I hope everyone’s New Year is off to a great start!
Mine started by roughing it overnight at the Fort Lauderdale Airport due to expensive accommodations over the holiday.
Proudly, I was able to use all public transportation the following day to get to Miami. There is a free shuttle to the Tri-Rail station, a regional rail system.
Hourly trains depart toward Miami for only five dollars on the weekends. I think it would cost me that much just to sit in a cab.
From the Tri-Rail system, one has the opportunity to transfer to the Metro Rail system, part of Miami’s public transit system. I bought a day pass for $7.65.
This transfer station appeared to be the outskirts of Miami. I was quite surprised how derelict the area around the station appeared.
Police were also patrolling the station and onboard trains.
I am frequently asked about the police presence in various countries as if it were a way to draw a conclusion about another country. I am no longer sure the United States has some sort of “advantage” in police presence (if there is or was ever such a thing).
Police Officer Working at the Station
Sadly, the Metro Rail only covers downtown Miami and never enters Miami Beach. Common city planners, get with it!
However, conveniently, the day pass covers city busses. With the help of my iPhone and a friendly driver, I found the correct bus to Miami Beach. It was surprising to have managed three different transports with such ease. I was quite impressed as I normally struggle much more in unfamiliar transportation systems.
My hostel is well located on the border of Mid Beach and South Beach.
My Hostel Dormitory
The friendly German couple sharing my dormitory also managed using the public transport.
Interestingly, their perspective was how awful the transportation was. They found the trains to be old, filthy, and crowded. Which, it certainly was. The fact the Metro Rail did not reach Miami Beach was a surprise to them too.
When one is accustomed to the marvels and reach of German public transportation, American transport just does not measure up.
It was fascinating to me how we both came to polar-opposite views over the same experience.
Overlooking the negative features, I was just grateful I even had the option of public transport that more or less got me where I needed to go. When that is the norm for someone, expectations are altered, something we often lose sight of by failing to put ourselves in another’s perspective.
However, the German couple were quite impressed by the ability to use Uber, a concept that is struggling to gain a foothold in Germany.
Miami Beach must have banned architects in the second half of the century, as much of the architecture is a time capsule to Art Deco design.
The Fillmore Theatre
A Walgreens in a spaceship looking building
A nicely lit structure
Another Walgreens
Oh, I love the backlight Street Sign Names
Walking around provides an ambiance of stepping back in time. The nighttime views of the buildings are skillfully lit to amplify the beauty of this type of design. I hope to learn more in the coming days.
// Oliver – Day 2 – Miami