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Cultural Learnings of a Yankee to Make Better Understanding of Florida

I recently ran a half marathon (ING Miami) in and around the city of Miami. Between miles four and eight, the course ran through the famed Miami Beach area. As I ran on to Ocean Drive, a sudden realization came to me. I was running past Lummus Park, the beach being just beyond; I turned off my iPod and listened to the subtle sound of crashing waves. The faintest scent of salt and sea hung in the air, quickly dissipated by the light breeze. I turned my iPod back on to keep my motivation going. As Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone" thumped in my ears, I took notice of my surroundings: A group of men and women, faces showing signs of being hung over, still in their previous nights clubbing attire, held up a sign stating, "Run like you stole something!!!"

Clever.

I flashed a grin and waved. They enthusiastically waved back, creating a domino effect of cheers from the other runners behind me. I also started noticing the varying architecture: pseudo-white washed buildings, open air bars and restaurants, beach front hotels that maintained an air of sophistication and Miami-poshness, despite their age. I had seen similar architecture in Goa, India. Somehow, the buildings in Goa felt like they actually meant what they professed on oceanside living. These buildings in Miami projected a shadow of that attitude.

As expected, I did pass by the occasional Bentley Continental or convertible sports car, both testaments to the wealth and ostentatious nature of Miami. But somehow, none of that bothered me as it would have before. I could blame my disregard on the taxing event I was partaking in. I would like to think that I actually gained some respect for the area. Maybe the attitudes of Miami aren't solely based on a New York City mentality of dog-eat-dog. Maybe, as I have long suspected, living in the sun and on the beach dulls the senses and causes care free attitudes to permeate the local society; enjoyment of life, even at the cost of over-consumption and blatant materialism, is valued over everything else.

I rounded a corner and found myself on the straight away that is the Venetian Causeway. Ah, here is the face of Miami that I always imagine in my mind: Million dollar homes, yachts, private beach access. Although this was nothing like the atrocities (1/4 mile long homes) I had witnessed while driving on the A1A in the Palm Beaches, I half expected a man in a gilded chariot drawn by white horses, chatting obnoxiously on his Bluetooth headset about some business deal or other, to roll past me as I toiled toward the finish line.

No such luck.

The next few miles were unremarkable; more homes and a high school that looked like some new age temple or spaceport. From the vantage point of this particular area, I saw the greater Miami area. The skyline, made of glass, steel and reflected sun light, was impressive.

I crossed the finish line in about three hours, covered in sweat, pain and proverbial tears. I collapsed on a hill in Bayfront park, sipping a recovery shake; the grass and shade enveloped me in a cocoon of coolness and calm. I thought back to my earlier drive (when I first moved to South Florida) in downtown Fort Lauderdale, casually cruising on the A1A, taking in the beach and sights. That is when I came to the conclusion that Miami wasn't as bad as I had previously thought. Sure, it represented the opposite of my minimalist tendencies, but the ethnic culture, in what I would say is struggling to stay relevant, could negate the uber-materialism and superficiality.

Miam(me)i has a fake-it-till-you-make-it type of mentality. Do everything in your power to enjoy life to the fullest extent, even if you come off as a egotistical, materialistic, over-consuming social parasite. It is all about deriving maximum amount of pleasure and enjoyment. I can't argue with that. Fort Lauderdale is the type of city where you get what you see. Sure, it has it's mix of ocean front bars, restaurants and towering monoliths that were built to worship monetary success, but all of that pales to the relaxed atmosphere when compared to Miami. To me, Fort Lauderdale says, "When you come here, enjoy yourself. Don't worry about schedules, bills, work, etc. Have a drink, eat some delicious food and let your worries wash away in the warm Atlantic." For those that are permanent residents, strolling the palm tree lined streets and looking out to the ocean is a calming culmination to the work day.

Did I just give Miami a chance and is it growing on me? Yes and yes.

What have I done?!