"Every day, we cross paths with new faces, and while most interactions are fleeting, some leave a lasting impression. Mark’s story, in particular, has come to represent something bigger for me. He symbolizes core themes that keep emerging on my journey—kindness, love, understanding, shared wisdom, and the essence of Ubuntu. I think of people like him as angels—guiding figures who bring clarity and meaning to the road ahead. Mark was the first of many, each gifting me with something different."
The road to Gansbaai started off like any other day— throw some food down, squeeze into my sexy lycra and hit the road. I wasn’t anticipating anything unusual or profound, just focused on my destination. But what I’ve learned on this journey is that the most unexpected moments can turn into the most remarkable ones, and sometimes, the universe sends you an angel when you don’t know you need one.
After hours of pedaling, I rolled into Gansbaai, a tiny town famous for its great white sharks, but I wasn’t searching for sharks, hahah. I was simply looking for a place to dos. I wandered down the main street and some people waved from a little antique store, that also served coffee. Noted. I picked up supplies and made my way over, ordered a coffee and that’s when I met Mark.
At first glance, he seemed like any other man. A friendly stranger striking up a conversation. But there was something about his presence, something quiet yet deeply magnetic. His eyes held depths of experience, a kind of wisdom that spoke without words. The more we talked, the more I realized this wasn’t just a random encounter—this was something more.
Mark wasn’t just a man. He was the first angel on my journey.
As he shared his story, it was as if each word was laced with a message I needed to hear. He spoke of his time living in Cape Town (my home), his journey into Rastafarianism that took him all the way to Ethiopia, and his eventual descent into street fighting and jail. It wasn’t the details of his story that struck me; it was the sense of purpose behind his words, like he was sent to remind me of something. Like me, Mark was searching for something deeper, something beyond the surface of everyday life.
Angels don’t always appear with wings or halos. Sometimes, they’re dressed up as regular people. As I listened to Mark, I realized that he was a mirror, reflecting parts of my own journey back at me. His battles with meaning, understanding, and the need to let go were echoes of my own journey.
As our conversation unfolded, something unexpected happened. After pouring his heart out, Mark reached into his wallet and handed me R400—no questions, no hesitation. “I would like to give you this for a place to stay tonight,” he said. It wasn’t just money; it was a blessing. The gesture, so simple yet so profound, hit me deeply.
Before I left, Mark told me about a campsite down the road, and as I raced to get there before it closed, I saw him again—waiting at the gate in his car, making sure I was safe. That image of him, watching over me, felt like more than just a kind stranger. It felt like a guardian angel watching over me. A little cosmic nudge to trust the process.
That night, as the rain battered down around me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Mark had left on me. He truly was an angel—a guiding force sent to remind me I am on the right path. This journey isn’t just about the miles or the destinations; it’s about learning to decipher the omens on the road and listening to the universe when it speaks.
Mark’s story made me reflect on my own. What am I really chasing? He had searched for meaning in Rastafarianism, only to let it go when it no longer served him. In a way, that’s what this journey is teaching me—to let go of control, to stop trying to force the answers, and to trust that the path is unfolding exactly as it should.
As I continue this ride, I carry Mark’s gift with me—not the R400, I’ve already chowed that down, but the deeper understanding that we are always being watched over, always being guided. Mark’s presence was a reminder that this journey, though physically demanding and often solitary, is filled with unseen forces working in my favour. The universe has a plan, and sometimes, it sends angels to remind us of that—just like it did for me in Gansbaai.
That moment introduced me to the real magic of this ride. Listening to the universe and trusting that I’m being guided every step of the way—sometimes by the road, and sometimes by an angel named Mark.
Get Out There and Get Moving
Luv the spirit Adam, but luv u more💗
What a profound experience dude. There truly is magic everywhere and I love the way you capture it. Keep the blogs rolling, your legs spinning and your eyes open!