RoamingRushka

December 2024

After Thanksgiving in Atlanta, I headed straight back to my parents’ house in the San Francisco Bay Area. It had been months since I last saw my family and friends, so catching up with them was the perfect way to wrap up the year. The time was filled with relaxation, laughter, and heartwarming reunions.

One of my favorite moments during this trip was finally getting to visit Telve, the coffee shop my brother-in-law Fatih recently opened in San Francisco’s Marina District. After months of hard work and planning, seeing his vision come to life—and thrive—was incredibly satisfying. I couldn’t be prouder of Fatih and my sister, whose wedding I had the honor of officiating back in August. Watching them tackle milestones like these is so inspiring.

After a few wonderful weeks of holiday cheer in the Bay, I made my way back to Atlanta to ring in the New Year with Paloma. We celebrated New Year’s Eve at a concert in Little Five Points, my favorite neighborhood in Atlanta due to the fact that it’s a bit more edgy. Let’s just say it reminds me of the Mission District back in San Francisco. Those last few days in Atlanta were a whirlwind of time spent with friends and family before we embarked on our next adventure: Saint Petersburg, Florida.

The idea of wintering in St. Pete came from an unlikely source: a couple we met at The Crane Bar in Galway, Ireland last summer. They raved about the area, planting a seed in our minds that eventually grew into a full-blown plan. After keeping a cautious eye on hurricane activity in the area last year, we decided it was safe to snowbird there for the winter months. When we found a charming standalone rental house in St. Pete, we pounced on the opportunity.

The drive from Atlanta to St. Pete took nine hours, with traffic and several stops along the way. The scenery was captivating, though—the oak trees draped in Spanish moss and the swampy, Southern atmosphere made for a beautiful journey. I kept imagining how many alligators we were passing in the culverts on the side of the road. When we finally arrived, we were warmly greeted by our effervescent host, who handed us the keys, gave us a tour, and then left us to settle into our new home.

It still feels surreal to be here. The weather, though uncharacteristically chilly for this area, is still much warmer than the rest of the East Coast, and the energy in St. Pete is infectious. Downtown is bustling with activity, and everyone we’ve met has been so friendly and laid-back. There is a surprising party energy in some of the areas of downtown, with bass bumping fitness cycle classes surrounded by to-go cocktail bars with live music.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness of the more popular areas. Vinoy Park, for example, is a great thoroughfare for walkers, beach volleyball players, and park goers, yet there is no trash or signs of homelessness. On our walk last weekend, the only refuse we saw was a beached sailboat that actually enhanced the vibe of the area by becoming an impromptu art piece.

In just our second weekend here, we’ve already had some incredible experiences. Today, for example, we sat in on a rehearsal for Norwegian Cruise Line dancers. Being the only two people in the audience while they sang and danced felt like a private show—it was magical. Thank you to Paloma’s aunt Isabel, who is the choreographer of this troupe and is full of artist charisma. Later, we visited a manatee viewing area built by the Tampa Power company. The clean, warm water pumped out by their plant attracts all kinds of sea life, and from the viewing deck, we saw hundreds of manatees, eagle rays leaping out of the water, tarpons jumping, sharks, and an array of fascinating birds.

This is just the beginning of our time in St. Petersburg, and I’m so excited to see what the rest of western Florida has in store for us. If you’ve spent time in the area or have recommendations for must-visit spots, I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments. Stay tuned for more updates from this sunny new chapter!

-RoamingRushka