Cultural Shock

I was really excited when I learnt that I was going to move to Miami. Hey, it sounded great! (and it is, don't get me wrong...yet)

I thought, of all places in the US, Miami must be the closest to home, Spain, due to the Latin influence. I couldn't imagine how wrong I was...

Don't fool yourself, Miami is much closer to the US than to Spain (or Europe). As a place, a phisical location, it IS the US, and that is a big statement.

OK, ok, the people here are probable the less US, but still, they morph and blend in and start adopting American behaviours, losing, whether they (we) like it or not, the roots.

On this first post I will focus on the geographical set up, for starters.

Miami is not a town, or a city. It is just a sum of spread out suburbs. This is something that does not happen in Europe. Even in the biggest cities you have a downtown area, an old town part, a "barrio"... where you can feel part of a community, you can walk around and find the things you need within walking distance. Don't you?

Downtown. What a word. They like to use it for anything. If you could only see what they called Miami Downtown... Where's the people walking around? Where are the cafes? Restaurants and bars?

I dont intend to bitch about Miami. I am loving it. I guess it is just a matter of managing expectations; I thought it was going to be a 10 and it is an 8. But, hey! 8 is still GREAT!

More European experiences in Miami to come. Stay tuned..