Memories of an amusement park

_{Miramar, Havana. May 2025.}

What does it matter that the former Coney Island, which became Coconut Island (La Isla del Coco), is no longer one thing or the other?

Now, it is a graveyard of forgotten mirth, a junk heap where silence is exquisite.

El Mirador Ice Cream Parlour.

Anyone might say that this amusement park, like its Brooklyn inspiration, has safeguarded laughter, euphoria, and even tears since its founding in 1918. Anyone who gazes upon it through the lens of nostalgia might say so. Anyone who has truly lived it.

But I have not lived it, just as I have not lived many other things. Now, I am a traveler who collects silences.

I visited Coney Island back in college. The only thing I remember from that day is getting on a spinning contraption called the Cosmonaut—and having an absolutely terrible time. 😄 But hey, that’s just me. People loved that thing. The adrenaline was palpable.

I didn’t come here to criticize or dwell on neglect. On the contrary, I came to speak of beauty.

It is not difficult to see that for a person like me this is poetry.

Will they transform it into a better amusement park? Will they restore its former splendor? I don't know. I asked myself those questions while I was there, but I can't deny that I was captivated by the light and the magic—the kind that lingers even in things long past their prime.

It was all ours.

My friend and I were the only ones there, except for a man who seemed to be a caretaker. He stayed the whole time in a big house inside the park, near the sea.

😃... the sea!

How can the sky change like that in a few minutes?
Don't you find it irresistible?

We were able to witness these two moments... while I continued to find poetry among what was left behind.

I have ridden these crazy trolleys in Lenin Park many years ago as well.

Elpidio Valdés almost challenged me with his smile. But I laughed with joy and let myself be touched by the magic of the sunset.

I can say that this was the best visit to Coney Island (I never got used to calling it Coconut Island) and this little frog was also very happy looking at the moon.

Don't envy my achievements without knowing my sacrifices.

If you don't like me, take a turn, have a seat and wait for me to care.

If you envy what I have, do what I do, work.

Touch your partner more and your computer less.

If your ex tells you "you'll never find anyone like me", tell him/her: that's the idea!

Speak softly and if you can, don't speak at all.

Smile, even if you don't know it, there is always a reason.

😳