Howdy! My name is Mohan, I’m a senior premed undergraduate at Florida International University. I major in Biology and minor in Business and Chemistry. I want to pursue a dual degree MD/MBA in the future. Throughout my undergraduate career I believed that exploring is a foundation of a new beginning. Over the past decade, I lived in multiple places including India, New Jersey, Rochester, Daytona Beach, Orlando and Miami! This allowed me to gain insights about various regions and local traditions. I’ve always wanted to learn more about the culture and history of Miami. As a part of the Honors College, I am thrilled to share my experience and exploration about Miami in this page!
Deering as text
Miami’s Preserved History!
By Mohan Yatham Of FIU at The Deering Estate, 2 September 2020
<p class="has-drop-cap" style="line-height:1.8" value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">The Deering Estate preserves not only a European style mansion but also entire conservation of multiple rare species of plants, ferns, trees, and a diversity of wildlife, such as coyotes, snakes, spiders, foxes, and many more! It is also an excellent place for hiking and immersing in nature. One can only appreciate the value with live visualization of land that has an ancestral background. I can say that I am a lucky Floridan to have walked on the same road as the regular trade road for the Tequesta tribe. One of my favorite views throughout the hike had to be the Pine Rocklands with spectacular views. The quote below resembles to the fact that we should embrace the footprints of our ancestors and connect with the history. However, I did have an adventure walking through the poison Ivy plants with a missing sole on my boots!
Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints!
Chief Si ahl
Some of the other interesting sites include the mangroves with green/blue spring waters. That area can also be described as the “shell island,” considering the number of shells seen in the province. Each shell had a purpose, such as drilling or hunting. The hike had views of large trees, such as the gumbo limbo tree, as seen in the picture above. Image 2 shows beavers’ home, but it is a freshwater canal that was blasted years ago. Photo 3 shows views during the hike when attempting to explore a crashed plane. The last picture served as a trap when animals drop in that area and cannot escape; it is an excellent meal for the wolves and other predators!
Overall, the views were spectacular, and it is one place that everyone especially living in Miami, should visit and embrace the long-lasting history at home!
South Beach as Text
Compass of South Beach’s Outstanding Architecture!
By Mohan Yatham Of FIU at The South Beach, 16 September 2020
<p class="has-drop-cap" value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">When you hear the name South Beach, you automatically know that it is one of the most visited tourist attraction! While the streets of South Beach are prominently known for the nightlife, restaurants, beach activities, there is a much more significant reason for its ever-growing popularity. That is how I knew about South Beach until I had the lecture with professor Bailly. I never thought about the preserved architecture such as the art deco design, Miami modern design, and specific details of some buildings for the number of times I walked through the Lincoln road, ocean drive, and many parts of the south beach.Downtown Miami as Text
Compass of South Beach’s Outstanding Architecture!
By Mohan Yatham Of FIU at The Downtown Miami, 30 September 2020
Downtown Miami holds some of the most historical monuments and is filled with iconic multicultural towers along the east coast of South Florida. The origin of Miami’s infrastructure begins at the intersection of Flagler Street and Miami Ave. Having been to other nations such as India, England, and Costa Rica, I appreciate the preservation of historic buildings across downtown Miami. The historical places such as the Gisu Church, Biscayne Key, Miami-Dade courthouse, Freedom tower, Fort Dallas, Wagner House, Brickell Park, and many more built today’s Miami community. The Gus church played a crucial part in understanding the roots of Christianity in Miami from the Spanish.
It was a fascinating experience to stand at Tequesta’s capital, where Ponce De Leon first sailed to Miami. The massive apartments and structures were built over the graveyard of the Tequestas. The Wagner House is the oldest in Miami, which was built by a German in 1855. When I looked at the Wagner House, I quickly recalled a village in India with similar design homes. One of the most interesting parts of the visit to downtown Miami is the Fort Dallas vicinity. That building served as a slave plantation house, and it was preserved as a historic building. The Brickell family is one of the most important contributors to the skyline and infrastructure of the downtown Miami. The architecture of the freedom building resembles the Cathedral Bell Tower in Spain. It is a distinctive landmark known for the Latin heritage and located at the heart of Miami. Miami holds a brief history for the present diverse community and the landscape that made Miami one of the most attractive locations in the world!
Chicken Key as Text
Beyond the Deering Estate, lies the golden key!
By Mohan Yatham Of FIU, Reflection of Chicken Key 14 October 2020
Who would say no to canoeing with the professor and classmates for an honors class at FIU? No one!! Although I missed the chicken key visit, from the photos shared by Professor Bailly and my classmates, it was by far the most entertaining educational trip that served a change in the community. From what I have heard from my classmates and my research on sights of the chicken key, it was the most memorable trip that contributed to a bigger purpose. When I first visited the Deering estate, I can feel the blue ocean’s calmness with breathtaking views all around. I believe that cleaning up the trash that potentially harms many fish and sea life around the keys and mangroves is an interminable initiation towards change for the better good.
From what I have heard from my friends, by looking deep inside the island, there was a lot of trash, including big plastic items, caps, and even masks made their way to the small island. The students were paired up when canoeing to the chicken key. Nevertheless, having missed the trip, it only makes me want to visit the Deering estate more often and presumably have a trip with friends to visit the chicken key island to have a closer experience and be part of a positive initiation!
Bake House as Text
Coral Reef in Art!
By Mohan Yatham Of FIU, Reflection of Bake House 25 October 2020
This week was yet another community project representing the combination of science and art to illustrate the importance of coral life in our oceans! I had a fantastic experience working with clay for the first time. Coral reefs in our seas are dying, and it is a rapidly increasing problem that can vastly affect our near future. This project involves the representation of the degradation of corals in our ocean displayed in a clay structure. Instead of the traditional clay structure methods, this project is purposefully designed to show coral overtime progression. Coral reefs are the heart of the ocean that serves as a shelter for various species and helps prevent storms and erosions. This project aims to show the corals’ actual degradation in the sea to bring awareness to the community in art form! Over time, the coral molds would dry off and fall, showing how we are losing coral.
As a first timer for working with clay, I was amused to observe and apply the process of building clay structures. I used multiple colors of clay to create exciting designs from different molds. This class will be in my memories forever and a great experience to reflect on in the future. I am fortunate to be involved in this project with my peers and talented artists who dedicate a lot of time and effort.
Rubell Museum as Text
Expression of Society through Art!
By Mohan Yatham Of FIU, Reflection of Rubell Museum 18 November 2020
One quote that evokes in my mind after this week’s class at the Rubell museum is that “art speaks where words are unable to explain.” The impact that art has on our society is inarticulate, and I witnessed that in our class this week. Rubell museum displays contemporary artwork from some of the most famous artists worldwide, including artists from Miami! My favorite piece of art in the Rubell Museum is the Infinity mirrored room created by artist Yayoi Kusama. I felt privileged to have experienced the mirrored room through exclusive access to the infinity mirrored room. Many of modern culture was represented in some of the artifacts throughout the museum.
What fascinated me the most is that some of the visual representations presented at the museum may not be shown at universities. Since the Rubell museum is privately operated, we have the opportunity and freedom to express art and its underlying message to society. I grew up not knowing the importance of art. It was fascinating to see the giant portrait that was created by the same artist as the portrait of President Barack Obama. Many of the artworks showed the slavery, transgender, cultural revelations that throughout our history. Having been to the museum located here in Miami, my perspective has completely changed, and I genuinely appreciate the art and respect the artists that prepare crafts that represent stories!
Miami in Miami 