BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

Being a single male in today's society, I obviously look at people ( and this is where I should emphasize women).  I have been quick to notice the people that I have came into contact with in the 36 hours that I have been here, but the people are just very good looking.  Obviously not every single person including the homeless man pushing the cart past my house can make it into GLAMOUR magazine or anything, but the overall look and style of people has really stuck out to me.  I believe a large part of this is that dark skin is something people strive for, and the Cuban or latino people naturally have this dark, beautiful skin.  But is beauty only skin deep?  To some people, I guess I would have to say it is.  I have met some very beautiful looking people, however, when they show their true colors, I'd rather hang out with the homeless man that has deep stories!  This said, I can not say all of Miami and the surrounding towns are full of truly beautiful people.  However, the people that I have came into contact have all proven so far to be very beautiful within as well.  Being here Sunday and going to church, I obviously have put myself in the position to be with people who also have their hearts in the right place.  I haven't had the chance to meet those people with their drug and alcohol problems which are out there.  That time will come.  For now, Miami is BEAUTIFUL!

Church today consisted of a "church" that started a year ago.  They were planted here in Miami as an existing church decided to try and "survive" as others came in and helped them out.  It was a very good service that had a worship band and a very good pastor/sermon.  He was a man who moved here from Brazil and leads the congregation in a very mixed-culture way.  He really is pushing at getting out to other cultures and experiencing them and the people at are in them.  He talked a lot about the whites and how we all tend to stick together and are the worst at "getting out" and being with others.  We have our predominantly white churches, who turn their heads and stare at the dark skinned person who walks through the doors instead of welcoming them with open arms.  Thinking of this statement, I just have to sit and smile....because it is SO true.  Just days ago at a going-away BBQ my family had, one of my friend from the Tongan Islands came to wish me off.  The first thing he noticed was almost every head turn and stare at him, as they talked quietly still looking at him wondering what he was doing there.  It couldn't have been more obvious to him that he was looked at as an outsider, but he has been used to that in Harper.  Growing up with this community, I have been taught the same gestures, and am sure I would have been on the other side was it someone else's dark friend coming.  Working on a change in this direction is something that already is taking place, as I have met only 2 other white people in Miami.  One in which I share a bedroom with and the other bunks across the hall.

The rest of the day was occupied with much needed sleep.  Sunday afternoon naps are the most amazing part of the week, and I am sure that will continue to be my opinion.  I then kept up my foreign relations in Bermuda with Skype for a bit as I talked with Nathanael for a bit.  He will be flying to Miami this coming Tuesday, so we are planning an outing -since I am now an expert on Miami and know how to get around :/ 

Tomorrow is the start of something new and great! I will take my new car known as Godzilla to the DOOR house (a 15 passenger van to the rest of the world) to where I will be working for the remainder of my stay here.  A quick story about that and then I am going to bed.  Today at lunch we were talking about the murders that happen in town and all the crime.  I decided to ask where the majority of the crime is at.  "Oh, up at this and that street" (I forget the exact streets).  The girl there must have seen my look of confusion as I dont know the streets around.  She says, "Have you heard of little Haiti?  That is where it is."  Which translates to....right where my school is at! AWESOME!  Hopefully there are some 7 foot white guys walking around that steal all the attention!