Miami was our last stop on The Great Train Crossing of the United States. I have done harder things than say good bye to the Amtrak trains. Man was not meant to sleep sitting upright. Good bye trains, hello Miami Beach. Hello fake boobs, hot weather and fit bodies. Miami Beach has its own sense of beauty, far from the traditional northern sense where imperfect bodies can be easily hidden under beautiful clothes, everything is on display here. Bodies are perfectly sculpted though and, it seems, often go under the knife to achieve the perfect form ready to be paraded on Miami Beach with very little clothing.
The main street of Miami Beach is unlike anything I have ever seen before. You will never be 100% prepared for what will be seen – we spent a whole day walking up and down people watching and didn’t get bored. This seems to be common practice for those visiting the area. I really want to describe what I saw, but words fail me and you wouldn’t believe it anyway, nor did I manage to get any photographs. Stunned by the sheer disbelief of what I was witnessing.
Miami Beach is outrageous and at first I was overwhelmed with the experience, but the outrageousness eventually grew on me and I started to respect the uniqueness of the place. Always plenty to see and experience and you’ll never get bored with whats on display. I applaud the confidence of Miami Beach, a big “fuck you” to accepting the normal.
This is a place outside of reality where people come to pretend to be something they are not. From the in your face and often quite creative use, or lack of use, of clothing found parading up and down the streets that would never be worn in any other situation, to the group of five lads who all chip in to hire out the super car at $1500 a day. Work all year saving up for the two week holiday in Miami to pretend that your life that you live the rest of the year doesn’t exist.
When we could pull ourselves away from the entertainment and interest that Miami Beach brought, we made it to The Everglades to do some air-boat touring. This place is full of hype that the tour didn’t really help it live up to. One bird, one alligator and one turtle was the extent of the wild life seen, with a high speed air-boat ride to bring us to a captive alligator show. This felt like some sort of animal abuse was going on here that we weren’t informed about before signing up for the tour which left the nice day out a little tarnished. We seemed to have unwittingly supported a dodgy operation but I’ve never been on an air-boat before, so not all bad.
Miami was well worth the visit, not my sort of city but if I try really hard then I can see the appeal. Keep staying un-true to yourself, Miami.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Harry your photographs are amazing, you really get a feel of what it is like in Miami. That first one of your dad with the approaching train lights is fantastic. I’m glad you’re getting braver and photographing some other people. Stay safe.