You know all of those strange characters that make America such a great country? Well, I think most of them live in Miami. The pretentiousness of the city- the classic American greasy diners, the endless shamessly bland hotels on Miami Beach, the women who are so made up on the outside but lack an ounce of anything on the inside; the scrawny bum lying on his bicycle playing the harmonica, the art dealer with snakeskin boots and a cowboy hat straight out of Bonanza - the wierdness of America is at its best here. Just realize that it's all surface, and no substance; it's one big show where everyone is trying to be something other than human; which makes the humans themselves quite the oddity as well.




Miami is a big, fake, party town - and if you're okay with that, then you'll have a great time. Or if you can ignore all of the foolish culture here and just work on your tan, then you'll enjoy your stay here also. The fun factor is high and the reality is low. Needless to say I wasn't too keen on spending that much time here.




But for people watching - old prunes, beach babes, wandering bums, and everyone in between - Miami shines. A character photographer would love it down here. My best suggestion for things to do in Miami is to find a nice perch near a busy sidewalk and watch the people go by. You'll get a fine cross-section of America's finest, and perhaps some better insight into the complex and outrageous nation of The United States of America.







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* A full account of my visit to this country is available in my yet to be published book, Means To An Exit. If you are an agent or publisher and would like to receive an outline and manuscript, please Contact Me.