December 2021

Miami: beaches, food, and indulgence comes to mind. The city of Miami has warm weather in the winter, and lots of things to see!

I chose to Uber around Miami since I was not familiar with the city and I already planned where I wanted to go see for the day.

First stop: Miami Beach! The strip just by the water was blocked off so pedestrians could walk freely and enjoy the sights. Art Deco is the style here, and the pastel buildings in the daytime are great for practicing photography. Lizards roam the streets and parrots squawk in the trees above you.

The beach itself is just as beautiful, with inquisitive seagulls and sports drink colored water. Blue umbrellas from the resorts dotted the shoreline. Colorful, cubical lifeguard stations were the best to photograph. The only thing that was distracting on the beach was electronic billboards that float in the actual ocean, and the occasional plane flying above.

The famed Muscle Beach was fun to see, and very healthy food stands were nearby for the people to refuel.

Down to the end and back and then Uber to the Wynwood Art area, where I paid $7 to enter the Wynwood Walls art exhibits; there were studios to wander through, lots of greenspace, and tons of artwork on walls, in all kinds of styles. Nearby are vintage shops and quick grab type of foods, from pizza slices to tacos to ice cream. This neighborhood is great if you love art like I do!

Then back in the Uber where my very knowledgeable driver weaved in and out of traffic to the famous Little Havana and Calle Ocho. I always imagined this place a certain way and it came pretty close, with Latin salsa music in the air as you entered businesses and restaurants, and I made sure to grab a block of Pilon coffee to bring back home. I also hung out at Domino Park, and saw people of all ages playing cards, dominoes, and laughing. I was happy to understand what they were speaking, and even more happy to notice that there were Central Americans here as well.

I ate a Cuban sandwich at El Cristo Restaurant, which is right on the street and the sandwich was fresh, stacked, and delicious. To walk it off, I went further down the street and made my way to Ball and Chain, a saloon that has been open since 1935, it was sold, then bought back in 1967, and has been here ever since. I enjoyed the stellar live band that had the people dancing and singing, and the dark ambiance with flickers of neon greens and yellows completed the mood inside.

After a small non-alcoholic drink, Uber once again took me to the shoreline of Miami that is before you hit the actual Miami Beach little island. There was upscale shopping, a great Ferris wheel, and lots of yachts and splendor to see of the wealthy.

Next stop: Key West!