Sunny Spree: Miami in a Flash BABY!
- Leon A. Matos
- Nov 23, 2023
- 6 min read
So, I just spent 26 hours in Miami. Since I’m staying with my grandparents in Fort Lauderdale, relatively close to Miami, coupled with the fact that public transport in the US is good, I decided, why not spend a Tuesday and Wednesday in Miami? To make matters more appealing, my dear friend Pauline Perrotin was also in Miami (she also has a blog, and I suggest you greatly check it out!). On top of that, our friend from high school, Zulaykha, was landing in Miami that same Tuesday of my arrival. Having a rare moment of coincidence and God telling me to go to Miami, I decided to do just that.
Although the way to Miami Beach lasted 2 hours 45 minutes—bus, train, bus— it was worth every second. I met Pauline on the famous Miami Beach where we proceeded to reflect on our lives at this stage. Two teenage friends from high school that met across the world on Miami Beach (we met in UWC Thailand). Like, what? Following our moment of disbelief, we had a swim in the ocean. Cold enough to contrast the temperature on shore but not cold enough for me to say, “Ooh, it’s cold” (you scared me Boston beaches); it was perfect.
Since I was carrying my laptop at the beach and I was extremely eager to write about my Miami adventure, we decided to head back to the hostel, which was a convenient 5-minute walk from the beach and a mouth-watering $32 a night with tax included (incredible, I know).
Before continuing, I have to give credit to hostels. I anticipated hostels to be a place where smelly travelers (Pauline, jk Pauline you smell great!) met smellier travelers (me); relatively unhygienic bathroom conditions and awkward sleeping arrangements. Let me tell you, I was blown out of the park by the actual experience. Awesome travelers from every corner of this planet, clean bed sheets every single day, extremely professional and charismatic staff, an experience similar to 4-star hotels, just sharing a room with strangers. Anyhow, for $32 a night on Miami Beach, I stand in zero positions to complain.
I checked in, met a few of my roomies for the night, and ventured off to our next stop, food. Pauline and I proceeded to walk around the hostel area, and once we had refueled our bodies with Italian, we walked South.
As we traversed the vibrant street that Ocean Drive famously holds its status for, conveniently, the two volleyball captains happened to walk by a sea of informal beach volleyball matches. Knowing me, you know I was like, "Pauline, let's ask if we can join this group," and after asking, sure enough, we were playing 3v3. I was paired up with two brothers from Indiana that wanted a weekend away in Miami, and Pauline was paired up with 2 cousins from DC that were celebrating Thanksgiving with their family, also in Florida. After a close 10-point deuce, my team ended up winnin by 2, with a score of 12 to 10, respectively. Whoop!
Taking in the movie-esque environment, we felt like true movie stars on the next "Bad Boys" film as we walked through Ocean Drive street, except this time it starred a burnt lobster (Pauline) and a lost Venezuelan (me). Clubs, restaurants, bars, beach volleyball, outdoor beach gyms, beautiful 70s and 80s Miami housing, all less than 50 meters from each other.
I recall saying, “Bangla is the bootleg version of this,” because I honestly felt like I had reached the pinnacle of nightlife attractions. Unfortunately, we were not able to participate in the vivid nightlife that Miami is known for because, well, in the U.S. you have to be 21 years old to just legally begin to consider sipping a harmless 4.2 ABV Bud light but just 18 to buy a rifle. Welcome to the United States of America, am I right, like what!?
Instead, rather than partying like there is no tomorrow, Pauline and I were gracefully invited to the resort Zuzu was staying in to have a UWC Thailand reunion by the pool. We talked, gossiped, laughed, swam, and got annoyed at the kids next to us for being obnoxiously loud– it felt like they were trying to wake up the whole resort– and splashing water everywhere even though it was way past their bedtime, you know, the typical late-night pool resort experience. After air-drying with the cold beach breeze, we did what any teenager in Miami would do, walk on the beach at night where we took the silliest pictures.
The next day, after breakfast and having to patiently wait 1 long-felt hour for Zuzu to finish breakfast with her family, we were sick of waiting, so Pauline and I decided to head back to the scorching yet peaceful Miami Beach, where dating apps meet real life. Anywho, we dived right into the deep roots and traditions that every tourist rightfully does in Miami, take pictures. As it turns out, we got so caught up in taking pictures that Zuzu had finally shown up, and what did we do when she showed up, you guessed it, more pictures!
To end my final few hours and post taking enough pictures to fill an old-school picture album, we went swimming, walked South to Ocean Drive, yet again, and ate before deciding to spend the last hour at the very bottom of Miami Beach, by the South Pointe Park Pier.
I took my final few breaths of the nostalgic fresh beach air before departing back to my original destination, Fort Lauderdale, and concluded Miami did indeed live up to its name.
On a quick side note, here is how dedicated I was to my budget for my trip to Miami. From the hostel, I took a bus to a train station on the mainland, to then take the skyline to Miami airport where I took a train to Fort Lauderdale before finally hopping on the bus to my grandparent's place. Although it sounds like a lot, I am still in shock, I paid $1 dollar on my way back from Miami. That's right, $1 dollar for a tedious 3-hour trip. If you ask me, for a weekend in Miami, $6 for the way there and $1 for the way back, it was very much worth it. Also, here is a funny TikTok we filmed on the beach!
On the train ride, I had a moment of reflection and motivation to write this, where I came to the conclusion that I was meant to live in Miami. Luxury, food, gyms, recreational and competitive volleyball, scorching sun, breezy winds, all on the beach. I see myself driving an electric scooter around Miami Beach after my “post-workout dip.” I see myself laughing on the volleyball court with strangers from all around the world, and then having a sunset beer with them on a rooftop Latin American bar with reggaeton in the background. What led me to conclude such an unoriginal decision? Well, you just read why and if you aren't convinced then oh well, read it again!
The weekend away was, in retrospect to Miami hotel prices, an inexpensive weekend in paradise. Miami resembled a home away from home: white sandy beaches, blaring sun rays, happy ambiance, the coolest friends, and refreshing tropical breeze, all I could ever ask for. And as the train carried me back to Fort Lauderdale, I couldn't help but think that this 26-hour escapade was just a teaser of the Miami life I envision. The memories etched in those hours are my stepping stones to a future that echoes with joy on a distant torpical island.
So, here I am, leaving Miami physically but carrying its spirit within me. As the cityscape fades from view, I'm left with a burning desire to return, not just as a visitor but as a resident (at least until I get sick of it). Miami, you've cast your spell, and I've fallen under it, eager to script my story amidst your pulsating energy. On the train to Montreal, someone told me I'd fall in love somewhere along this trip of mine, but I never thought it would be with a city... which to be honest, I take it as a victory because cities don't get mad if I go out with my friends.
In the end, Miami, you weren't just a destination; you were a revelation. As the train inches closer to Fort Lauderdale, I carry with me the resounding laughter, the warmth of your beaches, and the promise of a future I'm determined to make my own—Wall Street, here I come!
the lobster had a really great time with you thank you for all the adventures :)
So much fun, damn