On the Winding Ibiza Roads

MEMORY: “Here’s Bicep with ‘Apricots,” the DJ said on the radio with his swaggy Balearic tone. We were driving to yet another place across Ibiza’s narrow streets, winding through woods, ravines, and endless turns. This Mini Cooper was testing my skills – I hadn’t driven a stick shift since I lived in Indiana back in 2004. It played tricks on me, especially when I had to brake sharply or climb the steep multi-level parking lot. And usually, I was driving with three other crazy heads, so the fun never ended, and I had limited time to focus on the actual driving. This is how much automatic transmission and wide American roads had spoiled me. But I loved this nimble little car that could squeeze through the narrowest downtown streets, even when the roads were blocked. We took the right turn coming back from the Baluard de Sant Bernat fortifications and found ourselves driving behind a couple on a Vespa-like bike. Suddenly, I heard “Get closer! Even closer!” It was Iwona with her long-ass lens trying to capture the moment. I pushed this little Cooper to the limit, closing the distance, and the outcome was so idyllic – the purest form of freedom. Looking back, moments like these make me excited about detours and squeezing through the narrow spaces instead of always taking the safe, wide route. It’s messy and unpredictable and absolutely worth it.