“Run, Girl, Run“

Today, I arrived late at my ceramic workshop and found it closed. So, I headed to the farmers' market to pick up some fresh vegetables for my belly's happiness this week, dropped them off at home, and then went to my favourite café.

While I was still feeling the awkwardness of one situation, I thought I'd share this amusing experience. At my favourite café, I encountered a very handsome man who made me feel uncomfortable.

Here’s how it started: all the seats were taken, only 2 left (I marked A and B in this photo), both were at this corner spot, one was right under some clothes the café was selling, another one was next to this handsome guy, so I asked if I could sit next to him, and as soon as I did, another man whos sitting next to the seat below the clothes, seeing that I wanted to sit in this cramped corner, got up and left.

The handsome man smiled and said, “You kicked him out.”

“He made his own choice.”

He then mentioned that there were two more comfortable seats, but I had chosen this wooden one.

I explained, “I don’t like having clothes hanging over my head.”

He said, “Interesting, I wouldn’t mind.”

I shrugged, “I like this wooden chair.”

(Truth be told, I don’t even know why I said that. I hadn’t considered so much over seating options; I just sat down.)

Out of the blue, he asked, “Do you like life to be a bit harder? Since you chose the harder chair than the comfy one”

“Maybe.”

He then asked if I knew about Shibari,

“Not much, I attended a workshop last week tho.”

“Oh, I give workshops on Shibari.”

“Oh, interesting.”

As I understand it, Shibari, also known as Japanese rope bondage, is an art form that blends trust, sensation, and aesthetics. It involves intricate rope ties that create a unique sensory experience and foster a deep sense of connection between the rigger and the person being tied. The practice explores themes of power dynamics and surrender, allowing participants to experience a profound sense of vulnerability and liberation. Beyond its physical aspects, Shibari is appreciated for its visual artistry, with each tie contributing to a striking and expressive design. Many people are drawn to Shibari for its ability to enhance intimacy, explore personal boundaries, and provide a form of creative and emotional expression.

I’ve always been curious about Shibari, so I reached out to a trusted friend in Buenos Aires who has experience in this area. She recommended a workshop, which I attended. The workshop was more theoretical, with little practical part focusing on some basic knotting techniques. I found it quite interesting, though my understanding remains quite superficial and limited.

Although my knowledge is still limited, this exploration has shown me that Shibari is not just a technical skill but an art form that combines physical connection with emotional and psychological depth. It creates an opportunity to enhance intimacy and personal expression, balancing control and freedom in a meaningful way.

At this point, I started focusing on my laptop, and he asked, “What are you working on?”

I said, “Writing.”

He followed up, “For yourself?”

“Yes.”

“The best way to get to know yourself.”

“Yeah.”

I don’t know why, somehow I felt his strange energy, like my gut was telling me, “This guy doesn’t feel right.” Just then, I noticed another empty seat and said, “Ciao, I’m going to sit over there.”

He was intimidatingly handsome, but for some reason, I just didn't feel comfortable around him. It wasn't the topic of Shibari; it was more about his energy not matching mine. My body seemed to sense something was off—I was sweating while talking to him. Looking back, I realize how awkward I must have appeared and can't help but laugh at myself. But I'm proud that I listened to my gut: "Run, girl, run!"

Haha, I told my close friends about the experience, and they joked that he might be a potential sociopath. Oops.

Buen Finde！