My last trip to Florida was 25 years ago when I went to Orlando to receive a student award.

Miami, Orlando and Tampa are the common top three choices for anyone who wants to enjoy the sun during the cold winter months in the North. St. Petersburg, the fourth largest city in Florida is an unusual trip for me for one good reason. My decision to see an old friend of mine who has moved there three years ago, and she is someone that I have not seen since I left Chicago in 1992!
My trip started well with an upgrade to first class from United Airlines. I arrived late at Tampa International Airport, and when May pulled over to pick me up, it sure didn't seems that long we last saw each other.

The drive from the airport to Gulfport is about 45 minutes. A suburb of St Petersburg, Gulfport has a few name changes between 1884 and 1910 before it finally got its official name. As May turned the street toward her house, I realized that most houses are single stories with huge front lawn. The backyard in the house is even bigger.

With temperature in the 80s' in most days, Gulfport is distinguished by its high concentration of artisans inspired by the intense light and tropical scenery. On the first Friday and third Saturday of each month, the main street in Gulfport is transformed into cultured atmosphere with street performers, artists and craftspeople. The celebration is called "Art Walk" and it is popular among the locals and tourists. Tuesdays are Fresh Market days on Beach Boulevard in the Gulfport Waterfront district. The Market showcases fresh produce, baked goods, plants, arts and crafts with an entertainment of music and songs nearby. A year-round event, I find that it is not a huge crowd pleaser, probably because it is being held on a weekday.

With a mix of small-scale cottages and small independent businesses in proximity of restaurants and cafes situated among mature oak trees, the Gulfport waterfront district has the "Old Florida" feel to it.
May drove me along the coast the next day. Known as St.Pete by the locals, St Petersburg is located on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. St Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Indian Rocks Beach and Clearwater Beach are all intracoastal land connected by causeways and bridges.

Jutting out half a mile into the Bay is the St Petersburg Pier, a major tourist attraction with various activities in downtown St Pete. Well, at least that was what it used to be. Locals are seen taking nice long walks with their dogs, while others are fishing on the dock with the pelicans and seagulls flying freely around the area. A picturesque surrounding, but once inside the Pier, it is pathetic looking with empty shop lots and just a few people. May told me that it might be torn down to make way for a new condominium project.

There are lots of attractions within walking distance. There are Great Explorations (a children's museum), Museum of Fine Arts, a Holocaust Museum, the Salvador Dali Museum, which houses the largest collection of Dali's outside of Europe, and the Sunken Gardens. High rise condominiums situated along the waterfront, with hotels and other office complexes and shopping centers encompass the downtown area. Palm trees and other tropical trees grow to maturity in breezy sunny days make St Pete a perfect paradise to relax and enjoy life after retirement. Known as "God's waiting room," the population in St Pete has shifted in a more youthful direction in recent years.

May works in the bank. As there are not too many Asians living in this area, she is a standout like a living monument. Business owner knows her either by name or the girl who 'works in my bank'. We try to catch up as much as we could either in the car while driving, or during and after dinner. I cannot believe that the street is absolutely dead as night falls after 7 pm. I remember one night I had wanted to head out after 8, Neil (May's husband) was almost freaking out. "I don't like the idea that Herman is going out this late at night" he said. I obliged. May and her husband sleep at 9 every night, and they wake up around 7 the next day. I sleep late. And I wake up late. It's your choice if you're in paradise.

She has taken me to see the dolphins. "There! there! did you see it" she said with a tone of excitement in her voice. Finally, I sighted the dolphins but I was unable to capture them in pictures. We went to pick sea shells at the Passagrill Beach in St Pete, and May gave me two Sand Dollar shells which were beautiful. We had dim sum, sushi and Chinese takeout, and Neil made us barbecue chicken one night. Finally, I made a new friend, Finn, a furry dog with long brown hair.

As we hugged goodbye at the airport, I was hoping I don't have to wait another 20 years to see my old friend again.