Archive for March, 2010

Calle Ocho Festival

Monday, March 15th, 2010

A 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.

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.

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Blogging on the Beach

Monday, March 1st, 2010

So 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!

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