My name is Maggie Hanson, and I have recently moved to South Beach. I’ve been living in the South my entire life, and just wanted to get out of the grind that daily work has me in, and go somewhere warm where I can just live it up a little bit. I chose South Beach because I figured it would be a nice setting that offers a good amount of service jobs I can settle into to earn some cash. While I’m not a huge party girl, I do expect to go out and check out these South Beach clubs everyone talks about. Anyways, this is my personal South Beach Diary that I’m using to keep track of all the people I meet, bars and restaurants I try, and basically just give me something to look back on as I get older. I hope my time in South Beach proves to be a positive one!
South Beach – What’s the Big Deal?
January 1st, 2010 by MaggieCalle Ocho Festival
March 15th, 2010 by MaggieA painful experience! Seriously, I went to the Calle Ocho Festival looking to relax and get some good sun, but all I got was pain in my back. The amount of people in that little, confined zone of Little Havana, Miami, had me walking all around kingdom come to get beers, food, and to see all of the different exhibits and vendors that lined up this little part of Miami where the Cubans dwell.
As I returned home I craved a pain relief pill, like no other time before. It wasn’t even funny how bad my feet hurt! Oh well, lesson learned. I won’t be going to that event next year, that is for certain. Besides, I was not really able to do too much there, being that I lack the Spanish language for starters, and number two, I just thought it was too hot out there to really spend a whole day in the sun with gobs of people around, pushing and jockeying for position to get food, beverages, and basically see the events that transpired.
I went home and relaxed, counted my blessings that I got out of that mosh pit alive, and laid down on the couch. I really did not know there would be over one million people there, as it was reported by the Miami Herald. Weird, I never thought that many people would band together, in a country they now call home, to celebrate Cuban heritage. I guess they all look forward to this day each year. I also overheard that in the year of 1988, there was a world record set, according to the popular publication, Guiness, and there were over one hundred thousand people in a “conga line.” I honestly am not even sure what on earth a conga line is, but I would have to assume it’s some sort of dance thing, because of the song by Gloria Estefan called “conga.” At any rate, that sure is a lot of people doing anything. I think at any given time there are probably 100,000 people doing things that are similar, but a conga is something I don’t know much about, and that record is just flat out impressive to me, even not having a grip on exactly what the heck it is.
South Beach is still sort of a home away from home for me, but I am struggling right now. Between jobs, I just blog and do whatever I can to pass the time as to the best of my ability. I think there are many ways to make money here, but not knowings espanol is sort of hurting me. Oh well, I think I will be okay at whatever I settle into, and I think that being able to get a job here that I can hold down for any amount of time will allow me to buy time until I find an actual career that I like and enjoy. Miami is certainly a fun place, and I’m excited to be here, but I know that it’s not a long term home for me.
Blogging on the Beach
March 1st, 2010 by MaggieSo as I sit here on beautiful Ocean Drive in Miami’s South Beach, I can’t really think of a better place I have been in the United States. I mean, there are several great cities out there, but nothing really has jumped out at me like the way Miami has. For starters, there are just so many cultures here. You have a big influence here from Cuba, and I recently had the chance to visit Calle Ocho, which I thought was a pretty cool little district. Then, you have other cultures like Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. There are literally people from every country in Latin America here, and my Spanish has been getting quite good by default.
I am literally sitting on top of the beach, right at the Starbucks on Ocean Drive. If I look down Ocean drive, there are people from all different parts of the world taking in all Miami has to offer. I still have yet to try every restaurant, there are so many that it’s not even funny how much money it will cost me to try them all. I like Ocean Drive, people say it’s a tourist spot, which it is, but even as a local I enjoy it quite a bit and spend a lot of time at Wet Willies, the Clevelander, and all of the other spots that are around. It’s pretty fun taking in the sun and having a few adult beverages. To me, that never really gets old.
I don’t think there is a spot like Miami – in addition to all the Latin cultures that dominate the beach and surrounding areas, there are New Yorkers, who seem to be pretty much in love with the area. Although many of the NewYorkers choose to reside in places like Boca Raton, they seem to get to the beach quite a bit as well. New Yorkers have a certain attitude that takes getting used to, and in my opinion many of them talk a big game and dont’ really act in truthful ways, but hey, 8 million people can’t be wrong.
I don’t know what else to blog about really, it’s just a beautiful day and I’m really happy to be here. I think that in due time I’ll try to really build a long-term life here. I like how the real estate has fallen in price, and how there are really some good deals out there. I will certainly buy property if I get all my ducks in a row financially. Sometimes it’s good renting though, as I’m not quite sure how long I will remain here, I seem to change my mind a lot and miss home. Maybe I just need someone to sweep me off my feet and really make me crazy about them. Maybe some latin man with long hair that looks like Fabio will be that guy. Hmmm.. Maybe I should post a photo of me or something and really see what happens!
South Beach Diet Seems like Mojitos to Me
January 26th, 2010 by MaggieFor all of the press that the South Beach diet garnered years back, I have yet to see any reference to it in South Beach. No ads, no press, no discussion of it. I guess just the name was borrowed for that diet that so many people seemed to enjoy.
I think the true South Beach diet consists of Cuban toast and Mojitos. Everywhere I look it seems I see people sipping mojitos and eating Cuban toast in the morning is something I’ve become quite accustomed to enjoying. Thank God I go for long walks and do some exercise because this toast is basically a pressed piece of bread with TONS of butter on it. It’s super nummy, and I enjoy it with my Cuban Coffee at David’s Cafe on Lincoln.
