Miami Redeemed

In downtown Miami, located at the edge of Biscayne Bay, is a shopping complex named Bayside Marketplace. Most sophisticated people think it is too slick, too un-Miami "cool," a place to be avoided. That's probably why I like it.

One of the attractive things about Bayside is that they have a small square and bandstand where local indie bands--usually Latin--play for free. People get up and dance--salsa, samba, etc. Young people. Old people. Whoever. The rhythm, the beat and the sensual grace of the dancers is captivating. Latin music is at the very soul of the culture in Miami. If one of the communities in greater Miami is having a block party (Coconut Grove, for instance), you can be sure to hear exciting Latin music and people dancing. They go hand-in-hand.

There are about 150 shops at Bayside, including restaurants and a Hard Rock Cafe, a 150 slip marina and charter fishing boats.

Just down Brickel and over the small drawbridge spanning the Miami River is a small, raunchy bar/restaurant called Tobacco Road (try the Death Burger there). It is one of the oldest surviving bars in Miami and a former hangout for Al Capone.

Sunset Drive (72nd street) in South Miami is another example of one of the charms of some parts of the Miami area: small shops, small interesting restaurants. Most of the smaller restaurants have sidewalk tables as well as indoor seating. One example is Deli-Lane, a small, award winning restaurant specializing in breakfasts. There is also the tiny Morning Call Bakery, featuring great coffee and awesome croissants (try the almond, though the chocolate croissant is good also). They, too, have outside tables. (for a recipe for croissants, click here The Food Network).

Then there is Coral Gables with the haunted Biltmore Hotel and the nearby Venetian Pool. The entire community of Coral Gables was planned by George Merrick, who favored the Mediterranean Revival style.

The Venetian Pool--a frequent location for fashion shoots--has grottoes, cascading waterfalls, and architectural elements that mimic Venice, Italy.

New Orleans: Port of Embarkation

So what's important to know about New Orleans?

First of all, the things that tourists have always loved about the city are still there-- almost totally (from a physical standpoint) unaffected by Katrina: the Garden District and the French Quarter. True, the eastern portion of the city (that closest to Lake Pochartrain) was--and is still--devastated by the hurricane. And true, a lot of the people of New Orleans have undergone a diaspora--a dispersion to other parts of the country. And true, there are not enough cops in the city; the crime rate in certain categories has increased. But the typical tourist is not even aware of these things.

What is really important to know about New Orleans is that it represents a way of life: music, good food, and an environment that encourages the creative spirit. It is not Disneyland, but it is a cultural gem to be savored. Try the crawfish pie; try a Mufalatto sandwich; listen to the street musicians; savor the Mississippi River; go to a bar where a New Orleans jazz band is playing; enjoy Jazzfest; enjoy the Noise Parade; be entranced by the museums and art galleries; try the coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde; listen to the steam calliope from the paddle wheeler Natchez.

If you want to get the pulse of New Orleans--warts and all--subscribe to these two podcasts:
Blogging New Orleans: podcast.bloggingneworleans.com/rss.xml
and
New Orleans Podcasting: neworleanspodcasting.com/rss/NewOrleansPodcasting.xml