My friends and I took an early birthday trip to South Beach to celebrate two of our birthdays in January. We selected South Beach to get away from the cold. Boy, did we have great timing. We left right after the big ice storm and returned right after the next snowstorm. Miami was also having a cold front, but it is not the same as ours. The only change we had to make due to their chillier-than-usual weather was to cancel our nighttime boat cruise.

Our first day in South Beach started with a Food and Art Deco tour. We visited numerous restaurants, including the one used in the movie “The Birdcage.”  We also visited Gloria Estefan’s restaurant/hotel. We learned about the Art Deco design. How the rule of three is a must. The sharp lines, symmetry, and bold colors also form the basis of this type of design. Our guide also pointed out the “brows” on most buildings as a common design choice: flat lines that jut out around the windows. He taught us about the history of South Beach and the Cuban migration that influences so much of Miami's food, design, and more.

Salsa lessons are a must while visiting South Beach. We gussied up in our salsa heels and colorful wigs to take on the dance class at Mango’s. The class was an hour-long session in a private room at a dance club, so we could learn and then practice afterward. The dance club also had their own dancers, and we enjoyed watching them.

Growing up in eastern NC surrounded by tobacco made the cigar factory tour in Little Havana very appealing to me. I had tobacco barns across the street from my house, and my mother helped barn tobacco when I was growing up. My father farmed tobacco growing up, too. I spent one day topping tobacco, and that was enough for me. The tour taught us how cigars are harvested, how different parts of a cigar are made, what makes different types of cigars, and the regions of the world where tobacco is grown specifically for cigars. The factory we toured was actually just two rooms, with two workers making them. Both of them have been making cigars for many decades. It wasn’t the large factory tour I expected, but I appreciated the personalization even more. After the tour, we visited the famous domino park. It is a covered area where people gather to play dominoes and chess. Next to it is a vendor’s park and music stage.

Another highlight of the trip was having brunch at the Versace Mansion. It is one of the most beautiful restaurants I have been to. The lobby was gorgeous with its Greek statues and fountain. We ate outside next to the very elaborately colored pool. If you ever visit South Beach, it is a must-do.

The weather wasn’t warm enough to spend much time at the beach, but I did get in up to my knees once and walked the beach a few times. I always enjoy nature and bird watching. This time, I also got to enjoy the colorful, varied design of the lifeguard stands. Each stand has a different profile and color scheme. One of them is even called “The Simpson” stand because it looks like Simpson hair.

Another unexpected joy of the trip was the people we met. We met people visiting the USA from England, Ireland, Scotland, Chile, Korea, Vietnam, Argentina, and more. Most of them were leaving Miami on a lengthy Caribbean but some were visiting for birthdays, and one was on honeymoon. I always enjoy meeting people from new places and learning about their homeland and culture. My hope is to also share with them the love I have for North Carolina and the USA.

I don’t know if I could have laughed anymore on our trip. Trips with friends are certainly good for the soul. I feel so blessed to have a milestone birthday coming up. Miami is a beautiful city and a great place to visit in winter for sunny skies and endless fun. The culture, the people, and the food make it a wonderful choice for staying in the USA but experiencing something different.