22nd Mar - Miami Memories



Every day of this week so far has been something of a nostalgic paradise, because no sooner do I wake, I'm met with a flurry of reminders via Timehop, that in simpler times - pre-pandemic - I was in Miami, which still to this day, is by far my favourite holiday destination in the world. Truth be told, I'd felt somewhat underwhelmed by both Las Vegas and New York during my U.S travels. The former was very 'fake', a plastic paradise dumped in a desert, and seasoned with unbearable heat (much like Dubai nowadays), whilst the latter felt incredibly grimy, dreary, and just a bit... Miserable. (The constantly overcast weather was probably a contributing factor in this, but even the most ardent of New Yorker would confess that his fellow Manhattan-ite is infamous for a somewhat grumpy attitude).

Miami, though... Miami has this truly unique vibe, like a slice of rustic Havana, but with an added injection of pumped up Americanism. I've never been to Cuba, but I can only image that the Art Deco building, beautiful pastel colours, and open-top vintage Chevvies and Mustangs, are a homage to the land of Fidel Castro. Here we see much of the same as the Florida coastline inherits the unique culture from their Latin cousins across the water, whilst still managing to avoid the 'roid-head jock-ism of the 'Spring Break' culture a little further up the coastline on Daytona Beach. 




Whether soaking back the sun on the infamous Collins Avenue, scene of so many iconic moments in 'Vice City', or admiring the views of Duke Dumont's very own 'happy place', Ocean Drive, I'm yet to meet a City with so much character. Of course, Miami is the city where the heat is on, all night on the beach, 'till the break of dawn, but despite Will Smith's wicked eulogisations, there's also a huge slice of opportunity for the culture-heads here, via the Wynwood District, where beautiful graffiti artworks fill murals on every street wall, like a Sunny Shoreditch. 

My soul belongs to Cities of history. Of heritage, and culture. The hippy hedonism of the secluded parts of Ibiza, where the sea laps against the rocky verges of the white isle. The waft of garlic and onion from Parisian street bistros, complete with tiny wicker 'rouge' chairs, overlooking the Eiffel Tower. The scent of hearty Irish stew and pub laughter, filled by a soundtrack of live guitar & folk music and clinking glasses of Guinness in the heart of Temple Bar, Dublin. But also, sometimes you can't beat living like a local, popping on your most ridiculously overpriced foam finger, slurping down a coke and giant hotdog, and shouting 'Let's Go Heat!' during a live NBA spectacle. Whatever you're looking for...




... Miami truly has it all. 




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