« Random Miami Observations »

Morning light is magical, and twilight even more so.  White-haired couples roller blade their afternoon away while taxis bully through busses and clueless tourists. Kamikaze delivery boys weave through traffic on bikes and scooters with stacks of pizza precarious balanced on the rear rack.  The strays are cats while little dogs are fluffed and walked and babysat.  Young moms push strollers with one hand and text with the other.  Some have baby seats perched on the handlebars of their bikes.  Most seem to experience the best moments of their kids' lives through 3-inch LCD screens.  How do you tell someone they are missing out on the good stuff?

People can be pushy, and you had better hold your own; in line, in traffic, in every opportunity, as though any good thing would be snatched up and out of your hands if you let it.  I made the mistake of hitting up TJ Maxx on a Monday, turns out that's Senior Citizen Discount Day.  Oi.  I was in line with some of the grumpiest, slowest-moving people in the world (generally I enjoy the occasional confusing exchange with a senior citizen, but these were power shoppers from Bal Harbour, where they don't take crap from any of us rascally juveniles), and then my receipt wouldn't print.  I didn't mind, I'd been in a great mood all day, I had been cheering up old ladies and disgruntled employees left and right.  The hold up lasted for ten minutes but meanwhile I got to observe the lady next to me as she had the 18-ish guy cashier inspect and discuss each item in her cart with her, verifying the discounts, confirming that she would receive her senior citizens' discount as well. A manager had to come over and guess if a shirt would fit her.  Then she asked "Where do I look to see the prices while you're ringing it up?"  It was pretty amusing. 

Miami has a way of inciting my sharpest passions both negatively and positively.  These beautiful, cool sunny days are so rejuvenating, maybe that's the main redeeming quality of this place.  The annoyances are, well, to be zen about it, part of what one must accept if they want to live with the vibrant little joys that come with Miami.  So I learned to stop feeling guilty for not giving the guy on the corner my cash, or for avoiding eye contact with other people when I'm walking alone.  Both once-innocent behaviors will invite more trouble than the alternative is worth, I learned that first-hand within a month.  Yes, that's weird for me and yes, it's sad and maybe a little dangerous compared to my hometown.  This isn't the suburbs or the grove, this is Miami Beach. But you take the good with the bad.  Learn to find the good, the shortcuts, the scenic routes, the finer experiences, the view from the hole-in-the-wall mahi sandwich place that makes you sigh with relaxation as you watch the sun set over the bay, the experience of riding your bike to the ocean, narrowing down the best take-out joints, even just seeing palm trees every day.  Simple things that make up for a lot of happiness.