Meanwhile, I’ve been doing good at losing weight with diet pills and I’m pretty happy with my figure.
South Beach Trends
January 23rd, 2010 by MaggieI’ve seen a lot of trendy things down here in good ole South Beach. For starters, the bikini’s the women wear here really are one of a kind. I have seen some pretty skimpy outfits that I wouldn’t think of wearing – but hey, some of these Latin American women really do have great bodies and they can pull it off with all their curves. I’m still adapting to this whole scene, but I can see how this city is starting to rally around the Super Bowl that’s coming in a few short weeks – businesses are really getting ready for this event like I’ve never seen before. Ocean Drive should be slammed!
Another trend I’ve seen around is that of the Electronic Cigarette. These are pretty new innovations that people are smoking instead of traditional cigarettes.
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
January 19th, 2010 by MaggieI’m so stoked! I’m a big wino and I can’t wait for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. From what I am told this is the best annual event that takes place on Miami’s South Beach. The Festival is a showcase of many fine wines and the people behind them. Wine is one of my favorite foods and passtimes, so I’m really looking forward to getting there, after all this time. Although I will say that I am a little scared at the price of admission!
This year, I have heard that the likes of Emeril and even Rachel Ray will be there. If I can pick up a few pointers, maybe I can impress someone!
I’m hoping this isn’t a let down – I am not going for the celebrities but more for the opportunity to try various wines of the world. If anyone reads my blog please let me know what to expect by posting a comment!
Super Bowl Coming to Miami
January 11th, 2010 by MaggieI am really hoping to score a ticket to the Super Bowl. It’s being played in the Miami Dolphins Official Stadium, LandShark Stadium. It’s a great place to watch a game from what I hear. Hopefully someone will invite me, but since I barely know anyone in Miami at this point, I doubt it.
Oh well, I’ll cheer for my favorite New Orleans Saints to get there, and at that point maybe I will do my best to scrape up more money so I can buy a ticket.
On another note, it’s quite cold here. It’s a BAD time to be in Miami!
It’s Soooooo Cold Here in Miami!
January 6th, 2010 by MaggieThis is not what I expected when I moved to South Beach! I mean this is insane, I moved down here for the tanning opportunities, the parties, the night life, but NOT the cold.
Last night, I was watching the Orange Bowl, where Iowa defeated Georgia Tech in a pretty decent game. It was announced that it was only 44 degrees! Can you believe that? This is Miami we are talking about people!!!!
On the bright side, I’ve started to see some of my pain subside in my back. My constant cardio workouts hIave increased and I’m running all the way to North Beach now, which is a killer accomplishment. I guess I can credit my new ipod for that extra little motivation! Taylor Dane sure does motivate me!
I did finally meet someone who asked me out. His name was Jerry, and although he was a very nice guy, I had to decline because when he was getting his mail (thats where I met him) he had a mailing offer to order Cialis! He probably didn’t want me to see that he suffers from ED or needs some extra help with that, but hey, I was there, and saw it with my own two eyes. It’s not a big deal to me, but I am young and prefer to date someone younger. I guess we’ll see what shakes out in the next month.
Off to work, will be back later to update my South Beach diary!
It’s Cold in Miami?
January 3rd, 2010 by MaggieSo far, it’s been a chilly stay in Miami. It’s in the 50’s if you want to get technical, but this is not what I expected. I mean, I thought Miami and South Beach were full of hot days and warm weather. I expect to see people out there tanning, wearing bikini’s and the such. Lathering up their bodies with sun tan lotion, stuff like that. However, it’s been a lot of seeing people with hats and gloves on, freezing their butts off and just basically being annoyed at the climate.
I did get to take a roller blade trip down Lincoln Road. Cool place, there are some nice little cafe’s down there that seem to cater to the affluent crowd. Definitely need to find myself a guy with a few bucks and start hitting those places.
I also picked up an application for a job as a server at a local diner. Should be a good start on life, I figure. Let’s see if they call me once I turn it in. That’s all for now!
Jogging on South Beach
January 2nd, 2010 by MaggieToday I decided to wake up early and go for a run down South Beach. Let me tell you, this town does not wake up early! I was up at 6:00, expecting to see a mad rush of people jogging down the beach, but there were only a handful of people with the same idea today. I guess New Years took a lot out of the people in Miami!
Anyways, I started my run by Nikki Beach, which is located on the southern tip of South Beach, basically on 1st street and Ocean Drive. I ran all the way to the Fountainbleu Hotel, which is located on 41st street. Yes, it’s only 41 city blocks, but it has to be miles because of the way the beaches boardwalk that I hopped on around 5th street curves and bends around all of the commerce.
There were some local South Beach Bums, (homeless people, we call them bums in Alabama) but they didn’t bother me really this early in the morning. They are pretty at peace actually in South Beach – I mean I imagine a lot of tourists give them money or food, and the climate is great. I’d certainly pick South Beach for a “home” if I didn’t have one, so to speak. The north can’t be fun without shelter. Anyways, that’s sort of depressing. My run was good, and I hope to increase the distance of my runs as I continue to get to know South Beach a little bit better.
Well, I just showered up and am ready for some breakfast. I think I’ll try this David’s Cafe everyone has been talking about. Cuban breakfast just sounds good right now.