Grid of time and events...
Everything is definitely connected. We live in a… let’s say… grid of time and events, as if it were a game of levels we must unlock. I say this, and I can already see you raising a sceptical eyebrow — but listen closely. What follows will prove it.
Villalón Park, D Street, Vedado district, Havana, Cuba.
I hadn’t planned on coming here. It wasn’t part of any plan at all — but I can tell you that when I woke up yesterday, I felt strange. A kind of infinite sadness was devouring me from head to toe. Maybe it was because of the news… the news that, amid all the paperwork I’ve been navigating to trace my Spanish great-great-grandfather, I was told I’d also need a document — a certificate from - Kyiv, Ukraine, the city where I was born — confirming or denying that I’m registered there. Of course, this means more bureaucracy, more steps. Going to the Embassy, securing an appointment with the Consul, bringing documents so they can begin a search, and so on… as if everything I’m already doing weren’t enough. I honestly think I’m running out of time. You see, I have until the start of October to put my whole case together.
The shadows had taken hold of me. Yet by the time I arrived at the park, that feeling was no longer there. Without even thinking, I had already made it here — and by then, I’d followed a few paths that, in some way, left me feeling at ease. The plan I’d mapped out was as follows:
- Go to the Embassy of Ukraine to ask how I should proceed in order to obtain that birth certificate.
- Continue on to the Territorial Office of the Telecommunications Company to file a complaint during the public service hours held on Fridays.
- Schedule an appointment at an international consultancy to legalise documents.
Naturally, I did the entire journey by bicycle… 27 kilometres in total, a little over two hours riding at an average speed of 14 or 15 km/h. Bear in mind I’m in a city full of traffic and traffic lights — many of which weren’t even working due to power outages. Sometimes there’d be a traffic officer directing things, and other times… nothing. Pure chaos.
Seeing the girl in the park — she felt like a sign of success to me. Do you see that ribbon around her? Even I could hardly believe it. Haha… Well, although everything is still up in the air, at least I have more clarity now. I know which documents I have to bring to the embassy on the 10th to request the search. I filed the complaint directly with an employee from the Marianao Office who happened to be there at the time, and she explained again that there’s no drop cable — but that my case is on a priority list for when it arrives. I believed her, with a great deal of faith, even if it’s not true. And as for the appointment to legalise documents… I was told I have to be there at six in the morning on Monday when they’ll be giving them out.
The most important thing I did when I left the house that morning was to tell myself, over and over again: don’t let it defeat you! And so, in tears, with a sorrow that pressed against my chest, I pedalled on — and little by little, things began to shift, taking on a different hue as I unlocked each new level.

Seated in this park, right beside the Amadeo Roldán Auditorium Theatre, I laughed and breathed a sigh of relief… but I also voiced a quiet longing from my heart — to see this place restored to its former splendour and brought back to life, just as I once knew it.

I used to frequent this place on weekends, and more than once I shed tears of emotion there, while nurturing my passion for music.
I pointed my camera in that direction to capture the details of that building — one that seems cursed, for it has already fallen prey to the flames once before. No — correction, it’s happened twice now. The first time was in 1977, and according to historical sources, it was the result of sabotage that left the building in ruins and closed for decades… More recently, this March, another fire was reported — swiftly extinguished by the fire brigade, but it rekindled the debate about the neglect of the country’s cultural heritage. The Amadeo Roldán Auditorium Theatre is a sorrowful melody in Havana today… I thought, as I leafed through some magazines. It’s been in this state for so long that I can no longer say when it closed its doors.
Reading the name Georg Friedrich Händel triggered, in my mind, the voice of Farinelli from the well-known film about the life of this castrato. I was once again moved to tears — just as I was that very first time I heard Lascia ch’io pianga. And so I opened the YouTube app to watch the video once more.
YouTube
😭
Lascia ch’io pianga” — which translates as “Let me weep” — is a deeply emotive aria from the opera Rinaldo (1711) by Georg Friedrich Händel. It is sung by the character Almirena, a young woman who has been abducted and is held captive in an enchanted garden. In this scene, she gives voice to her sorrow and longing for freedom. Wikipedia
I won’t include the lyrics’ translation here… it’s quite simple and can be found in the Wikipedia link I shared, as well as on many other websites.
