Miami Vice & Mild Humidity: A Slightly-Sloppy Dive
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. 4160711… seriously, what even is that? it’s just a number, right? like, a really long, confusing number. and 1840014244? don’t even get me started. i just landed in *Miami*, and honestly, it’s… a thing. a humid, pastel-colored thing.
I checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 24.46 degrees, feels like 25.31, temp min 23.99, max 25.56. the pressure’s holding steady at 1015, humidity’s clinging to me like a second skin - 90%. it’s basically a sauna with a view of the ocean. which, you know, is nice, i guess.
I’m staying in Little Havana, which is…loud. like, aggressively loud. salsa music blasting from every doorway, guys yelling about dominoes, the smell of Cuban coffee thick in the air. it’s a sensory overload in the best possible way, i think. i found this place called ‘El Exquisito’ - seriously, the food is incredible. i had ropa vieja that tasted like it was made with love and a whole lotta mojo. I heard that they use a secret family recipe, passed down for generations. someone told me that the owner, Miguel, used to be a professional jai alai player. wild, right?
I spent the afternoon wandering around South Beach, dodging sunbathers and trying not to look like a complete tourist. It’s all very… glossy. Like a magazine spread. Lots of pastel buildings, art deco, and people wearing sunglasses even when it’s cloudy. I almost tripped over a guy in a vintage linen suit. Seriously, the fashion here is a whole vibe. I’m thinking of hitting up Lincoln Road Mall tomorrow - Yelp says it’s packed with shops and restaurants.
Speaking of restaurants, I stumbled upon this place called ‘Versailles’ - it’s a classic Cuban spot. I overheard a group of guys talking about how they come here every week for their ‘al día’ - roasted pork with rice and beans. They were practically drooling over it. I’m definitely trying that. I heard that the mojitos are legendary.
My gear list is a disaster, as usual. Camera? check. Too many lenses. Notebook? check. Covered in coffee stains. Portable charger? check. Currently at 12%. And a surprisingly large collection of band-aids. You never know when you’re going to need a band-aid in Miami. Especially if you’re dodging sunbathers.
If you get bored, Fort Lauderdale is just a short drive away. It’s a bit more… subdued, i guess. Less chaotic. More yacht-filled. I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet. I need my dose of Cuban craziness.
I’m also planning on checking out Wynwood Walls tomorrow - apparently, it’s a huge outdoor street art museum. TripAdvisor says it’s worth the visit. I’m hoping to get some cool photos for my Instagram. (Don’t tell anyone I’m on Instagram).
Seriously, this place is… intense. It’s like stepping into a movie. A really, really humid movie. I’m going to go find another coffee. And maybe a stronger one.
Check out this local board for events: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/fl--miami/street-art/
And for more Miami goodness: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g31597-Miami_Florida.html
Don't forget to check out some local eats: https://www.yelp.com/directory/restaurants/miami-fl
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