Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Miami: My Favorite East Coast City In The US


New Year's Eve 2019

     Like many New Yorkers my first taste of Miami was spring break as a college student... Or maybe college drop out by that time. It started for me as a place to party, but over the years and countless trips there it's become something more to me now. I have friends that live there, I've dated girls there, in 2006 I almost moved there, I'm about to be the best man at a wedding there, it's been my link to most trips to South America or the Caribbean. From the days of it being a party spot, it's become more like a second home, and it's become a major key for me coming back to the USA. I have some other common airport hubs when I go abroad, but Miami is the only one where if the layover is in Miami, it's not a layover anymore, but a separate layover vacation to visit this beautiful city. 

Early 20's first visit!


Young traveler with a total of zero passport stamps drinking in the hotel 
on South Beach to save money! I had actually visited two or three countries back then, 
but in those days Canada, Mexico, or the Bahamas didn't need for passports


Hanging with the gators in 2017

    In the early 2000's I made my first trip out there, partying on south beach, partying on south beach, and partying on south beach. I didn't speak a word of Spanish, didn't see the gators, didn't visit Little Havana, or anything cultural for that matter. Wynwood didn't really even exist back then. Brickell I'm not so sure. I can at least say between the partying we did go in the ocean. I also remember those days I was making about $10 an hour working for an ambulance company in Brooklyn, NY. The South Beaches prices were steep to say the least! Fast forward to the wedding trip in 2025! I'm now a Fire Captain, investor, real estate investor, home owner, business ower, and of course blogger! And the prices are still steep! Every time I come here, Miami is one step above my pay grade! But I still love it, and will never stop coming back. 


      So what makes this place so special? Where to start? 9 months of glorious weather and beautiful beaches. We are talking beautiful beaches with calm, warm, clear water, white sands, super chill and comfortable. I will say 9 months, definitely not 12, the summers can be rough with humidity, and I live in Arizona and still say the summers are rough there! If are single, its lined with beautiful singles looking to mingle, if you are there with your lover, there's countless romantic date spots to visit and things to do from exploring underwater to a rooftop bar overlooking the city. It's the cultural link to Latin America, Spanish is spoken everywhere, as a huge part of the USA has Latin American roots Miami is the city that really links it together. I'm sort of passed the age now, but the party scene can start in an Irish dive bar and finish in a night club at 5am, still hungry after? The food scene, from a street pizza to elegant dining, options for everyone. But these are things I think a lot of tourist books or tripadvisor reviews will say... I decided to write this today, to also say more specifically why Miami is special to me.

Wynwood was born


    This will be a blend of stories, hopefully it makes sense. It's the year 2000 something? Shit, too far back to remember, it's one of the 7 spring breaks I went on (I only went to college for 2 years). I'm in the Bahamas with my buddies, we just get back from the beach, and it's almost the end of the trip... Memory is an odd thing, because I am imagining we are all on smart phones for this story, in reality, I don't even know if we had cell phones here. My first cell phone comes 2004ish when I'm working, I'm pretty sure I'm still in college for this story, so likely no. We are 5 guys from NYC, Connecticut, and one guy living in Miami, Florida. My buddy Justin checks the weather and sees it will be 15 or so and snowing in New Haven, CT. Team NYC checks the weather, we are going back to 20's with no snow, so I guess it's a little better. Then Victor from Miami chimes in, 72.... 21 or so Celsius.... 

          

     Two of my brothers love the snow, they ski, they snowboard, they love the cold. I love to visit the cold. I don't love to live in the cold. The Spring Break trips from freezing NY to tropical destinations were the initial steps to me leaving the city to start life elsewhere, and of course, Miami was a big part that. When it came time to leave NYC I had narrowed it down, and had to decide between Miami, Florida, and Phoenix, AZ. I chose Phoenix, mainly because housing was more affordable. Ironically where I live now in Scottsdale, AZ is more expensive than most areas of Miami. But no regrets, that humidity in the summer wasn't for me.

                   

      Then we cut to my single days, more specifically when relationships ended, it seemed like a good idea to head down to Miami, I am dating someone now, so we will not get into details... But again, Miami is good for singles. It helped me through a rough break up or two!