In case you’re not familiar with it, Farinelli: Il Castrato is a historical drama film that premiered in 1994. To recreate the unique timbre of a castrato, the voices of a countertenor (Derek Lee Ragin) and a soprano (Ewa Mallas-Godlewska) were digitally combined.
SynopsisFarinelli, is the artistic name of Carlo Broschi, a young singer in Handel's time. He was castrated in his childhood in order to preserve his voice. During his life he becomes to be a very famous opera singer, managed by his mediocre brother (Riccardo).
Filmaffinity
Returning to the theme of this post — the grids of events and of time itself… I don’t know if you see it, perhaps you think I’m making it up, but I was asleep and found myself thinking once again of Händel and Farinelli. I told myself I had to write, because this melody won’t leave my head. Though now, I do feel a bit better…

So I leave you now with more images capturing details of the theatre — photos I took just before buying two small bunches of basil, which I brought home and placed in water so they could take root, and later be planted.
The vendor handed them to me fresh, wrapped in newspaper, and I placed them atop my backpack, neatly secured with one of those plastic ties. Cycling home with the scent of basil in the air was exquisite, and you know to some extent, I always feel free on two wheels.
Original content by @nanixxx. All rights reserved ©, 2025.
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Hey @nanixxx you are welcome.
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Good evening @nanixx. I believe you because I have lived it. To level up you have to follow the light.
I think wishing you happy dreams is now the right thing to do. 🤗
😌 Thank you. I really need to get some rest.
🤗
Descansa. 👋
Hmmm, I didnt know you was born in Kiev 🙃
I hate the Bureacracy thing with a wild hatrid.
Very clearly! I suppose the figure is located not on the ground but on top of the building? nice touch of the time, indeed.
!PIZZA
Yes, I was born there during the Soviet era, and my parents are Cuban. Although they married there and I was born there too, I’m Cuban.
What I pointed out on the sculpture is a bicycle tyre that some cyclist must have left there. It was placed like a victory wreath — haha... You can see it in the photo I took on my phone, the one further down with the sculpture in the park. Zoom in a bit and you’ll spot it.
;)
Thank you!
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@qwerrie(1/5) tipped @nanixxx
Come get MOONed!
I felt like you twice with regard to my paperwork to apply for Spanish nationality, once when I was just starting out and had to wait five years to become Spanish... the papers didn't arrive, that's a story from another world, how they arrived and the sign from the universe. The other time was when I was here and the difficulties at the beginning, I was alone, I cried non-stop, but everything worked out. Keep going!!!
Are you Ukrainian?
Hello,
I’m simply trying to get it into my head not to stress so much about all this, even though finding my great-great-grandfather’s documents might mean my freedom…
Right now, I feel that if something is meant for me by divine right, it will come my way without such struggle. And if not, then it simply isn’t and I have to accept that.
I’ll keep taking steps, and each time an idea comes to mind on how to move forward, I’ll act on it. I won’t let a single day go by without doing something in pursuit of what I’m seeking — so that, in the end, even if it doesn’t work out, at least I’ll be able to say I gave it my all.
I’m Cuban. I was born there when Kyiv was Soviet. Although I was born there and my parents were married there, I cannot obtain citizenship by birth.
Be careful... often the right path is not the one that comes easily... the chosen ones are warriors, remember that.
You are already free in your mind, so you will be free physically.
I believe that if you could see me… you’d realise how much of a warrior I am. I don’t understand why everything in my life has to come with so much pain… Maybe it’s something wrong with the way I’m wired. I don’t even know anymore. I’m simply on the verge of going on strike with the Universe — just sitting down and waiting… I’m utterly exhausted. Sometimes I feel I’m teetering on the edge of madness with everything I’m going through.
I don't need to see you, I know. Keep going, never give up, never! But it's good to take a break every now and then... it's called a warrior's rest.
👌 Gracias Avecilla.
Nadie dijo que la vida es color de rosas.... hay que aprender a bailar bajo la lluvia.
What a pity that this beautiful building is left to its fate... But it has its charm and music, a lot of music coming out from its walls. Lascia ch’io pianga is indeed one of the nicest arias from Handel, I played it with several different singers over the years, the last time with the choir. Today we have a concert, but this aria is not on the program but other pieces.
