The ticket there turned out to be terribly expensive – $230 for two days. The park was huge, consisting of two themed sub-parks, so the decision to spend two days there seemed the most rational. And we didn't regret it!

Most impressive was the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter," which immerses visitors in the atmosphere of the film. There you have Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Ollivanders, the train, Platform 9 3⁄4, and even butterbeer!

(His Majesty - Hogwarts)

Besides the Potter universe, Universal park had a bunch of other attractions dedicated to their famous films: The Simpsons, Transformers, The Avengers, Minions. Most of them are modern rides with 3D technology, where you literally become a hero of the movie. I've been to many famous theme parks before, but I've never seen anything like this. That's why Universal is a must-see in Orlando.

(Krusty the Clown's world from The Simpsons)

(The real Moe's Tavern)

On the very first day, after a mountain of impressions, we decided to head to the famous (for me, from the show "The Big Bang Theory") restaurant, "The Cheesecake Factory." Penny worked there in the show. This place is famous in America for its delicious and varied cheesecakes. At first, we waited 40 minutes for the hostess to seat us (which, by the way, is quite normal in America – waiting so long for a table), then after a long study of the menu, we placed our order. And what was our surprise when the waiter brought a whole basin of salad! (Almost like mom makes Olivier salad for New Year's). It turns out that all the portions in the restaurant were simply gigantic; even the Americans themselves couldn't finish them. In the end, we were literally stuffing the praised cheesecakes into ourselves with forks for dessert. And then everyone wonders – why do Americans suffer from obesity?

(in the Cheesecake factory)

The next day, after the cheesecake binge, we went back to the park. We saw everything we didn't have time for yesterday, rode the remaining attractions without much rush, and with a calm soul, headed to Miami.

(Avengers zone in the park)

("Revenge of the Mummy")

(Entering Miami)

We were heading to a suburb of Miami – the city of Hollywood. Not the one where they film movies, but its namesake in the state of Florida. And we were going there specifically because we found Bram on Couchsurfing, a resident of Hollywood with a gorgeous villa on the oceanfront. He was ready to host us and sent his coordinates. His house seemed like a little piece of paradise to us after three months of living in an American "dorm." A pool with lighting, a DJ booth, a huge number of modern sculptures and paintings, a billiard table, a large bar, and other joys that fell to us students for free couldn't help but cause wild delight. Moreover, Bram put us in the guest house, allocated two huge rooms with separate bathrooms and kitchens. We arrived in Hollywood quite late, so Bram, after showing us the house, almost immediately excused himself to sleep. And we, satisfied and happy, went to "appropriate" his bar and pool.

(Bram's villa during the day)

(Villa at night)

Having a car made our stay in Miami much easier. From Hollywood to the center, the journey took half an hour (according to the stupid navigator). But, of course, that didn't stop us from driving three times longer every day because the road junctions in Miami are a nightmare for a beginner driver. Buses, although they run on schedule, are quite rare. Once an hour, for example. And walking along the highways is painfully long and irrational. Once, Veronika and I walked for about an hour to a store that was at most a 10-minute drive away.

(Police booth on Miami Beach)

(Beach)

Miami is remembered for its incredible stuffiness and humidity. And even though the locals called September a long-awaited relief after the sweltering summer, for us, the weather was simply unbearable even at night. But "nothing could spoil that trip," so we remember Miami for its "picture-perfect" palm trees, the beach, the shops (Miami has several huge outlet malls with big discounts), the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and the Wynwood Walls.

(Vizcaya Museum and Gardens - in the last century, an insanely rich businessman built himself a Renaissance-style castle, which today is a must-visit attraction for tourists)

(Art district in Miami - Wynwood Walls)