My First Solo Travel Trip

A couple weeks ago I traveled to Miami to go to the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) which is an independent film festival that focuses primarily on works by Black members of the film industry. This film festival has been on my ‘to-do’ list forever.  Every year it would roll around and I would always think to myself “I’m going next year”.  Well this year, instead of thinking it, I verbally said aloud that I was going.  You know…I threw it into the universe. À la “The Secret”.

Up until a week prior to the festival I wasn’t even going.  Well the ‘laws of attraction’ must have worked because my press credentials finally came through at the last minute.  Which was great, but I still didn’t have a flight ticket, a place to stay and nor did I request the time off of work.  I started looking for a plane ticket that evening I got my press credentials. I figured if I could find a decent plane ticket than it was meant to be.  And I crossed my fingers that I would get the time off.  Low and behold…I found a ticket for under $200 (combined with my $9 Spirit Fare Club). I know everyone hates Spirit because everything is à la carte and they charge you for EVERYTHING except using the bathroom (which I’m sure is next), but they never let me down…so I thought.

Trying to stay juiced up during my 6 hour airport delay.

I cab it to the airport because I was running late only to find out that my flight was delayed six hours.  And the only explanation they would give was that it was weather.  Which was some bull because one of the other passengers told me that she knew the flight was delayed last night.  Let’s just say folks weren’t happy.  I was mad because not only did I spend $30 in cab fare to the airport when I could have taken the $2.50 bus, but because my flight was delayed so long I missed the first night of festivities at the ABFF.

My airport struggle breakfast

Let’s rewind to the night before at around 11pm when I still didn’t have a place to stay in Miami since everything was so last minute.  Everyone told me to try Priceline.  Which I did but Priceline wasn’t feeling me at all.  I was trying to use the ‘name your price’ option and it basically laughed at me.  Look…I love to travel…but on a budget.  It was 11pm and I was running out of options.  My girlfriend (bless her heart) offered to let me use her work discount which was great but the weekend price inflated significantly over the weekend. So once again I was back at square one.

I put a call out to this travel Facebook group I belong to asking for help.  And everyone told me to try Airbnb. So I quickly logged onto Airbnb and set up an account.  Which it was easy since it let me do it via Facebook.  For those that don’t know, Airbnb is a social website that connects people who have space to spare with those who are looking for a place to stay.  It’s a great concept, but I wasn’t trying to share a room or space with anyone during my trip.  It’s just not my style.  But thankfully there were private apartments available. I was able to find a cute art deco apartment in the heart of South Beach for $85 a night.

The location of the apartment was great! It was right by Collins, Lincoln and Ocean Drive which are the happening spots in South Beach. Everything was within walking distance and when it was too hot to walk places I just took the South Beach Local 25¢ Bus to my destinations.  I have been to Miami more times than I count but I have always stayed on the strip and never got a chance to explore.  Because I stayed in a residential area I became more familiar with South Beach.  I would have never discovered the local Wholefoods, Panera or Pollo Tropical.

This was my first solo trip.  Sure, I have traveled by myself before but it was always to visit someone.  And I must say that I really enjoyed it.  I always say that I’m my best date but now I’m my best travel companion too.  I got to interview director and screenwriter Malcolm D. Lee of Best Man and more recently Best Man Holiday.

I also got to interview Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Morris Chestnut about Best Man Holiday.  Can I just say they are all stunning in person and haven’t aged one bit.

I was interviewed by Aspire TV about one of the movies I saw.  I was asked the most bizarre questions. The host wanted me to imitate a scene from the movie of a 5 year old girl. I wasn’t feeling her questions.  So if somehow I don’t end up on the cutting room floor and you see me on Aspire TV, please don’t judge.

 

I even got to use my photography skills. I caught Darrin Henson and Kali Hawk on the red carpet.  They were promoting their new movie ‘In the Meantime’.

I also got to spend time with family.  I watched the NBA Championships with my cousin at Room Service. My cousin had the hook-up so we stayed in VIP the whole night. (That’s how I like to roll out.) Miami was playing so you know the place was crazy. I saw several police cars when I was walking to the club.  They were waiting just in case folks decided to riot after the game.  You know folks like to get buck wild after championships.

Of course I had to hit the beach.  The weather was nice and the ocean was refreshing.  This is where I was able to do my prayer and ritual that my psychic told me to do.

I had a ball at the American Black Film Festival.  I am a movie buff and I love supporting Black films.  I’m the chick that goes and support opening weekend because that’s when it counts.  I saw many  films that weekend.  But my favorite was the dark comedy ‘Full Circle’.  At only the  tender age of 25, the director and screenwriter, Solvan ‘Slick The Misfit’ Naim, did his thing with this movie.  It was so unique. I have never seen anything like it.  Check out the trailer below.

My time in Miami was fabulous and I can’t wait to do it again. I will say that watching back to back movies over a span of 4 days can get exhausting.

Have you ever been to any film festivals?