One of the countless nightclubs spinning all night long

     As I got more experienced at international trips, and more fluent in Spanish, I started to realize the hub Miami Airport was a great launching point to South America, but since I always enjoyed my trips there, why just hang out in the airport. I pretty much always would spend a day or two visiting friends or chilling on the beach. For some of those long flights it definitely helped breakup a boring flight. I also became more and more aware of how my Spanish was opening the doors to blending more and more into the culture there. I loved walking into a store or restaurant and being spoken to and responding completely in Spanish from someone from Colombia, Cuba, Peru, etc. And of course if I was with a Gringo friend the staff would kindly speak English as well. It gave me a feeling of being able to visit a little bit of all the Latin American countries in one. Like a Copa America tournament in one city.

           
      But hey, it's also America to the fullest. Coming back from an international trip, and it being the welcome home city and welcome back city for me was far better than other international hubs. I always felt, this is my country, and my city welcoming me back, even though I didn't live there. The weather isn't the only warm thing, the people never disappoint me.


      I have now been to all 50 states. I loved all 50, but I don’t need to revisit every one. But Miami, Florida… this is a place I hope to always come back to. After countless trips there, beyond all the Tripadvisor-type stuff, there are memories in the corners, the neighborhoods, the bars, the clubs, the cafés, the late night pizza, the beach… I walk those memories with my former self every time I walk the streets there, and make countless new memories as well. When you go somewhere you love, it’s a trade-off. You take part of that place with you everywhere you go, and you leave a part of yourself there. But when you go back… you can see and feel that part, relive that part, and you always will remember it.




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Saturday, November 8, 2025

Colombia!

 I have now been to Colombia several times, so I thought it deserved its own section!

Beaches, bars, and avoiding military police in Cartagena!

One Month in Colombia



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1 Month In Colombia

   

      The first time was 2009, Cartagena, the 2nd Bogota, Medellin, and a side trip to Guatape for New Year's 2015, then 2025 came, it was time to go back. 2009 I could mumble some basic Spanish, it was my first time traveling to South America, I had no friends in Colombia, and really I was new at international travel in general. Fast forward 16 years, I've been all over the world, speak fluent Spanish, travel with multiple passports, I know the streets better, I know the world better.... At least I think I do.... Maybe we all think we do, but then the world can always surprise us! But all that aside, that first trip to Colombia was one of those trips that was significant in my travel life. It opened the doors to beautiful South America. Now, I don't know how many times now I have been to South America. I do know that I have been to every country in South America except Venezuela (yet), and I'm currently working on getting a rentista, nomad, or pensionado visa for Argentina, so needless to say, I like this place. It all started with Colombia. So it was time, long overdue, to go back.

Colombia 2009, my first time in South America!

     Since those early travel days of not knowing anyone I since met some great friends in Colombia and had to of course visit them. I also wanted to revisit some places, and to explore new corners, oh, and completely unplanned bonus, it was during Carnival, so I of course added Barranquila. So the month looked like this...

1 week in Medellín
1 week in Cali
5 days in Baranquila
1 week in Bogota

Medellín

      Medellín was the biggest change from my prior trips to Colombia, and honestly a bit disappointing. Medellín in 2015 was an untouched land, super super cheap prices, a bit touristy but not too much, a bit dodgy, but safe if you were street smart, and very Colombian. Fast forward 16 years... I exit my taxi to my Airbnb, I'm hungry and walk out around 8pm to get some food.... The whole block as I walk past restaurants, all I hear is English. The little Colombian restaurants we dined at have been replaced by giant hamburger joints and "New York Pizza". Don't get me wrong, I love hamburgers, and I love New York Pizza, but I was missing the Colombia I knew. For context, this was almost all in El Poblado, the main tourist area.

                

   The nightlife scene was over flooded with expats, prostitutes, scammers, and expensive drinks, I live in Scottsdale, AZ and at some of the bars the prices damn near paralleled what I pay in Scottsdale. The food wasn't as good. The scene was different... But I too was different. The Joe that went in 2009 probably would have been thrilled, "They speak English everywhere!", "Hamburgers were great!" etc. So that being said, I totally agree with the people that live there. If I worked in Medellín, I would have done exactly the same thing. It's a great way for a once poor city to make money and come out of poverty and hard times.


