You know you are in Miami when...

• your directions to WalMart and church include a u-turn

• taxi drivers honk at you as they cut YOU off




• the view outside of your window includes 3-5 cruise ships docked at the port across the bay
  

• your local grocery store's liqour/wine section is larger than the frozen foods section and the store is missing things like: Q-tips, cheese grits, swifter wet jet refills, etc.


• you've been witness to unique money-making schemes including: a family serenade near the bus stop (all about how the Lord has been good to us for giving us eachother- thank you sweet, drunk homeless guy for reminding us), buggy-return service at the supermarket by someone trying to prove to management they would be a good employee, countless people walking up and down lanes of traffic selling: shrimp, flowers, clementines, or just plain asking for money
  
• you can buy an orchid plant for $8 or 2 dozen roses for $12


• you see a walgreens or cvs on every corner (why do Miamians need so many pharmacies?)
  
  
  
  
• you pay to park at your local target, barnes and Noble, Coldstone Creamery, Pottery Barn, Johnny Rockets, book club, play groups at your friends' apartments etc or beach access



• you pay to drive across certain bridges or even just portions of highways



• your local park has signs posted that say: manatee habitat



• you've seen iguanas crossing the road instead of squirrel



• you can ride the metro-mover around downtown for free
  



• you've seen about 50 types of palm trees in your own neighborhood
  
• you can eat food form the following countries: cuba, argentina, el salvador, peru, brasil, haiti, etc.



• your Chruch congregation includes people that speak the following languages (natively): english, spanish, creole, portuguesse, and german

These are just a few I could think of in about the 10 minutes it has taken for me to type this list. As you can tell Miami is unlike any other place I have ever lived. I love it and hate it at the same time. Ok, maybe hate is too strong a word, but seriously, if you were rich and patient Miami could be a blast, but if you are trying to avoid being put in a bad mood or loosing your life's savings... Miami is inconvenient to say the least, but extremely beautiful, unique, and diverse as well!