Miami

Location: Miami, Florida

Ah, Miami! This city is half exactly what you think and half a surprise of rich culture. Good reason for it to be called the Magic City. Katie is Cuban and originally from Miami and of course, gave me the local’s tour. We first hit up Miami Beach and walked the bustling streets of Lincoln Road to have a lunch at a local restaurant. We moved on to Wynwood surrounded by street art and crisp local beers. Then we finished it off in Calle Ocho where I had my first “ventana” experience ordering the best Cuban food has to offer through a small window.

A few days were spent getting to some of Katie’s favorite spots and a couple of days were dedicated to a wedding that was held at the Villa Woodbine. I surprisingly came to found out that the very house we were partying in was also the site of where the failed Bay of Pigs invasion was planned out.

Admittedly, I wasn’t all too sure what to expect visiting a city that at times gets pegged as “Party Town, USA.” Now, I couldn’t be more thrilled that I have a connection to this place through Katie. The city and its people are ALIVE! And I can’t wait till we make it back.