In the past year and a half I have made complete orbit of the globe, spending 1-3 months per country. I've experienced six different countries in three different continents and a few U.S. States and major cities for the first time as well. What I've learned from traveling is that many places are similar to others, but absolutely none are the same. That fact holds true to my latest visit to Miami.

Recently I made a long weekend trip to Miami to reunite with a group of friends who had just returned to the States after almost a year overseas on a long term mission trip called the World Race. While our stay in Miami was a short and restful one, we learned a few things about what makes Miami special from a local's standpoint as well as a few free things to see.

1. Green Street Cafe

On our first day in Miami we decided to go out for brunch and Green Street Cafe was the place recommended to us from our native friends. I think the decor of the place was what attracted me the most, from it's dark contrasting photos to the old books on the wall, but also the number of customers. I'm pretty sure we had an at least 45 minute wait, but it was worth it.

2. Wynwood Walls

I would be so bold as to say that most tourists to Miami seek out these infamous walls in the Wynwood Art District. My local friend told me that artists were brought from around the world to paint them; how cool is that?! Each painting is so different, colorful, and larger than life.

3. Panther Coffee

I knew as soon as I walked up to Panther Coffee that this place was going to be very hipster and smell pretty good--and that was exactly what it was. The line was out the door! What impressed me most on what felt like the hottest day of the year was the fact that they had a tray of glasses and a large metal water tap from which you could get a drink of water. I never felt so thankful especially after walking around in the heat looking at the Wynwood Walls.

4. Ocean Drive

On our final day together we took a drive down Ocean Drive, a popular buzzing street along the coast-side. This is a good thing to do when you want to see Miami, but from the A/C of your car. So many beautiful retro or fairly new restaurants lined one side of the street as the boardwalk guided to the beach on the other.

Even though I'm a native of Florida, a very mixed and diverse state, I have never seen a a more beautifully weaved community of different people than there was in Miami. I loved being able to step into Miami and what is is instead of what I thought it was. It was a beautiful place.