While the focus of my trip centered mostly on body surfing and cocktails, I did make a couple of brief trips to South Beach. Most everything that can be said about this part of town has been said by others--and well too--so I won't be adding anything profound here. The usual restoration projects were underway--transformations of some of the lesser Deco buildings into pricey apartments to house the hip and local. There was no shortage either of young women in towering heels and teeny tiny dresses, lined up and waiting every night for entry into the dance club du jour.
Since I had a late flight out that last day, I decided to stash my suitcase at the airport then take the shuttle back to South Beach and burn up a few hours just walking around with camera in hand. The heat that day was almost unbearable, so really, I spent most of my time eating gelato and people watching. I did get a few shots in, but really, and again, the gelato held much more interest for me.
Way too many calories later, I headed for the shuttle back to the airport, and the driver asked me to wait just a few minutes before boarding. He locked up the bus and ran across the street. I waited and was joined by a second passenger--a Cuban gentleman who was headed to the other end of town. The bus driver returned with a large cup and then started filling up a couple of small paper cups and offered them to us. It was Cuban coffee--probably Bustelo--a brand made in Miami with a long history. I could tell he wasn't quite sure about me. He held the little cup out tentatively. But I'm a Miami girl, so I said, "I love the stuff". He still wasn't fully convinced, so I said, " I'm from here. I grew up in Miami, drinking this with all my Cuban friends. You couldn't offer me anything better." With that he burst out laughing and gave me seconds. I couldn't have had a better ending.
Yes, Lincoln Road--I used to go here as a kid with my mom--fabulous shops then! Trendy now but very different.
The colors of Miami