I hope you continue unlocking the next levels of bureaucracy games; they are not easy at all and are very challenging.
Yes, it’s truly a shame that the place is in such a state and can’t be restored. The situation we’ve been living in this country for so many years now is painful on so many levels... Sometimes, I simply don’t know where to look...
Speaking of loftier matters… haha… less earthly ones, what a stunning piece this is by Handel! Every time I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes. I don’t know, it has something... something very baroque, light yet sombre at the same time. I don’t know if you understand what I mean, or if it’s just me, swept up in so many feelings... In any case, it must be a beautiful thing to watch you play it on the piano. I do hope that one day I can be there in person, among the audience, to see you perform.
I hope you’re already enjoying (or about to enjoy) that concert you have today with the choir. Applause from me already!
Thank you, mipiano.🙂
El detalle del teatro que guarda tu emoción por la música, y la albahaca con su aroma sanador, todo esto parece alinearse como pequeños milagros cotidianos. Pero lo más valioso es que no dejaste que el desánimo te venciera. Eso requiere una fuerza enorme. Muy bien por ti.
Gracias por compartir este pedacito de tu alma, por transformar un día complicado en un relato tan lleno de humanidad y poesía. Saludos. Cuídate.👋
¿Qué te puedo decir...? Pienso en tantas cosas... Quizás quise encontrarle un significado a la escultura semidesnuda, renaciendo, con un trofeo dejado por un ciclista (esa goma gastada que ves allí rodeándola)... y até los minutos y las horas con cada evento. Por ejemplo, en la Oficina esa donde tenía que formalizar la queja, "casualmente" en el recibidor estaba sentada una trabajadora de la Oficina de Marianao que enseguida vino a escucharme y se mostró muy interesada, aunque insistió en que me habían informado mal y que no era allí a donde debí ir. Llamó por teléfono al director de la empresa delante de mí. Cada minuto que pedaleé se ajustaba para que sucedieran cosas a mi favor. O eso quiero creer. El tiempo previo que estuve conversando con la funcionaria de la embajada, quien me estaba dando los detalles de los documentos que debía llevar la próxima vez que volviera, se ajustó perfectamente para que yo encontrara a esa otra persona y al menos, me viera, supiera de mi caso, se formara cierto revuelo... ¿entiendes? Podía no haber encontrado a nadie allí, ¿verdad? Y luego lo de la cita para legalizar... pues ya sé que el lunes la obtendré. Me habían dicho que era complicadísimo. Y ya ves que es solo estar temprano allí.
Un día normal... sí. Siempre trato de estar atenta o es que estoy muy metida en mi mundo de fantasía. 😃
Gracias por pasar y por este @topcomment. Un saludo. Me cuidaré.
Tienes una personalidad peculiar e increíble. Me encanta.😊
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Gracias.😊
Amanda don't suffer, you are on the right path, doing what you must and can. Bureaucracy is an octopus with a thousand arms, it is not only here, it is everywhere. Only people who never do paperwork don't despair of the process. It is nothing personal, you are not the one with the problem, it is the procedure. And you have to draw strength from the bottom of your soul not to falter, there is still a long way to go, but it is worth it. Life is with pain, because pain strengthens us and teaches us. Do not give up or get discouraged. ¡¡¡Empínate, que hay mucho machete por dar todavía!!! Un abrazo 🤗.
Yes, the machete strengthens too hahaha... thanks ;)
Aún abandonado, ¡qué bello ese teatro! Vi esa película hace años, impactante... Ojalá puedas terminar tu papeleo con éxito :)
Así es. Hermoso a pesar de que está en ruinas y también hermosos recuerdos que atesoro cada vez que iba a los conciertos que allí tenían lugar.
Gracias 😀 - ¡ojalá!
😉 ✨
You'll make it, you'll see that you can do it, perseverance leads to success, and I'm here to support and help you. Bella. 😘
😊 Sí Mamani, hay que mantenerse firme pese a todo. Un besito.
Uy @nanixxx tremenda tarea que estas enfrentando, una tarea contra reloj y de la mano de la burocracia, te deseo éxitos amiga!!! El Amadeo da tristeza verlo, como mucahs cosas más, abrazos 🤗