Keen for more

Looks like after those almost 24 km I rode yesterday, I was still hot… meaning, keen for more. 😁 Ah, you can look up the meaning of the Nine of Cups in tarot online.

I snapped a few moments in photos and videos, but others I saw on the way back home stayed only in my head. No chance to get them on camera. Some tied in with other events too… well, maybe it’s just me, always joining the dots.

_{Park at H and 21 in the Vedado neighbourhood of Havana.}

I popped over as there was a get‑together between the Maniweros and Babujal projects. _INVITATION.

After saying hi to three Maniweros I luckily knew (the project leader, his dog Limón, and the photographer), I spotted someone selling sweets there—they looked so tasty. The chocolate really grabbed me, and that tiny treat reminded me of a fruit… like a strawberry… And I was in need of a quick energy boost.

Check the photo above… they’re in the white box, right in front of the girl sitting across from it.

A bit further down I noticed another box, which looked like it was meant for rubbish. If you zoom in on the photo, it reads Royal Carlston. I walked over to drop the bit of paper the sweet had been on, and then I saw this 👇

_{3:01 pm}

A book! I thought—and it looked really old… I was thinking, ‘If I bend down and stick my hand in there, all these people who don’t know me will think I’m rummaging through the rubbish.’ So I stretched out my foot, got a cramp 😂, and with the tip of my shoe managed to open the book, and the page that showed up was this one:

Universe, honestly, you’ve got to keep chatting to me all the time hahaha… no, don’t take it the wrong way. Please keep it up, I don’t mind at all. It’s just that surprises are so surprising they throw me off, like now as I’m writing this line. There’s even a paragraph highlighted there…

Funny thing is, all the way to the park I’d been thinking about stuff connected to the message in that book, apparently titled The Philosophy of Love.

It talks about unions that end up empty over time because their foundation wasn’t really the right one. And it mentions reasons why some people feel drained of energy to enjoy life’s other pleasures, and short of imagination to turn marriage into something spiritually uplifting. (I’m just paraphrasing what’s written there.) Spanish speakers can check the details by zooming in on the photo.

Later on I ended up chatting with some lads and girls from the Babujal project, which is like a gathering spot for all sorts of esoteric practices and beliefs.

I don’t have many more details right now, except that they’re really sensitive people who enjoy spending nice moments together. Then another Maniwero I know, Rafa, showed up; we had a quick chat and joined the activities Babujal had set up, starting with holding hands in a circle and introducing ourselves. The last activity was biodanza (the dance of life)… I didn’t join in, but just being there and watching gave me such good vibes.

I left thinking about how many lovely people are out there trying to figure out life’s mysteries. So many different paths to take… but for me, intuition is the real compass.

I headed to the Malecón to meet up with the Critical Mass riders, a group cycle that happens every first Sunday of the month, promoted by Citykleta.

But then I saw the sky turning that grey that means drizzle… I don’t mind the rain, but I hadn’t packed my bike lights, and if I joined in, night would probably catch me. So I left it for next month. I’ve been trying to join for ages, and when it’s not one thing, it’s another. Hahaha… but the Universe knows. So I went back home.

On the way back, the sea was on my right, and as I turned by the curve near the 1830 cultural centre, close to the fishing base, I saw followers of the Yoruba religion dancing and singing by the sea, drumming away. There were about 20 people, as far as I could tell. And a policeman was also there, watching what looked like a ritual party.

Funny that I came across this scene right after hanging out with the Babujal crew, isn’t it? That’s why I’m here telling the story and leaving these little reflections that cross my mind.

I was left wanting to keep exploring on my bike, like I said at the start. And today I was already messaging my friend Muhammad to plan a ride to a nearby town, beat my longest distance yet on my Bianchi, and enjoy a good time in a spot where I’ll surely take loads of photos of birds, village life, and just… life itself. Life is so rich in all its shades, and we’re here to live it the best way we can, riding its paths with lightness and joy.