     The good, it was fun paragliding over the city. As much as I complained one paragraph ago about western influence, credit cards were now widely accepted, the gyms were way better, as were supermarkets. And the core that was there and still is was great. Laureles and Envigado were huge pluses. Laureles wasn't quite the Medellín from many years ago, but definitely didn't feel like I was in Times Square either. Envigado was also a super chill neighborhood I went to twice. Its the type of place that would be tranquil to live in, but could get boring after awhile. The fine line to cross, when it goes from boring to too touristic!

                              


Barranquilla


                         

     The next stop on the Colombia tour was Barranquilla. I had never been but definitely met a few friends from there over the years. It's not the best city in Colombia but we had a good time there. It's small as far as the tourist things to do. But that being said it was fun and easy to get around, seeing some crazy buildings, meeting friends there, exploring the city, spending time on the pier, and of course Carnival was all a great time.




      Carnival, Rio is the big one, but Barranquilla did not disappoint! For starters we came into the game late, booking hotels less than a month before and getting tickets to the parade the same day. We didn't go to see Shakira but for last minute plans we had a blast, the parade was fun followed by the night out after. Don't wear your favorite clothes because you will get the celebration powder on you!

     I also really enjoyed the rooftops of Barranquilla. It's a more humble part of Colombia, great people, great food, bad humidity, but good times.


                         


Bogotá

          

     Bogotá was a repeat, sort of. The first time was in 2015, but I had arrived late after being stuck in the Dallas Airport terminal for 2 days during a horrific storm. So Bogotá Part 1 was rushed. Bogotá Part 2 was much more tranquil. My Colombian sister Martha lives there, shout out to you if you are reading this! A friend for over 15 years now, she guided us through the first time, and no doubt helped on the second. Travel is always better with locals, and even better if they are friends.

     


I bought some clothes and a pet to mask in with the locals!

      Parts of Bogotá remind me immensely of New York City where I grew up. I enjoyed those parts minus the traffic and rain, I also enjoyed where I stayed in La Candeleria, although in retrospect, Chapinero would be my recommendation for future Bogotá travelers as La Candeleria by night was not the safest place.Chapinero zero problems. But during the day La Candeleria was amazing, a step into Colombian history, museums, coffee shops, and so much good food!     

      We also set out to the country side one day. This was my last day in Colombia. I can't tell you where we went, I don't remember, and I wasn't driving. I can tell you it was beautiful to escape the city and spend time with my friends in nature. My flight was at midnight so things weren't rushed. We got back to Bogotá, and they dropped me off at the airport. I was truly sad to leave this beautiful country behind for the 3rd time, but also know I was blessed to have visited 3x. So it was time to say goodbye yet again... But wait.... that was good bye to Colombia, not the end of this article.                                             


CALI
                                 I wanted something else on this trip. A new experience, a less traveled road... I talked so some friends on language forums and was recommended to look into Cali. There's a reason I saved this for last. Of the 6 cities I have been to in Colombia, Cali is my favorite. Not by far, but its my favorite. The normal tourist things, the churches, the river, parque de los perros y los gatos, futbol games, and of course a deep dive into the capital of salsa dancing were all amazing. But I more felt like the place could be called home.
                      

      The gyms were great, very important for my daily life. The city is big, but not too big. The main street of the Granada neighborhood was perfect for nightlife. San Antonio for history. Food! Not just Colombian food, other world cuisine. I liked the unique vibe and flavor. Christ The Redeemer, almost as big as the one in Brazil, but much easier to visit as I have had the honor to see both. Night time, again, to be honest, not the safest place. I may live here one day. But it would be during my 40s, not so sure about the 50s. By day I explored many neighborhoods and loved em. By night it was 50/50. Especially on weekdays.




     But the friends I had there were very warm hearted. The strangers I did talk to were kind. The weather wasn't as good as Medellin, but 2nd best of all the cities I've been to there. And very very affordable. I remember sitting in a futbol bar, without my friends, just enjoying a beer, and watching the game, and thinking.... This is a city I need to come back to.

             

      2009 was a long time ago. I have to thank my friend also named Joe for introducing me to this country. It was his idea to go to Cartagena that I agreed to reluctantly at the last minute. Who would have thought I'd be writing about it 16 years and 4 visits later, yes 4! I actually got stuck there on a flight delay for a day 2 months ago and had breakfast with Martha. This country always amazes me, it always shows me something new, in the country, and in myself. When the plane takes off on certain countries, I sometimes reflect and think... This was a great place, but I'll never be back... I hope I never say that leaving Colombia.

2009 First time meeting a sloth!

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