It was a job that brought me to Miami in 2001. To be honest, I came reluctantly, thinking I would return "home" to St. Petersburg in a year. I haven't moved away yet and have no plans to do so.

I found a city that is nutty, multi-cultural, unpredictable, and much more than the incoming tourists think it to be. As a business commuter to Pennsylvania a few years ago, I found that "outsiders" always thought of beaches. That's it. Beaches and night clubs.

That's not Miami. That's Miami Beach. And a tourist who confines activities to Miami Beach will miss out on potential for fascinating cultural observations. I have found "Miami" to be a place you can't sum up in 25 words or less. But it's fascinating to explore this place of many flavors.

First the myths:

Miami is all Cuban. No, it's not. If you're a native English speaker and unfamiliar with Spanish vocabulary, you may think that all Spanish-speakers are alike. In Miami, you will find people who came here from Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Puerto Rico, the various Caribbean islands, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador---not to mention Europe, Africa, and Asia.

I learned from conversations with Hispanic (I'm never sure which term is best---"Latin"--or "Hispanic") friends that THEY know the differences between one nationality and another. People from one country may like people from Country B and despise people from Country C. Go figure. Their vocabularies in Spanish are not identical, either.

So what do you do with this information? Well, go online and get the names of ethnic restaurants in Miami---Argentine, Peruvian, Ecuadorian, etc. There is more to Latin/Hispanic cuisine than arroz con pollo (translation: "rice with chicken").

Speaking of diversity, this is one of the few cities in the U.S. where people demonstrate in the streets about issues in their home countries. Venezuelans, for example, are just one national group who make their opinions known by carrying posters and conducting impromptu protests. You never know when one of these demonstrations will emerge, but it's part of Miami's local flavor.

Nobody speaks English in Miami.  I have to admit that knowing some words in Spanish will come in handy while you're in Miami but the third-generation Latin/Hispanics prefer English to Spanish. The waiters in the restaurants will usually speak to you in English but if you use a few familiar terms ("Por favor" for "please" and "Gracias" for "thank you"), that tends to make for friendly relations with Spanish-speakers.

The only thing to do is work on your tan during the day and party in the clubs at night. Although I don't pretend to be a tour guide, here are some suggestions for alternative activities, in case you're interested in stretching your awareness of what Miami-Dade County has to offer. Go online ahead of time to see if there are art shows--a lot of them are outdoors (but not in the hot, hot summer) and there are many galleries to sample. There are also various live theatre productions. Try some window shopping in Coral Gables on Miracle Mile (otherwise known as Coral Way). The atmosphere there is upscale, colorful, very appealing--particularly for those who are young at heart.

Sample the Cuban coffee--but if you're uninitiated, go slowly. It's served in very small cups and it's strong enough to send you swinging from the chandeliers if you're unaccustomed to industrial-strength caffeine.

You may notice some shops marked "Botanica". My understanding of them is that they offer herbs, candles, books, and other accessories related to ---how can I say it politely---some of the "spiritual practices" stemming from the Caribbean and Africa. Botanicas are places where you could learn how to cast a spell on your unfavorite people.

If you're into NASCAR, there are races in Homestead, located in the far southern reaches of Miami-Dade County. In fact, Homestead, risen like a Phoenix (but with a lot of hard work, too) from the destruction of Hurricane Andrew in the 1990s, can offer you some "down-home" atmosphere and delightful shops and scenery. It's a completely different country from Miami Beach but worth taking a look at, even if only for a brief encounter.

If you're a tourist, perhaps just in town for a weekend of fun, you may think that the "locals" spend all their time on the beach, too. If that's what you think, you're clueless. The year-round people (except for the young singles in the 20s) don't spend much, if any, time on Miami Beach because parking is hard to find and the streets are crowded.

There are many, many worlds to explore--besides the beach world--if you come to Miami-Dade County. I haven't even mentioned sports diving or a trip down to the Keys.

Oh, one more tip. This is strictly from personal preference and personal experience, but the Fort Lauderdale International Airport is a much nicer one to fly into. Miami International is crowded, rude in its service, and indifferent to people who don't speak Spanish. There is a calmer, saner atmosphere in the Fort Lauderdale facility---a more promising way to start your South Florida vacation.