Already almost one month in Miami Beach! Wow! The first few days, coming from cold Spain, I loved the warm weather. During those few days 25 degrees wasn’t hot, it was just warm and nice. Now it is bloody hot! The humidity is always over 85%, the sun is burning my skin, the mosquitos are doing a number on my skin and the other bugs, well, they bug me. And by now the 25 degrees have gone up to 30 degrees in the shade.
Another thing that bothers me about the City of Miami Beach is that they are always on your arse! When you actually go to the beach, meaning to the water, you have to cross through a stretch of sand worthy of the Sahara. It’s almost a kilometre long! Then when you finally cross through all the chaises longues and the umbrellas…all belonging to the hotels that line the coastline…you reach the soft, cuddly part of the sand where you can lay down, relax and let the soft sounds of the gentle waves as they kiss the shore…
NO! You cannot do that because all of a sudden here comes a huge tractor pulling a sand cleaning machine and the operator has his earplugs on and probably listening to heavy metal at 11! So you better «Run for Your Life if you can…» (as The Beatles said), or he’s going to roll right over you. Did you know that the Miami Beach Police Department has run over two sunbathers on the sand? Yes they did, killing one French tourist. Check it out: https://floridajustice.com/floridas-little-secret-government-vehicles-running-sunbathers/#:~:text=27%2Dyear%2Dold%2C%20Stephanie,often%20used%20by%20police%20vehicles.
Anyways, I leave you with a picture of one of our…their…local critters, the iguanas. Lamentably the City of Miami Beach destroyed their habitats back in 2016 when they cut down dozens of trees along Indian Creek Drive. The poor iguanas were decimated but some still survived and this morning I saw one eating a banana, like a monkey!
Until the next chapter, I hope you guys have a lovely day, after all it is Thursday, the «middle of the week», a night to begin your weekend festivities so go hit that bar across the street and order your first gin tonic!
Cheers…
JaZzArt en València 
Pues no, no te envidio el calorazo (que me den frío, que lo aguanto mejor) ni los ataques mosquiteriles… Y tener que estar pendiente de la máquina esa… uf… Ah, pero la iguana es encantadora, con esa conmovedora fealdad que hasta resulta atractiva.
Ya se sabe que los destinos tienen partes positivas y otras fastidiosas.
A disfrutar de lo bueno.
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Es verdad, su fealdad sí que resulta atractiva. Gracias y un saludo!
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That’s horrible! I think I’ll take Miami Beach off my «bucket list.» (Actually, it never was on it.) Something that is on my bucket list is a third trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. My fear, though, is that it has probably been completely ruined by condominiums since my last visit about 20 years ago. I might be better off just remembering it the way it was — when the wild horses were able to roam freely. I’ll keep you posted, in case I get out there again.
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I hope you do go and that the horses still run free! And wisely you did take MB off your bucket list. Well done. All the best Janet.
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Even if Miami Beach isn’t looking as you would like, you’re looking pretty good Francesc
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LOL! Thanks my friend! At least a tan is worth it!
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Be careful of those beach tractors. In Key West, I saw them first thing in the morning before 8 am. Hope you have good AC.
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Here they are out there all day long. Imagine that!
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Sounds unnecessary and dangerous.
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Totally unnecessary and quite dangerous. The beach, since 1993, has become dangerous as there have been eight people run over by lifeguards, police and other service vehicles belonging to the city…
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Somebody got a case of the bellyaches. You knew what you were in for before you arrived – you used to live there.
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I had totally forgotten. I tell you Espie, I lived in Miami Beach for more than 30 years, during my whole career in MDPD, and it was not like it is today. When I left it had already changed…for the worse…but now it has totally become a place for tourists. And you are right, I should not fight and fuss, after all now I am a tourist too, I could care less about the problems of Miami Beach, but I think I should tell it in case someone like you, my friend, is thinking of visiting. All the best!
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Despite the bugs and humidity, I would still love to walk around Miami beach 😊 I hope you are having heaps of fun across the pond, it’s always exciting to go back to a place where you once lived ☺️
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Yes, in spite of those things, I am happy to be here, although I am shocked at the changes, especially how expensive everything is in the US! Thank you Aiva and a lovely weekend to you!
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I think I would stick to the hotel pool. I heard they rarely run over people there! Stay safe, my friend!
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Hehehehe…you’re so right. Things have changed here too much, and not for the better.
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This sounds a bit crazy. Why do they think they must smooth the sand. I love the patterns in the sand. Sad that people have died so that the sand is smooth. I did not know why you see iguanas all around public places. That is a sad story but thanks for sharing. Please be careful Francis. You look great and your inspiration is certainly working. It is always hard to go back and see how much things have changed. Miami is home for many people of great wealth too. That always drives the prices up. I loved the photograph, I hope they are protected. Big hugs 🤗 to the family. Love Joni
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Thank you Joni. I do not mean to protest too much, it is just shocking to see these changes that have not been for the better. Miami Beach is no longer what it was. It is now a place for tourists ONLY! The city does not care about the permanent residents, even though there are supposed to be close to 100.000 of them! But I do not really complain as now I am but one more tourist. The frustrations associated with life in Miami Beach are over for me. Take good care, both of you, have a great weekend!
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I think you are simply shedding light on things that are changing. There are 2,758,636 persons in Miami Dade County as of 2022. Average household income is $92,005 and medium is $62,500. Families living below poverty is 85,417. Reference miamidadematters.org/demographic data?id. You can express your frustrations I understand going back to a placed you loved when you were young and seeing disturbing changes. Blessings to you my friend. 🦋🙏
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Blessings to you too Joni!
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I think I will stay on the West coast, although, it’s probably just as crowded on our beaches. As long as you have a local bar, everything is manageable! Cheers!
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You said it Tiffany! As long as there’s your local bar! Cheers 🥂
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