Miami Recap

I just returned from a 5 day visit to Miami.

What can I say? Miami, as exciting as it sounds is like a deep dark (or sunny) hole that just sucks your money, gives you a little fun and lots of sunshine in compensation, but it sucks you dry nonetheless. I came back with an empty purse, this is even after I begged myself to keep my money very close during the trip. The last time I went to Miami was 2 years ago, and even then I vowed to not come back until I've lost 50 pounds and can comfortably wear a bikini. You would think, why go back so soon after, with the pounds still in existence. Well, my sister was on a business trip with the hotel paid for until Friday so I thought, why not, I deserve a break from the Atlanta social scene (which is getting rather tired by the way), and I could use some sunshine.

So I guess writing about my trip would not really work for this site as it was not an entirely solo trip per se. At times I was accompanied by my very married (oddly conservative) sister. During the day I was by myself, but at night we roamed the streets of Collins Avenue, Lincoln Road and of course, Ocean Drive. Ocean Drive, oh how I've missed thee. This was a much quieter version of Ocean Drive if I may so. So quiet that I could walk comfortably on the narrow paths of the street without bumping into people, without being propositioned by drunken men, without being shoved by women trying to find a spot to barf! Not sure I like this version that's devoid of theatrics. Maybe, this is Miami in the off-season, with as much sun but not as much color, no frills, just derelicts. Perhaps, this would be a good time for me to unleash my non-bikini ready bod at the beach. Hold on, not so fast.

This trip also afforded me the occasion to visit with other sides of Miami. The down town area, Biscayne Boulevard and Coconut Grove. All of which were all artistic driven - or artsy-fartsy as they say. The downtown area with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Arts, also took in the random Mona Lisa Exhibit, then Coconut Grove and the Coco Walk Art Walk that very conveniently occurs on the first Saturday of the month. Now, I can place the crazy side of Miami with the artistic side, which is an unknown side to Miami.

All these people gathered for a free HIV test. Nah, just kidding...it was Oktoberfest.

Downtown Biscayne Boulevard and 2nd Ave

Adrienne Arsht Center Downtown.

The View from my downtown hotel room at the Hilton.

The intersection of Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive.

My last glimpse of Coco Walk.

Miami Heat

Me after one too many. There's a theme in there somewhere.

Coconut Grove...Boats on the Bay. How tranquil.

A few observations as I spent my days roaming the streets.

1. Coconut Grove I suppose is the Buckhead/Ikoyi end of Miami. Very quiet and withdrawn with yuppies on their bikes or their boats along the bay. Interesting turn. You always think everyone would want to live close to the beach because that's where the action is...after experiencing this place and it's welcome quiet, I would take this over the beach chaos. It was a refreshing pace to Miami.

2. Biscayne Boulevard - Whilst on a a leisurely stroll through Biscayne Boulevard, I bumped into Lil Wayne's official tattoo artist - Dow Hokoana (a very big tatted up, long dreaded having blonde lady on a Harley, yep, screams do not mess with me). That was unexpected.

3. Coco Walk - Art Walk - Unlike the art walks in Atlanta where the wine flows freely because there are hardly people in attendance. Miami's Art Walk is packed. 30 minutes after start time and the wine has run out and the food was following closely behind. Either people came just to eat and drink or they really do love the art. Can't decide?

4. Miami folk are not very chatty. The Bartenders probably don't even know what it means to be personable, maybe cause they force feed you with the gratuity charge every where you go, or the fact that for most of their wait staff English just may be their 2nd language.

5. I was surprisingly the only Nappy haired chic within a 100 mile radius. Folks even stared at my Nappy Do as if I had lost my mind. I guess, the Nappy haired movement hasn't made its way to Miami. Or, the black chicks have to stay trendy and on point to compete with all the bodacious Latinas, beats me. But seriously until I got to Atlanta, I still hadn't seen a sista with Nappy hair throughout my 5 day stay.

6. The gentleman at dinner at Lulu's who just happened to be celebrating his birthday that night. We were talking about looking your age and getting older and he just casually mentioned that that day, Saturday, October 1st was his birthday. It just caused me to look twice at him and think, this is no different from what I would normally do on my birthday. I would sit at the bar of a restaurant and order some very good food (he had steak tips) to enjoy with some wine while people watching and taking in the day and the long year ahead. He didn't as much as want to tell the bartender that it was his birthday, which I would do to score some free booze. He just wanted to sit there and drink rum and cokes, and rest and commiserate about the year ahead all by his lonesome self.  It got me wondering that if men can sit alone on their birthday, why is it such a big deal for women to do the same.

7. Finally, another gentleman at dinner (yes, I had dinner twice on the same night) who mentioned something rather memorable. He said, when you take pictures, even if it's just a hobby, it should have a theme. He said he has a friend who takes pictures of strong women, and another who takes pictures of homeless people...all such valid themes. I take pictures but I don't have a theme. I just take them to match the mood I am in, at that moment, especially if the scene is something I want to replay forever. I guess, I probably should think about a recurring theme.

So that's Miami in a wrap. Fun times. This time I promised that if I ever go back (along with loosing 50 pounds) I would stay close to Coconut Grove to take in the tranquil palm tree lined streets but also close enough to feel the heat and excitement of South Beach.