Let me preface this by saying that I didn’t expect much from Miami. My trip was prompted by a friend who recently moved, and given that I lack the ability to say no to a trip with guaranteed sun exposure, I booked the flight.
I don’t think I realised what going to Miami meant until I was in the Uber from the airport to my friend’s place. The radio of choice was 93.5: Miami’s dance hits blasting Tiesto-like EDM on repeat. I don’t want to yuck on anyone’s yum, but this kind of music isn’t really for me. I’m a little more bossa nova. Since moving away, I had forgotten so many things about the world of energetically charged beat drops: like how fist bumping is still a legitimate dance move, and Budlight is still a legitimate beer (yuck!).
Was this the prelude to my Miami experience? Was DJ Khalid waiting around the corner with a jet ski and a tray of apple-flavoured Ciroc?
Shivers went down my spine.
Fast forward two days, and next thing I know, jet skis began to sound exciting. Miami was flirting with me, and she knew all the right moves.
Turns out, there are many ways to Miami - just like every stereotype, there is much more to Miami than what meets the eye. The PR for the sunshine state leans on the outliers, but once you get your boots on the ground, the experience is really quite serene.
First of all, we must talk about the weather. I’m a vitamin D deprived European, meaning that I’ve spent the last six months in cloud cover, so I was practically frothing at the mouth to spend a day in a bikini.
Every moment during my time in Miami was the perfect temperature. Mornings are warm, afternoons are really warm, and evenings are just purely pleasant. Visiting Miami in April is something I’ll forever keep in mind. I would recommend it to anyone (especially to my fellow Germans, April macht was er will, aber in Miami ist das Wetter immer wunderbar).
Berlin winters are tough. My vitamin d depositories have been critically low since February, meaning a top up has been long overdue.
All it took was two days lounging like a lizard at The Standard Spa. Two days we spent alternating from ocean, pool, hot tub, cold plunge, rinse, lay, repeat. By the seventh or eighth round, I started to feel myself come back to life.
There is also something so incredibly healing about being surrounded by water. Berlin has a river, but nothing compares to the way light dances on an ocean current. I’ve got to give it to my friend J, she has a pretty optimal set up: wake up to the bay, commute along the bay, spend the day by the bay, go to sleep looking at the bay.
Miami’s ecosystem has a similar scent to that of Bali: all of the elements feel incredibly feminine - despite what you may see in a DJ Khalid music video.
It’s even reflected in the people: the women here are just jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and everyone knows it - especially the men. They know their role is to be an accessory to the main event.
Miami is also a place where coolness has a very different flavour compared to Berlin. A cool Berliner (stereotypically speaking) may not be so cool in Miami. Why? It’s simple. Athleisure is a dirty word in one place, and a lifestyle in the other. I’ll let you guess which is which.
Now I’m not here to make a judgement on lycra-clad matching sets, but what I will say, is that being in Miami feels very refreshing. Instead of needing a minimum of three outfit changes before leaving the house, Miami is easy - you can bust out the designer labels, but you also don’t need to. The coolness rankings here use different metrics - making it easier for me to tap out of the race (perhaps a lesson to bring back with me).
Another thing about Miami that woo’d me was the food. In a similar vein as the coolness factor, the food options here are kept very simple. Miami being the birth place of healthy fast food, I got to scratch every kale caesar salad itch that’s been forced into hibernation since leaving California three years ago. The kale caesar salad: the pinnacle of contemporary American cuisine, gosh I love it. It’s rare to find one on a menu abroad, so just like Mexican food, one must pack it in when they can.
Miami: the weather is great, the food is delicious (bodega tacos !?) , the people are friendly, it’s even walkable (and bikeable)… what’s not to like?
I mean the City Bike app could use some help, but other than that, I don’t have many more complaints. Sure the bottle service crowd does exist, but that’s kind of the case in every major city. I did make the mistake though of going to the design district to buy underwear, but that turned into something to laugh about.
There is still so much more to Miami that I wish to explore. Mainly, the Venezuelan pastries and of course, cubanos (I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t get around to trying one). This trip only confirms the fact that short trips should be limited to cold climates, and warm trips demand a two week minimum stay.
This experience was also another poignant reminder to never judge a book by it’s cover - a valuable lesson. And even better to learn when by the beach.
Don’t worry, mama Miami, I’ll be back. That jet ski itch still needs to be scratched.
Miami Hit List:
Bodega: taco dreams come true
the order: coconut shrimp tacos (thank you M), fish tacos, yuca fries, guac
pro tip: everything tastes better with the house hot sauce
La Sandwicherie: best sandwich to bring on a boat
the order: turkey, tuna salad, follow your bliss here (you can’t go wrong), just make sure to order at least one veggie / hummus sandwich. It’s insane
True Loaf: if you’re european and missing brot
Pure Vida: a Miami classic. The food is okay but if you’re a wellness girlie you’ll find something to love
Lucali’s: best kale caesar salad I’ve ever had. Bonus points for the croutons
the order: baked artichoke hearts, kale caesar, plain pie (it’s giving margarita), extra sauce on the side (you’ll thank me later)
the best place to people watch in Miami. I’ve already made up my mind I want to come back just to drink water out of a seashell at the spa
poolside lunch: poke bowl with mahi mahi, side of plantain chips & guac
What I still want to try:
Pastelitos from Caracas
Cubano from Sanguich
Breakfast at Las Olas Cafe
Guava bagel from El Bagel
Till next time
xo
P
Glad you enjoyed a great dose of D and good food as a bonus!