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I decided it was time to finally do what I have been saying that I would do.  I have been saying for some time now that I am eventually going to live in Florida. But truth be told, talk is cheap. At least when it doesn’t stand on any substance. So back in October I finally started to tell myself to spend the money to take a trip out to Florida to see the city that I want to live in and also buy property in.

I  have only visited this city once, about 8 plus or so years ago. What I liked about the city was that it was far away enough from the big city but close enough to the beach and to fun.

So about in August or October was when I started to cement the thought to just buckle down and put money to the airplane flight, the room, the rental car, and the spending money I needed for the trip. I used airfarewatchdog.com to find a cheap flight, and used the regular online sites to get the car. I used airbnb. (this was my first time using airbnb) Remind me to tell you about my experience with using airbnb. It was a memory that left me with an odd feeling about trying it again.

So concerning my trip, I wasn’t sure exactly what I was going to do. I knew that I wanted to do a couple of things… some that were business and a couple that were personal. I wanted to visit a few properties that were on the market there in Florida. I wanted to see what they looked like in person. I wanted to see the area of town that they were in. I wanted to see the people, the way in which they lived etc. I also wanted to visit some city offices to get a feel for what the city was like and how it operates and its plans for the future. Now obviously I can’t get a full view of the city, the people or government offices in one visit, but I needed to start somewhere. I also wanted to talk with a real estate agent while I was there to get a sense of the market from someone that lives there. And for the personal stuff, well I wanted to visit Coral Castle. I always loved that kind of stuff. I wanted to visit South Beach for a day. Part of my heart lives there, something about S.B. just captivates and feeds my heart. And finally I wanted to go scuba diving in Key Largo. I’ve never been there, always hear the Keys were a relaxing and great place to visit. Plus on my experience list is to one day swim with a 100 or 200 year old turtle. So as you can see, my goal for the trip was to wrap as many things in one trip as possible. I had also wanted to sky dive in Miami, but the drop zone in Homestead was closed for the week that I was going to be there. (bummer) but next time.

As for the scuba diving. It was relatively a last minute thing, especially since I did not know that I needed to get certified. My ignorant mind had thought that I could just take a 2 minute class and be ready to swim with the fishes… Boy was I wrong. Because of my last minute needs I was actually able to take a condensed 3 day class, not including an online class that took the better part of almost 24 hours to complete. Needless to say, it’s a damn good thing that I took that class. Not only did I need it in order to go on the dive, but it actually taught me how to think and feel while almost 40ft under water. side note: I definitely need to go scuba diving again..(Big thumbs up)

So my trip overall was great. Sadly I went alone. Painfully this man, Max, I “hate” (and I try hard not to use that word hate anymore because to me words are very powerful and the word hate is an extreme way to express negativity) But yes, I fu$%ing hate, for the most part being lonely. It must be something psychological from my childhood, or at least that’s probably what a doctor would say. But back to my trip….. Overall great. and because it was more of a business trip, I wasn’t super lonely. Although in retrospect, those beautiful perfect Florida nights there would have been better to have not shared them alone. But I digress…

So what things did I do? Well, Besides taking a lot of pictures, I went to the development services and permit office in Homestead and in Florida City. Both were diametrically different. I was able to sit for about 45 minutes and speak to the Sheriff of Florida City in his office, our meeting was not quite what I expected. (We’ll leave it at that). In Homestead, I learned a lot from a guy named Eddie in the permit office. Really cool cat and uber helpful. I must remember to send him a thank you for recommending Mario’s Family Restaurant. ( A cuban restaurant, pretty good and went there almost everyday.) I got to see a couple of properties and the environment in which they were located (Super different than Texas). Sadly I didn’t get to visit any of the properties that I would want for a personal home, but maybe I can do that on my next trip. I once remember someone saying that if you want an expensive new car then go to the car dealership, find the car you want, sit in the car, and have someone take pictures of you in the car. Supposedly this will help to reinforce the mental attitude needed to get you to your goal of attaining the car. Because if you can see yourself in it then you can more easily grasp the concept of how to get the goal.

Where the magic happens….. So I was at Coral Castle, (a beautiful place, If you have never been there then you need to go)  When I got to Homestead, I had scheduled a visit with a real estate agent that I was going to pay  money to so that she will show me properties in Homestead, but sadly that deal fell thru. I was pretty bummed and had to come up with plan B. What was plan B….just try and find properties on Zillow and visit them. I know pretty creative right? But what other choice did my caveman mind have.

