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Not even a new dress and a pair of shoes could coax me out!
So, I'm in Tampa. Yesterday was awesome. I don't think we could've jammed more into our day. I've been in the hotel room most of today. First, I attempted to sleep in. Didn't exactly go as I planned. I think I have the most uncomfortable bed ever. Much tossing and turning occured last night. Steve didn't sleep well either, so it wasn't just me.
This morning, Steve's 11am meeting got bumped back to oh, 2pm. And the guys he was meeting with wanted to go to lunch. That left poor ol' me sitting in the hotel room. I was still stuffed from dinner last night (Awesome Cuban restaurant and dude, there was flan, I had to eat it). I didn't anticipate being hungry anytime soon. Steve tried to encourage me to go out to explore the city, ALONE. Seriously, women rarely go to the bathroom by theirselves and he expects me to walk around a strange city. Then he had the audacity to suggest I go buy myself a new dress and shoes. Tempting as that was, that would require me to figure out how to get across town AND spend the day wandering by myself far from the security of my hotel. Ok, I have issues, I'll admit it. So I didn't attempt it because I am a scaredy cat.
I did walk 4 blocks to get lunch and buy deodorant and hairspray. Sure, the hotel gave us complimentary deodorant, but it was made in china and with all the lead scare lately, I just wanted to get some of my own. I did put on the hotel deodorant before I left because having body odor is scarier to me than getting lead poisoning.
I stopped at a deli and got a Cuban. At first, when researching Tampa, I read in many restaurant reviews "and the Cubans are awesome!". I'm thinking, wow, I'm glad the local people are nice, but it seems a little un-PC to refer to them like that. So I did a little more research and found out that a Cuban is also a local sandwich. Me, I'm all about diving into local culture and cuisine so I braved the 3 blocks to the deli for lunch. It was good, but I don't think they made it right. I should've taken the hotel shuttle to Ybor City to get an authentic one, but, uh, yes, I was scared. And I had no cash to tip. That's downright embarrassing to me, so it sealed the deal that I wouldn't be venturing far from the hotel.
Tonight, I think we are going to try this Brazilian steakhouse I found on the internets. (I love yahoo's city search type stuff.) I'll leave all the picture posting to Steve. He's much better at it than I am. I am also too lazy to upload and edit the photos. I think I'll just nap while waiting for Steve to get back, shouldn't be too much longer.
Comments
I loved the Cuban food I had when I was in Florida. Delish.
Also, if you ever get the chance to have a Chilean (which, yes, is not anywhere close to Cuba, but it's what I thought of when I read this post) sandwich, do it. Sooooo tasty. Boston has a restaurant called Chacerero's which makes delicious Chilean sandwiches, if you're ever up that way.
Oh gosh. I'm hungry now.
I would have totally explored with you! And shopped. And dined.
And I loved, " I'm glad the local people are nice, but it seems a little un-PC to refer to them like that."
Well, I was going to eat at the deli by myself. I was going to be all brave and step out of my comfort zone, but I guess I looked like I couldn't handle it, because they made it to go! I took the hint and ate it alone in my hotel room while blogging. I'm so pathetic. :-)
Now his job doesn't require that he travel that often..it figures.
Tamps is fun. I would try to get to Channelside, there's a great kinda outdoor center thing there. Great place, with a fabu tapas resurant.... Ummm.... Cna't think of the name.....
Ybor is nice, I would really suggest bringing a friend, there are some wierd areas and it's kinda easy to get lost if you wander too far.
I used to live in Tampa, so if you are gonna be there for another day or so, and want a suggestion, let me know.
And most important, Have Fun!
i used to have no problem wandering about alone... now i find that after several years of marriage i hate going anywhere by myself. hehe. i am so co-dependent.
We only had a few hours of one evening there, so didn't get to see much. We spent the bulk of that particular trip in Orlando, which I really liked. That is, until Hurricane Jeannie sent us home a day early. Bah.
Sounds like you all are getting to see a lot more than we did! Good for you.
Also, if you're a drinker, go to the Hub.
If you like indy movie theatres go to the Tampa Theatre.
You've been 3 minutes from my house at the beach, so that's taken care of.
PM me if you want any more suggestions...I've gotta jet...
I love a good Cuban sandwich. Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant here makes them but they aren't as good as the one I had for lunch when I was in St. John in the Virgin Islands. MMMM!
Yes! That's it!
We went for my sister's bachlorette party last year.
Very yummy.