Oh Miami, you sexy minx, I love you so. 2024 marks the 11th anniversary of 305 DAY and I intend on celebrating. The mission of this day is to “foster unity, promote civic engagement, and honor the cultural tapestry that defines the 305”. Miami is a city that follows the beat of its own drum, a rhythm thread together by the cultural melting pot of our unique home. Love her or hate her, she’s a bold and independent force, and shines brightly in the world as a destination for warmth, hospitality, and creativity. I’m a Miami native, born in Mercy Hospital and raised on the edge of Horse Country. Aside from a brief college hiatus I’ve never lived anywhere else and am proud to call this place home.
This city chases away as many people longing for change as it welcomes newcomers searching for the same dream. She is a refuge for the oppressed, whether it be international immigrants or fellow patriots, and embraces them with her magical sunsets and warm breezes. I’ve traveled all over our beautiful country but no other place hits quite like home. I’m not saying we are the most beautiful city in the United States, nor am I claiming we’re the best. But there’s so many qualities that rank us at the top (at least from my perspective) and I’d like to highlight some of Miami’s best features in hopes of encouraging you to love your home as much as I do.
The food! If you know me, you know I always begin with the food. For starters, nowhere else in the country can you pop into “una ventanita” for a quick Cuban pastry and Cafecito! Starbucks cannot compare to the experience of popping up at one of these unique coffee “windows” and ordering a true cortadito made with bitter espresso, evaporated milk, and copious amounts of sugar. It’s a gift from the gods and when you couple it with a fresh pastelito or a warm croqueta it somehow provides an existential escape from the stress of your day. The women who run these cafes are the perfect blend of grouchy and sassy and thrive on knowing they’re serving up a little moment of zen in your day. Have I mentioned the Cuban Bread? Did you know that it’s nearly impossible to get real Cuban Bread anywhere else in the country?! It’s true! While Cuban Bread is readily available throughout parts of Florida it’s nearly impossible to source anywhere else. It’s a well-kept secret to produce and even if you try to make it at home it always falls flat (just ask my out-of-state friends). If you live here, be sure to pay tribute to this magical carb on a monthly basis!
In addition to our famous Cuban cuisine, did you know that Honey Garlic Chicken is a Miami only cuisine? I can only presume that the Chinese immigrant population in Cuba brought this magical blend to us and it’s truly a travesty that the rest of the country’s sauce options end with General Tso’s. Thanks to our incredible multicultural population we also have Ceviche at the ready in every zip code, Fritanga joints in most neighborhoods, Latin-Asian fusions, Southern cuisine, fresh Italian fare, Argentinian steakhouses, Mofongo and OMG the Haitian food! People just don’t know! I could also write an entire essay on the magic of the Publix Sub and the sticky buns from Knaus Berry Farm but I think you know what I’m talking about. We love to eat in this city and our food is a love language that hypnotizes visitors and keeps them coming back for more.
Now, let’s talk about our beaches. I’m sorry, I know that we are a bicoastal nation, but the fine sand and warm, clear water truly set us apart. We are a city where all our children learn to swim by the age of 3 and spend their weekends building sandcastles in the warm shade of their umbrellas. Are you up for some boating? You’ve come to THE place! Almost every friend circle has a buddy with a boat and they are always the most popular in the gang. Days spent drifting through the Atlantic, disconnecting from daily life, are absolutely priceless. You’ll see pods of dolphins swimming playfully along your boat and beautiful manatees floating along. The boating culture here is spectacular and our water is warmer than anywhere else in the country, even in winter!
Speaking of winter, what’s winter? Our winter is everyone else’s best day in the summer! Our city is a rare place where we can enjoy outdoor sports year-round and we aren’t afraid to get a little sweaty. Do we look a little ridiculous wearing turtlenecks when it’s 60 degrees out? Only if you aren’t here in person to understand that our glorious humidity adds a bone chilling edge to the slightest of breezes. Do we have freakish amounts of humidity in the summer (and honestly, most of the year)? Sure. Does that humidity also provide a layer of hydration that puts our aging process on hold? Yes, it does. With our insatiable love of swimming pools in this city it’s never hard to cool off and with the technology in hair care these days we’re able to keep our hair under control most days. If not, there’s always braids…or buzz cuts.
The fashion in Miami is on a whole other level. Where else can you dress like you’re on vacation at the school pick-up line? Boots last us a decade due to minimal use, but we are constantly replacing those flip flops and wedges! Light and flowy fabrics, sleeveless tops and comfy slip-ons are a must in this city. I pity the people in Urban locations where they walk all day and can’t enjoy the freedom of a sandal on a summer’s day. It also guarantees we take better care of our often-exposed feet in one of our plentiful and affordable salons.
Let’s take a moment to pay tribute to the incredibly affordable beauty industry we have in Miami. Did you know that it’s cheaper to get a mani-pedi here than in most cities in the country? Supply and demand baby! Botox, laser hair removal, lymphatic massage and other magical skincare options are plentiful and won’t break the bank! Also, if you’re going to a salon where you aren’t referred to as “mi reina” (my queen) or “mi cielo” (my darling) then you’re going to the wrong salon. There should also be a tray of Cafecito shots distributed hourly as well. These are the rules and they need to be followed. Caso Cerrado.
We’re also a Mecca for festivals! Art Basel, South Beach Food & Wine Festival, Miami Music Week, Miami International Boat Show, South Beach Jazz Festival, Miami Fashion Week, Miami Film Festival, Calle Ocho, Winter Party, Miami Beach Pride, Brew Miami, South Beach Jazz Festival and The International Mango Festival! Seriously, we have a whole festival dedicated to mangos because that’s how plentiful they are here in the summer! We’ll celebrate just about anything down here and the people watching alone make all these events worthwhile.
I’m swooning right now as I write this because I love this crazy city so much. Do we have crazy drivers who barely understand traffic signals? Sure. Do we have traffic and construction on the highway that would make you want to throat punch someone just to move along a little quicker? What city doesn’t? But somehow, we continue to welcome multi-continental Americans into our fold every year and we always welcome them with a little hospitality in the form of a Cafecito and a box of our signature pastries. Miami, you are a queen!
Riveting Rosy
@rivetingrosy305
