime pie and conch shells...I think I'm in love.

~Bethany

Key West

is awesome. That's all I have to say. I love real key lime pie and seafood and sunsets like nothing else. And I'm framing the Conch Republic flag and hanging it up in my room until I can move there and baking everyone key lime pie made with REAL key lime juice. Mmm mmm.
No place like it on earth.

~Bethany