Notes from a Miami Beach Café

WanderlustWriting
Written By Valeria L. Palmertree

Time moves quickly,

things change often,

some moments stay exactly the same –

as if suspended in a frame,

weightlessly displayed in my memory:

Like un cafecito y facturas en Manolo,

una charlita con Marian,

the 73rd Street beach access,

las banderas argentinas,

the ebb and flow of Spanish, English, Spanglish,

grocery shopping at M+L food market,

the corner North Beach library,

the smell… what is it about that distinct smell?

the humidity (oh, the humidity),

the walking and talking along Lincoln Road

the very Miami palm trees, the only-in-Miami accent,

the slap-slap-slap of chancletas,

the smell of sunscreen,

the notion of home.

The familiar, the long-forgotten,

the moments that emerge from the sand,

creep up from the sidewalks –

each a cellular imprint,

a story penned in the depths of my heart.

__

Penned June 5 2026, 8:18 a.m., Cachito, Miami Beach

Valeria L. Palmertree

A self-proclaimed dreamer, grammar geek and storyteller with a serious case of wanderlust, I can most often be found somewhere near the water. In addition to beach-combing, my interests include: writing, reading, cooking, dining, listening to live music and taking in the outdoors -- preferably at the same time and in the company of my husband and golden retriever (whom you're likely to meet on these pages along the way).

Originally from Buenos Aires and raised in Miami Beach, I'm fluent in Spanish, Malbecand fútbol. Between the hours of 9 and 5, I'm a communications consultant for travel, tourism and hospitality brands. Additionally, my gig as a freelance writer has given me the opportunity to meet some pretty awesome people along the way. Currently, I'm the copy editor (and a travel contributor) for Electrify magazine. Always the optimist, I believe that connecting with and learning from one another is the surest way to break down barriers and spread some joy. Consider this my virtual olive branch of sorts. <3 xo

http://www.thepalmtreetype.com
Next

The Palm Tree Type is 7!