Miami Heat & Humidity: A Photographer's Slightly Sweaty Confession
okay, so miami. it’s…a lot. i landed with a camera bag heavier than my life choices and immediately walked into a wall of air. i just checked and it's hovering around twenty-four degrees, feels like it's trying to actively melt your face off, with humidity levels that could grow mold in your lungs. seriously, eighty-three percent. i’m pretty sure my lenses are fogging up just thinking about it.
i’m a freelance photographer, which basically means i chase light and complain about everything. and miami? it’s a light chaser’s paradise…and a complainer’s goldmine. the colors are insane. like, offensively bright. everything is pastel and chrome and trying to be a music video. i spent the first day just wandering *south beach, trying to capture the vibe. it’s…intense.
i’ve been staying in this little art deco hotel near ocean drive. it’s…charming, let’s say. the walls are paper thin, and i swear i can hear my neighbor practicing the tuba at three in the morning. if you’re looking for a quiet getaway, maybe check out TripAdvisor reviews first. someone told me that the hotels further inland are a bit more…soundproof.
i spent yesterday trying to photograph the street art in wynwood. it’s incredible, honestly. massive murals everywhere. but also, it’s a tourist trap. like, serious tourist trap. you’re constantly dodging selfie sticks and people trying to sell you questionable souvenirs. i overheard a guy at a coffee shop (more on the coffee situation later) saying that wynwood used to be cool, but now it’s just “instagram bait.” harsh, but…not entirely wrong.
“Don’t trust anyone who offers you a ‘deal’ on a jet ski. Just…don’t.”
speaking of coffee, the coffee scene here is…something. i’m a bit of a snob, okay? i need my caffeine fix. i found this tiny little place called “Cafecito” in little havana (highly recommend, check it out on Yelp). it’s strong, it’s sweet, and it’s served in thimble-sized cups. perfect. i also heard a rumor that there’s a secret speakeasy coffee shop somewhere in brickell, but i haven’t been able to track it down yet.
the people here are…loud. in a good way, mostly. everyone seems to have a story, and they’re not afraid to tell it. i’ve met more characters in the last three days than i have in the last three months. and the neighbors? well, if you get bored, fort lauderdale and west palm beach are just a short drive away. i’m thinking of taking a day trip to the everglades* next. apparently, you can take airboat tours and see alligators. which, honestly, sounds terrifying and amazing.
i’m still trying to figure out the best way to navigate the city. public transportation is…an adventure. i’ve mostly been relying on ride-sharing apps, but even those can be chaotic. i saw a guy trying to hail a ride while riding a scooter yesterday. it was a whole thing. you can find more info on getting around on the Miami-Dade Transit website.
i heard that the best time to visit miami is during the winter months, when the weather is a little less…oppressive. but honestly? i’m kind of digging the chaos. it’s forcing me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace the weirdness. plus, the light is incredible. even if it’s melting my brain. i’m off to find more murals and questionable coffee. wish me luck. and send water.
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