Coffee and reading at the Moka House

Yesterday it had been raining all day. I loved it. The more it pours, the more it speaks like a permission slip to stay in bed all day, and that I did. And as much as I so loved rotting all day in bed, I do welcome the sun peaking out the coming day. It lures to me step outside and feel its warm embrace, like a bear that has been hibernating. I take a refreshing step out and hop on my bike. I had been reading Aldous Huxley’s Island yesterday, and it just started picking up some energy from me. I take this as an opportunity to read at a café, something I had been wanting to do. Sometimes you just have a particular experience itch you need to scratch. I am halfway through Aldous Huxley’s Island. It’s been a difficult read quite honestly.

I arrive at the Moka House. I order a gorgeous flat white. Very strong espresso.

I enjoy my book outside, though there are lots of scenes happening around me that capture my attention more often. I have a personal moment with the dog across from me. I pet him enough for him to move from his afar spot to lay down beside me. I’m incredibly touched and flattered. It’s moments like these that make your whole morning and your trip to the cafe worthwhile.

I leave the Moka House. I see a busker who had just set up his station beside a tree in front of the café. He is tuning his guitar, and his voice, lullabying gently into the mic as he riffs ever so subtly. I love to see it. How he decides to spend his Sunday morning is having the courage to share his voice outside, as a one man show. It’s always an inspiring image.

Changing course from the car show to bike-wandering

I had originally planned to see a car show at a mall if I had nothing planned that day. It’s a beautiful sunny day so I decide that it’ll be more worthwhile to take advantage of this weather while we still get glimpses of it.

I pick a random lake—Thetis Lake—on Google maps and start my bike trail. Once I near the destination I turn the GPS off. It’s time to wander and get lost, let the wind take me wherever it wants. I realize I am on the left breast of Victoria, an area I often end up spontaneously, unplanned, with which I fall in love every time.

My bike follows a bridge. Under it are these amazing little waterfalls. I love seeing these surprises. Again, you are reminded how much more beautiful it is to stumble upon than to arrive at such gems. Though smaller, they somehow appear more magnificently, more impressionable on the mind than the gargantuan landmark ones you track down to visit. I feel this way with the falls in front of me over the Englishman River Falls I had once driven to.

I take a few photos and lock my phone. As soon as I put my phone away, a beautiful yellow maple leaf falls, swaying elegantly from side to side, you can almost see Disney sparkles around it, you can almost hear a whimsical jingle as it waltzes downwards. And isn’t it obvious that these moments should happen as soon as you put your phone away? Sometimes such scenes are simply for your shutters alone. Another wink from God that is only made for me to witness.