After wrapping up "Dragons" in Indianapolis on Dec 2, the Blue unit performers got a much needed 5 weeks off! Ringling Brothers has 3 touring circus units, however, and the other two shows (dubbed the red unit and the gold unit) were in full rehearsals in Tampa over the holidays, preparing to open brand new shows.
After visiting the Tampa rehearsals for a couple weeks, better known as "Winter Quarters,"visiting Ringling's Center For Elephant Conservation in Florida (fed an elephant for the first time!) and even
making it up to NYC for a PR event n Brooklyn, I got to go home and spend the holidays with family and friends in Minnesota.
Today, we wrap up our 2 week "re-opening" engagement in Miami! Miami has been a frenzied and hectic two weeks with extra rehearsals, the addition of a new troupe on the unit, and trying to get back into work mode. However, it's been great to have my sister, Sarah visiting me!
We've definitely done all the quintessential Miami things since her arrival- hit up the beach on several occasions, eaten and drunk Cuban food and coffee (it packs a little more espresso punch than American coffee does), hit up ocean side shops and restaurants, and of course, drank fresh coconut water out of coconuts! :) I've of course, also tried to give Sarah the full circus experience.
Last but not least, the Ringling elephants seemed to be quite popular in Miami. They hit Ocean Drive, decked out in beach attire, upon our arrival. Since then, they also made an appearance on The Today Show from their bayside animal area here in Miami.
Up next is Nashville and and the Carolinas - definitely cooler weather than I'm getting here in Miami, but definitely warmer than the -35 degree wind chill I'm hearing about back home in Minnesota ... I'll take it.
Until next time!
