Miami, Fla.
By: Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
From: Miami, FL
By: Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
From: Miami, FL
Article Tools
 | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Photo Gallery
|
Miami, Fla.Explore more photos from the story |
When someone asks me: "Where are you from", I reply, without thinking: "Miami." That raises a few eye brows, because I still have a slight teutonic accent; not surprisingly really, because I was born and raised in the north of Germany. You can't choose your family, but you are free to select your friends. The same principle applies when it comes to a hometown: you can't do much about the place where you grew up in, but you can follow your heart and adopt a town as your home where you want to spend the rest of your life. Whenever I look from my terrace, 28 floors up with the Miami River flowing below, I know why Miami is my home. I can't be happy anywhere where there is no body of water and where it's not warm. I still remember the first time, a local, shivering, said to me: "It's just a cold front, it'll pass soon." Cold front? The temperature was in the high 60s! I can live with that kind of cold front. And of course, there is no shortage of water. The Atlantic Ocean and the white sands of South Beach, the mystery filled Everglades up the Tamiami Trail, the 42 bridges from Miami to Key West and, my favorite, the Miami River. A guided tour on a boat, organised by the Historical Museum of Southern Florida is a trip into Miami's colorful history. I never tire of watching the containerships, maneuvering precariously around the bends of the river and under the raised bridges.Early in the morning I can even see manatees, slowly migrating upriver, often their babies in tow. At the river's mouth on Biscayne Bay, we have the newest Miami attraction, combining recreation with history: the Miami Circle, a sacred site of the prehistoric Tequesta Indians, discovered about 20 years ago by chance during construction work. In a unique way, Miami combines American efficiency with Latino laid-back charm. What never fails to fascinate me is the variety of things and events Miami has to offer. Great shopping, great eating, great beaches, history, music, art exhibitions, Art Deco district and modern architecture. At every twist and turn, it's easy to discover something new and to be surprised by contrasts. I just love to chill in one of the wooden chairs on the sea wall of Bayside Park, surrounded by Cuban families having a picnic, but being only steps away from busy Flagler Street if I feel the need for city life. Yes, my love affair with my adopted hometown is bound to last.
| Tweet |  |
Comments (4)
You've hit just about all the high points about living here. I, too am a transplant from far north, but I've been living here for > 30 years. I love winter, detest the traffic, summer heat & humidity, and bugs. I also love home-grown mangos, which are just about the most delicious fruit anywhere, but they need the summer heat to ripen, so I tolerate the heat for them. Milkshakes & fruit smoothies from one of the many fresh produce places such as "Robert was Here" in Florida city are so good they have to be sampled to be believed.
Posted by Robert Black on March 3,2011 | 04:41 PM
You have a way of making readers go everywhere you've been. Excellent writing !
Cheers,
Mike
Posted by Michael Lynch on January 7,2010 | 10:35 AM
Glad you are so settled Miami is great place to be, congratulations you are obviously working very hard.
Posted by yvonne stevens on November 1,2009 | 04:40 AM
So wonderfully written, and a great perspective from a non-native. I can't wait to go back to the City of My Grandparents again!
Posted by malerie Yolen-Cohen on October 31,2009 | 01:52 PM