One of the tips I always give travel writing students is: Always arrive at events early and stay late. That’s when you witness unscripted moments, moments that most of the other spectators miss.
Saturday evening Hania and I went to see the Miami City Ballet at the Broward Center, and, as usual, we arrived early. We strolled the lobby, which was populated by quite a few other early birds, and then headed outside to the courtyard, which was practically empty. At the west end the window blinds were open, revealing dancers on massage tables getting physical therapy. I pulled out my phone and took a picture. Then we headed into the performance.
The dancing was as exquisite as the music, which ranged from Henry Purcell to Philip Glass.
At the conclusion, we didn’t rush to the parking garage. It was a beautiful evening. The Center, set on a man-made hill overlooking the New River, has always had a commanding view, and now it’s enriched by downtown towers. Walking with the crowds, we heard two couples speaking Polish. Hania immediately engaged them in conversation, which continued all the way down to 2nd Street, where the policeman assigned to ensure a safe crossing happily joined in. He was, he said, from the south of Poland.
