Now that a few weeks have passed away from the 305, I have to admit that I am starting to miss the city of Miami. Of course, going away to college is great and all, but there is no place like the MIA. I felt compelled to compiling a list of the things I miss from the homeland in no particular order, here is a super relatable list of things you’re definitely missing if you are also away at school getting that itch to go back to sunny Miami soon.
10. The Language.
You literally miss being able to say “super” more than three times in the same sentence. “Dale” is sadly almost becoming a foreign word to you. And you wanna say “like” without like everyone being like, “You always say like,” for real that’s like super annoying bro, like stop. You secretly want to resort to verifying everything you say, no lie, I swear, for real, I’m not even lying, for reals, especially if it’s about all the chisme that has come up wile you've been gone. You’re super down to go back to saying "pero like," "ratchet," "conga," "chancletas," "I can’t/no puedo," "sin pena" and even "eating sh*t." Call Abuelita or watch the classic “Sh*t Miami Girls Say” video if you need a quick dose of Miami-isms.
9. The Clothes.
You miss the clothing, or should I say lack there of? You miss stepping out in tiny tank tops or t-shirts, short shorts, and flip flops without freezing or looking like an idiot. You’re tired of this jeans, jackets, and boots thing all the time. No skin showing is very strange for us. I know my skin needs some sunshine, and the bright colors of Miami clothes are enough to book my next flight into MIA. I just want to put on outfits that consist of bikinis, sandals, hats and sunglasses. Miami is the place for this to be acceptable all year long.
8. The Malls.
There’s Dadeland, Merrick, Sunset, Bal Harbour, Lincoln Road, The Falls, the new Brickell City Center — Miamians are so blessed. I am in dire need of a full day of mall hopping and with so many options, I’m excited just thinking about it. Each of these fantastic shopping centers with their own reasons to visit. A stop at Dadeland for serious retail therapy and people watching, or a walk up and down Lincoln taking in the sights and smells? I’m down. I do love shopping anywhere, but I’m so comfortable with the retail options in Miami. I know I will appreciate the full experiences of these unique establishments when I do return home. You’ve gotta miss the extensive shopping line-up we have going on in Miami.
7. The Hype of ULTRA.
I know there are still almost two months until this crazy music festival, but I can’t shake feeling left out from the posters and advertisements of the event. Whether you’re an ULTRA-naut or not, you have to be feeling a little weird to not be around for all of the buzz around this iconic event. How much are tickets? Who is performing? I just want to hear the heavy house from everywhere in Bayfront for three days straight already.
6. The Grove, Brickell, The Gables, Downtown, Wynwood, Westchester, Etc.
The various neighborhoods of Miami each bring such different elements to MIA. I miss each for different reasons. First there’s the Grove and it’s nightlife. Tarus, GreenStreet, and Oasis, I know it has been a while, but you know I still love you. Brickell has so many tall buildings, each full of wonder and 21+ bars. Then, there’s The City Beautiful and all it has to offer, Coral Gables streets and gorgeous houses are missed dearly. Wynwood and all the Instagram models it has created are also yearned for by those of us that are miles away. Little Havana and that colorful chicken sculpture, you have not been forgotten. Kendall and sitting in traffic is an experience I never thought I could miss, but Y-100 on blast in the car makes even that missable. Being a Miamian can mean residing in so many different ‘hoods and that is yet another reason Miami is so cool and missing it is one hundred percent okay.
5. The Day Jams.
You miss standing and hopefully dancing around in bathing suits, sometimes not even to go in the pool, to sip refreshing punch with all your friends. Yes, pools and daytime fun every weekend are pieces that make Miami such a fun and utterly missed place. You also miss that you could do this the entire year round. Guys might miss deciding which pair of boat shoes will look best with your new Chubbies and girls miss “not wasting” a new bikini if you were definitely not going in the pool because you did your hair this morning. You also miss that these festivities began at about 12 in the afternoon and often ran later than the sun going down around 6 p.m.
4. The Beach.
If day jams weren't enough, you’re also missing packing up the car to go down to Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, or for the long haul to the Keys. The sand in your toes, sweating in the traffic, paying for parking and avoiding being towed, sneaking into hotel pools, and being asked by multiple beach promotes if you were going out tonight, are all irreplaceable pieces of the beaches of Miami. These places are such blessings while you’re only about 30 minutes from each of them.
3. The Weather.
Should I even mention the tan that has disappeared from your since December? Day jams and beach days could not be possible without the generosity of Miami weather giving sunny days all year long. And that complete thunderstorm likely has a life-expectancy of about 20 minutes and then we can get back to the boat, pool, or beach for more sunshiny days. Throw on some tanning oil and let’s get to work.
2. The Coffee.
You miss the cafecitos, cortaditos, cafe con leches, and the Spanish speaking ladies that make them like no other. I will never understand how the ladies and gentlemen of La Carreta, Versailles, Mojito and Pinecrest make such delightful coffee creations, but I do know that I could have totally used some Cuban coffee here at school to function the past few weeks. Real Miami, Cuban coffee just cannot be replicated anywhere else.
1. The Food.
Pinecrest Bakery, Norman Brothers, Grown, Finka, Pincho Factory, Smoothielicious, Sun Juice, Whip and Dip, My Ceviche, George's, The Big Cheese, Arbetters, Wayside Market, Flannigans, Joe’s Stone Crabs, Robert is Here, Knausberry Farms, Night Owl, Versailles, ChillN, The Big Pink. Need I say more? I’m ready to stuff my face at all of these delicious Miami classics whenever I do go back.
I absolutely love being away at school, but I hope you enjoyed reminiscing with me on the things about my city that I do miss. If you're lucky enough to call Miami your home, you're lucky enough. Dale.
