Right that we went to Miami Beach to visit my Connie, while taking tons of pictures like a tourist and proud of it.

I wanted to try new restaurants that I haven’t been to on previous trips or that had just opened. And one of those restaurants is Cvi.che 105, it is Peruvian food. And of course we had ceviche and try a new drink I’ve never had before is made a Chicha Pisco  Sour, and a fruity yet tangy flavor.

After lunch we went to our hotel to check-in, unpack and chill for a little. Before heading out to dinner to celebrate our Anniversary, which was the actual day that we arrived.

The went to Toscana Divino at Mary Brickell Village in the Brickell area (where I grew up). I had my mandatory Rose, which goes with every on the menu.

Day # 2 it was time to explore new places and familiar ones and visit more friends and a little of “Me” time. First we stopped at my friends’ Corrine salon in Coral Gables, Jean Claude Biguine a french franchise. I haven’t seen her in 4 years, way too long. She has been doing my color ever since she moved from Lyon to Miami. And of course she wanted to do my hair color (’cause she is the best colorist in the world, no exaggeration) I couldn’t say no.

Then I went to visit my friend Gisella at her Oxygen Spa, where I’ve been getting my facials for over 10 years. She is a skincare guru, and I haven’t seen her in 2 years, this trip was very emotional, some many mixed feelings and wondering if we should move back to Miami (never say never).

After my new hair color and a facial, we wanted to take a few picture to capture it all for our memories and the blog.

We drove from Coral Gables to Coconut Grove all through Bayshore Drive, to capture pictures of the Vizcaya, Dinner Key Marina and Grove Isle.

And then crossed the Rickenbacker bridge to Key Biscayne, when it started raining, so we took as many pictures as possible before running to the car.

Day #3, we went back to Coral Gables and one of my favorite mall in Miami, Merrick Park and Coconut Grove’s Main Highway and Commodore Plaza to shoot an outfit for Cabi clothing Spring collection.

Right after that we went to Wynwood, to take some street and graffiti art . This area has changed so much since I moved to LA, so much beauty, art, murals, restaurants and shopping. I need to spend more time here next time.

Because after having lunch, I started feeling ill. So we went to hotel to rest. The stomach pain was so intense I thought it was food poisoning, Douglas went to the pharmacy to get a few to make feel better.

I had a dinner date with a girlfriend and had to cancel (and if you know me you know I never cancel), so that’s how bad I felt. After taking several thing, the pain wouldn’t go away, so I asked Douglas to please take to the hospital.

We get to Doctor’s Hospital in Coral Gables on a Friday night (’cause that’s how I roll), the pain was so intense I could walk, sit. I have never felt this kind of pain before. They did a few test, and the Doctor comes back saying I had gallstones and I needed to surgery to have my gallbladder removed.

I started crying, I got so scared, idea of surgery makes me really nervous. But the pain killers kicked in, I could actually start relaxing and accepting what had to be done.

Then my brain started thinking all the things I still needed to do, starting with my friends birthday the following day, so much work and photoshoots that were pending. I thought I would leave the following day, but how wrong was I.

Then I realized we have no control of certain things in life, we make plans but everything can change at any time. Saturday afternoon I had surgery and obviously I wasn’t going to be able to the my friend’s party that I travel cross country to go to, because it was that evening. But I did ask Douglas to go for a few hours and have fun and tell everyone what had happen to me.

I wasn’t going to able to do a swimwear photoshoot for a big brand I had scheduled and in my mind I was thinking, I have no control it and it is what it is. My health comes first, and I want to be healthy for my family.

I didn’t have the strength to text or email anyone, so my sisters and Douglas help me with it. Our ticket back to LA was booked for the Sunday, but I wasn’t allowed to leave the hospital for a few days. Douglas had important meetings and a business trip, so they logical thing to do was for him to go ahead with his plans. So he left to go back home, thank God I had my sisters with me, they took care of me and when I got discharged from the hospital Monday night I went to my sister Giovanna’s house, so I was in good hands.

Thursday morning I had my post-op check up and everything looked good and I was given the okay by the doctor to travel back home, so just like that I packed a few I had with me and flew 6 hours to go back home. It was such an uncomfortable flight, I tried to sleep but I couldn’t they scar was hurting me too much.

So this is my Miami Travel Diaries with a twist, all I can say life is full of surprises and we have to live every single day to the fullest. Let’s be kind to one another, don’t do to other what you don’t want other to do to you, and we should be good. Surround yourself with good people and don’t take things too serious, these are mottoes and I live by them.