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I was invited to participate in the Broward Shell Show in Pompano
Beach last January. It was my intention to fly American Airlines
directly to Miami, but they were charging "only" US$1,700
for the ticket… So I used Copa Airlines to fly to Miami
via Panama and for nearly half the price. It was a good move since
it also allowed me to purchase shells from Jimmy Ernest in Panama.
I also visited my friend Steve Setzer in Arizona. The weather
was good there - a bit cold for Brazilians (20ºF = -7ºC
at night), but no snow. On my way back to Florida, I was supposed
to stop in Dallas, however due to a severe storm, the flight was
diverted to Chicago (slightly colder, 6.8ºF = -14ºC).
At least the flight was beautiful, no clouds so that I was able
to take great pictures from the plane window.
Back in Florida on January 30, I drove from Miami to Pompano
Beach and prepared my shells for the show. The show opened to
the public at noon with few people at first, but later it got
busy. My friend Markus Niiranen came all the way from Finland
to participate in his first show in the US - he came with his
assistant to help - he is 100% blind but knows more about shells
than many collectors with sight! He is able to pick up a shell
and say its name within seconds. Later that night, the club offered
a nice banquet with a digital slide show presented by Rob Masino.
Nancy Galdo announced that it was my birthday, so everyone sang
Happy Birthday making me blush! (thanks Nancy....).
The exhibits were beautiful, deserving of all the prizes they
won!
English checking by J. Wolff
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