Well, Rosie has been on my case for a long time about this and finally she got fed up and just made an appointment for me. I had no choice but to get studying and go.
A lot of websites tell you the requirements for whatever kind of license you want. NOT ONE of them told me what I really needed. I wanted a "First Time Florida Driver's License" as I never had a Florida or even US license before. A website claimed I had to have a DATA (Drug and Alcohol Traffic Awareness) test. This was required for everybody who needs a first time license. The course took 4 hours!! and cost $29 plus another $10 to get the certificate by e-mail. At the DMV I was NEVER ask to prove this. Total rip off!
Another website stated I'd need hearing and vision tests at the DMV ... nope, nothing.
So what was really required?
I was asked to present my Social Security Number, my proof of residency (i.e. green card), my old pink paper German driving license and I had to write down my Florida address on a piece of paper. I was asked to step back in front of a blue screen (a sheet hanging from the ceiling) to take a picture and send over to a computer terminal for a "written exam". The exam consisted of 40 questions: 20 on Road Rules (not the MTV series!) and 20 on Road Signs. To my shame I have to admit that I got 2 questions wrong, but who knows the maximum length of a tow bar between 2 cars is 15 feet, if you haven't studied? and for the other one "All of the above" is always correct! Nobody told me that and I was surprised to hear that for a first time DUI conviction you can get up to 9 (nine) months in prison. That's scary! Don't drink and drive!!!!
After this I came back to the desk and was hoping to get my license there and then as I have seen other people get theirs. No, sorry, I got a printout. this can be used as a temporary license until I receive my proper ID card in the post. So now I have to wait 10 to 14 days.
How easy is that?
Friday, May 30, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
After record heat comes a lot of rain
This weekend we had temperatures above 33C (91F) and spent a wonderful day at the beach in South Beach. Today started off just as nice, but then the clouds came in, it started to rain and thunder and lightning followed soon. Quite a sight.
Usually you can see Downtown from our balcony to the right...
Usually you can see Downtown from our balcony to the right...
Monday, May 12, 2008
Bad weather in Miami
... so we flee across Florida to the gulf coast.
It was Rosie's last "golden weekend" for quite some time to come and we wanted to get away. A quick search found The Inn on Fifth in Naples, FL (www.innonfifth.com), a nice little boutique hotel with a spa.
We arrived in Naples after just 2 hours on the road and had no problems finding the hotel. Our room was on the top floor (3rd), but didn't offer us any kind of view, as the window was right across from the local theater only divided by a very narrow alley.
It was too early for dinner, so we went out to explore the area. It was about 5pm and the place was deserted ... hardly anybody walking around, not many cars and the restaurants were empty. We picked Truluck's for dinner, a very nice seafood restaurant (www.trulucks.com), and headed back to our room to freshen up and get change for dinner. The food was great: I had a Tuna Tartare Tower as starter and Thai Chili Day Boat Scallops as entree. Rosie stared with a Lobster Bisque and than had Blue Crap Topped Gulf Red Snapper. All so very yummy with a 2006 Riesling from Germany!!
The next day
Up early to go and work uot in the hotel gym. After that heading out for breakfast in one of the little cafes along 5th Ave. On from there to the beach, all only a short walk down the road. As we didn't bring towels or chairs to sit on we only walked along the beach. The water is so much warmer there than here in Miami. We came back hungry and had a small lunch at Mc Cabe's Irish Pub, that's part of our hotel. After that it was alreadt time for Rosie's spa treatment and I got to rest.
For our dinner, we chose the Cafe & Bar Lurcat (www.cafelurcat.com), because we liked it when we walked past during the day. The place looked fantastic and the food kept that promise too: Kobe Beef Carpaccio as starter and Seard Ahi with Lemon Confit for me and Rosie enjoyed the day's special Alaskan Halibut. Deserts were Key Lime Cheesecake and ice cream respectivly. Prices were lower than we are used to in Miami, so that came as a special bonus.
We had a very relaxing time enjoyed everything. A shame that we'll have to wait some time before we can do it again.
It was Rosie's last "golden weekend" for quite some time to come and we wanted to get away. A quick search found The Inn on Fifth in Naples, FL (www.innonfifth.com), a nice little boutique hotel with a spa.
We arrived in Naples after just 2 hours on the road and had no problems finding the hotel. Our room was on the top floor (3rd), but didn't offer us any kind of view, as the window was right across from the local theater only divided by a very narrow alley.
It was too early for dinner, so we went out to explore the area. It was about 5pm and the place was deserted ... hardly anybody walking around, not many cars and the restaurants were empty. We picked Truluck's for dinner, a very nice seafood restaurant (www.trulucks.com), and headed back to our room to freshen up and get change for dinner. The food was great: I had a Tuna Tartare Tower as starter and Thai Chili Day Boat Scallops as entree. Rosie stared with a Lobster Bisque and than had Blue Crap Topped Gulf Red Snapper. All so very yummy with a 2006 Riesling from Germany!!
The next day
Up early to go and work uot in the hotel gym. After that heading out for breakfast in one of the little cafes along 5th Ave. On from there to the beach, all only a short walk down the road. As we didn't bring towels or chairs to sit on we only walked along the beach. The water is so much warmer there than here in Miami. We came back hungry and had a small lunch at Mc Cabe's Irish Pub, that's part of our hotel. After that it was alreadt time for Rosie's spa treatment and I got to rest.
For our dinner, we chose the Cafe & Bar Lurcat (www.cafelurcat.com), because we liked it when we walked past during the day. The place looked fantastic and the food kept that promise too: Kobe Beef Carpaccio as starter and Seard Ahi with Lemon Confit for me and Rosie enjoyed the day's special Alaskan Halibut. Deserts were Key Lime Cheesecake and ice cream respectivly. Prices were lower than we are used to in Miami, so that came as a special bonus.
We had a very relaxing time enjoyed everything. A shame that we'll have to wait some time before we can do it again.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Another birthday
Now it was Flavia's time. Of course I won't disclose her age, and no questions regarding this will be answered.
As we like to do, we met up for a great dinner to mark the occasion. This time we fancied a taste of the Spanish cuisine. Living next door to "Little Havana" and a vast part of the Spanish speaking community in Miami, it was not difficult to find a fitting restaurant. Casa Juancho (www.casajuancho.com) was chosen and we embarked on our 6-minute-journey to Cale Ocho.
The food was great! 3 of us got totally stuffed on Paella Valenciana. Only Rinaldo, who doesn't eat shellfish (bad allergies!!) opted for fish. Together with a couple of bottles of wine it was a culinary experience of the most favorable kind.
The Roeders and the Alfinitos
The band! and the guests
I ate too much again....(no, these are swimming shorts!!)
I wonder where we'll go next...
As we like to do, we met up for a great dinner to mark the occasion. This time we fancied a taste of the Spanish cuisine. Living next door to "Little Havana" and a vast part of the Spanish speaking community in Miami, it was not difficult to find a fitting restaurant. Casa Juancho (www.casajuancho.com) was chosen and we embarked on our 6-minute-journey to Cale Ocho.
The food was great! 3 of us got totally stuffed on Paella Valenciana. Only Rinaldo, who doesn't eat shellfish (bad allergies!!) opted for fish. Together with a couple of bottles of wine it was a culinary experience of the most favorable kind.
The Roeders and the Alfinitos
The band! and the guests
I ate too much again....(no, these are swimming shorts!!)
I wonder where we'll go next...
Roeder Technical Translation now in Business
It took a while to get all the required documentation together, but setting up a company was very easy afterwards. Roeder Technical Translation is in business since May 1 2008. Let's see, if I can make some money. ;-)
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