Riding a Bike While Wearing White

It's not easy riding a bike (in this case, one of those 4-wheel "quad bikes") while wearing a white skirt. In my case, I was wearing a white skirt over a white slip over white pants over white pantyhose, plus white shoes, a white sweatshirt (over a white undershirt), a white lacy shawl and a white baseball cap (over a small white headscarf). And of course I was wearing my Elekes and Ide (sacred beaded necklaces and bracelet).

E and his young son and I went for a bike/carriage ride at the Bill Baggs Cape National Park in Key Biscayne today. I loved being outside and enjoying this time with two people I love very much. Both are also Santeros, and sons of Obatala. The park has a paved path that divides the edge of the forest from the rocky seawall of Biscayne Bay, where anglers stand in wait for bites by mangrove snappers or flounder.

In the middle of our ride, we disembarked because E wanted to pick up some shells for one of his arts projects. Tiny shells litter the floor of the forest, a reminder of the proximity of these trees to the water. I relished being in the forest, and I know Ochosi did, too. Instead of hunting shells, I hunted with my camera.

The toughest part of riding the bike was making sure that the wheels of the carriage didn't "eat" my skirt, and I managed just fine.

E was more aware of the stares than I was: I think the unwanted attention was the toughest part for him. At this point, I really don't care. It's taken a short while to become accustomed to the stares, but I'm not letting them get to me.

The more I am a Iyawo, the more I discover my ability and courage to be different. I would so much rather be true to myself and my faith than let my life be dictated by the anxieties and intolerance of others.