Aching feet, all for the sake of some culture

Everywhere, on every website imaginable associated with ArtBasel, it warned those attending to wear comfortable shoes since it's a given there would be a lot of walking involved. Not only at the Convention Center for the main show but around other parts of town like the Design District and Wynwood.Well, for the sake of being fashionable and as an excuse to wear my boots, I donned them for my annual Saturday night during ArtBasel jaunt to the Design District and Wynwood. My best friend Monica suffered right along with me while my son walked blocks ahead of us snickering and laughing at our expense. Hey, we deserved it.But oh was it worth it, to see the art and the overall vibe of those neighborhoods on that Saturday night. To the world in attendance we were the place to be. Miami looked awesome that entire week and I was ecstatic to be a part of it. The movement going on at Wynwood Walls was downright impressive. To see graffiti art welcomed in such a way was so gratifying and then to see all types of performance art and activity throughout the streets made it even better.I have to admit, we didn't get even close to experiencing what we did a few years back (or was it last year?) on a rooftop in Wynwood where some folks devised a contraption where people took turns sitting in what looked like a desk chair seat that when ignited by what looked like a rocket engine crazily spun around for what seemed like way too long. Sure it seemed a bit dangerous but being on the rooftop and taking the lift they were using to get people up there was memorable. Hey, I'm still talking about it right?I know that the ArtBasel madness in Miami can be a bit overwhelming and daunting but it's great for the city and brings in some major heavy hitters. Collectors who come here seeking out the best of the best. They stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and go back home hopefully telling all their friends about the Magic City. It gets me pumped to know we've come this far and we are receiving such international attention. If you ask me, it's long overdue.