So I walk into coral castle. And I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I remember talking to one of the ladies at the front desk. I remember asking her questions about Homestead, about the storm that had recently ripped away part of the building. I remember asking when’s the busy time of the year for Coral Castle and for Homestead in general. Is it this way for all of Homestead? Whats the weather usually like? Things like that. I also told her that I am asking because I would like to one day move to Homestead as well as buy property there in Homestead. And of all the places and of all the times, like magic, she said “Well you should talk to Tom.” I said, who is Tom. She replied, “He is one of our tour guides that also does real estate”. To make a long story short. Not only did I sit with a real estate agent, but I also sat with a mortgage broker. I think this is where I should interject…. How did this happen? Me meeting Tom and the others? Was it chance? Was it luck?

Oprah Winfrey and others define luck as “Preparation meeting the moment of opportunity”. And I can honestly say that Tony Robbins is now paying off. At least in this instance. When it comes to preparation…… In one of his many speeches that I have now listened to for many years I have heard him say that you must ask questions. Yet it is more important to ask the right questions. But for me at this juncture in my life and dream attainment, I must learn to at least start asking many questions. and as often as possible engage in dialog. The more I practice this then the better I will get at communication and as well as being able to verbally define what it is that I am looking for as well as being able to understand those around me.

So I later that I night I sat with Tom, the real estate agent, and the mortgage broker, and an insurance person at a Starbucks that is somewhere between Miami and Homestead. I couldn’t see the area very well because it was dark and a little rainy, but the homes in the area seemed uber expensive. We talked real estate in Florida and more specifically Homestead and what it is that I am looking for and where I am currently financially in my life and business. Sadly at this moment nothing panned out. Truthfully, I wasn’t ready to proceed forward with a mortgage broker, my finances are not yet in order and hell, I haven’t even finished my 2016 taxes. But I did consider it a success that I found someone in Florida that I can at least jump start work with when I am ready.

After our meeting I was hungry. Earlier that day I went Scuba diving off the coast of Key Largo. So I ate breakfast like really early and then there at the dive shop I hired a personal guide for the dive. (her name was Amy, in her early 20’s, super nice and in some way, was or went to school to be a marine biologist, but took a temporary detour to be a scuba diving instructor and work on becoming a boat captain) Everyone else shared a guide for the dive. For me, I wanted someone specifically for me in case I did something wrong underwater or needed help at an instance. My dive was quite wonderful. I took many pictures. Most did not come out too good, but man…..swimming with the fishes was awesome. To see these beautiful bright colored creatures and for  some of them to literally swim next to me as if I am just another fish in the water was super cool. I even remember being near a school of barracudas. To watch them hoovering in unison like their just waiting for something to happen (maybe they were just chilling idk) That was a bit terrifying. I had to remember what my teachings said. Do not interact. Do not be afraid. Just be an observer. It was a bit difficult because I am almost 40 feet underwater and I am outnumbered by 30 to one with these barracudas. It wasn’t the barracuda fish themselves that made my heart and mind race a bit, but instead to know that I could easily turn out to not be the highest on the food chain anymore. This can put a bit of emotions into anyone. Plus it was more of seeing their razor sharp teeth (as if they are hungry) and that fact that they can out run me like no other. Although, in spite of the momentary terror, it was an awesome feeling and worth experiencing. It’s not often that a poor Latin man from the poor westside of San Antonio gets to experience things that many others will never do or see. Especially in person. (I’m smiling now) Prayer: Thank you God, this life is not easy for me, guess it’s not supposed to be, and I wish it was, but thank you for that experience. May I have many more. Love, Max.)

So yeah, I got off topic, After the meeting at Starbucks, as I said I was hungry because I had not eaten since that morning. Tom and his wife offered to show me a good restaurant in Cutler Bay that I would like (Cuban). These Cuban places are pretty popular now. It was a great dinner. Turns out, by the stroke of luck????? LOL. idk. if it’s luck but dinner with Tom and his wife was very intrinsic and spiritual in some way. We talked about life, Buddhism, Reki, and many things connected to the soul, and even some of my buried past. It was just a beautifully odd feeling to have met people like that, especially when I am there to look into buying property in Florida. Maybe it was God talking to me, then again now in hindsight maybe it was Coral Castle. And the fact that Tom would not work there if he did not in some way like Coral Castle and the mystery behind it. But for him to also be in real estate???? Guess there are some things that I will never know. But overall, I really enjoyed most of the trip and look forward to doing it again next November. Hopefully this time I won’t have to do it alone.

Guess to sum it up, the trip to visit the city that I will one day live in and buy property in was very positive. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and take a step forward to something that I said I will do. It allowed me to meet new and interesting people, it allowed my soul to once again touch South Beach. I got some good food in my tummy. And I have been able to put steps forward to my future. Now I need to focus on money at the club and the completion of the School St. property.

Wish me luck,

Love,

Max.