A. Brown Girl’s "Swagger" in M.I.A.: A 24 Hour Trip

I sure thought I’d be missing in action the moment I stepped off the plane. Miami has been one of the most talked about vacation spots among my peers---male and female. In 2002, I had a discussion with co-workers about my lack of experience with “Girl Trips,” and they cautioned me to have one before I got married. (Bruhs Joe and Regg).

Here I am, four years later celebrating Girl Trip ’06…the third since 2004. Regardless if I’m married or not, it’s necessary---a rejuvenation if you will. Now that you’ve read my soliloquies, let me get to the nitty gritty…and the bottom of my feet are quite gritty from the sand.

(Miami, Florida – June 29, 2006) The forecast called for rain throughout the country. Homes were flooded in D.C. while I packed for a twenty-four hour layover in Miami, Florida in route to a cruise to the Bahamas. My linesister, Tamu, are escaping from 9 months of labor...in the education industry. We made plans with intentions of having a hellava summer break.

“If you don’t love Miami and want to extend your stay, you’ll need to do some introspective thinking ‘cause something is wrong with you,” my Miami informant, Toussaint personified, charged. In fact, the title was totally inspired by him. THANKS!

Aside from the great weather, walking up to where the waters meet the sand was an anticlimactic experience. It is the only place I’ve visited where segregation of color does not need legislation. Sandy brown and aqua blue are simply separated until the shift of the currents bring them together. The union of water and sand is greeted with an ocean's applause. Splash! Splash! Waters crashing and drowning my thoughts Miami consumed me while doing a Freestyle on my mind (http://www.coffeedreamz.com/poetry.htm). Those waves are the hem of Jesus's garment 'cause I felt I was made whole right then and there. The water's touched me (shout out to Ideana).

Once I had my hair colored, I jokingly claimed to be Cuban. The bronze highlights were a perfect contrast to my red, cocoa skin tone. Walking down Washington Avenue, a kind man shared a smile with me. I returned the gesture but quickened my pace no sooner than he started speaking Spanish. It was time to invest in that Learn to Speak Spanish in Ten Days cd.

Since space and your time won't permit, enjoy my top ten interesting things in South Beach:

10. The man at the bus stop who insisted that Tamu was Halle Barry (On our night walk on South Beach).

9. The teenagers in front of Lincoln Theater attempting to break dance for compensation. The audience was there, but we'd rather they rehearse in their Mama's basement instead of in front of us. SHOUT OUT TO THE KIDS WHO ROCKED in the 80s and tore up the cardboard or linoleum slab with your moves!

8. The greatest invention ever is the the cyber cafe. ONE ON EACH CORNER. Thanks Peter.

7. Gino's pizza. A taste of NYC was on Washington Avenue.

6. Me holding a snake that "appeared on National Geographic," according to the owner who suggested I pay him $5 to hold his pet. I did. Hey, you only live once. I'm not going to knock the man's hustle. He's trying to stay out of 9 to 5. Who can blame him? MIAMI IS BEAUTIFUL!

5. Parking meters can now be paid with credit cards. Saw this in Ocean City and Orlando, Florida. This might be a nation-wide phenomenon. So, be on the look out.

4. The man at the bus stop continues to insist that Tamu is Halle Barry (This is on the return trip to the hotel). I'm starting to think he lives there.

3. PARENTAL ADVISORY SUGGESTED: A souvenir shop sold a 1 inch penis that can grow 600% it's size (COVERING MOUTH). I was just trying to buy a hat for the captain's dinner on the ship. Honest...and there it was on the counter.

2. McDonald's has a walk up window.

1. The same McDonald's also had two patrons, in the open, setting up shop...a hair braiding shop. The braider smiled at us as if this was something normal.

LOVING THIS CITY and I can't wait to come back.

Until July...I'm on a Miami High!

Sincerely,
A. Brown Girl