Because I don't have much time, this will be a scatter-brained, un-proofread post. :)
Something I like about Hawaii:
Something I like about Hawaii:
It is completely socially accepted to go without a bra. Seriously, the only women I’ve seen wearing bras are tourists. Everyone else goes au naturale or wears a bikini top underneath their dress/tank top. It’s so freeing. Though when I come back in January, I’m going to have to invest in some more swim suit cover-ups—the girls here live in them. Church, shopping, around the house, wherever. Also cute sundresses, shorts, and tank tops… I’ll be going on a shopping spree this November/December!
First on the list, of course, are the Cane Spiders. I told my friends at Bible Study last night how terrified I was of them, and they asked, “Have you been chased by one yet? Has one jumped off the wall at you? Have you woken up with one in your bed?” I said no… they laughed at me and said I haven’t truly experienced Cane Spiders, then. Blegh. My employer (therapist?) suggested that the next time we see one in the house, we try “tap therapy.” This consists of touching a spider lightly on its back to release fear in two phases: phase one is while the spider is still, phase two is while the spider is moving. I don’t see myself trying that anytime soon.
Like:
The weather. It’s perfect. Not too hot… beautiful and sunny and warm… trade winds instead of air conditioning.
The time difference between here and home.
The lack of fat people (barring tourists.) That sounds mean, but I have nothing against fat people—this point in my list is just to explain that everyone here takes really good care of their bodies. Most people I’ve met are obsessed with eating organic, natural foods… hiking… kayaking… yoga… surfing… etc. People who really tap into the beauty of Hawaii engage in lifestyles that pay high concern to physical and spiritual health.
Being water-locked. I try not to think about tidal waves and hurricanes and floods (water-related natural disasters terrify me), so it’s not that aspect of it that bothers me so much… it’s the fact that I can’t drive for hours and hours and hours without retracing my path. I love road trips and exploring new cities... but there aren’t many man-made wonders to discover, here. I wholly appreciate the natural beauty—but I also love the city. Visiting NYC just before moving here reminded me of how much I enjoy the hustle-and-bustle of city life and the feeling of being alone in a crowd (one of my favorite feelings.) I’ve been thinking this last week or so about moving here to Kauai—actually moving here, permanently. Getting my own apartment, becoming more deeply involved with the church, buying a kayak or surfboard. It would be wonderful to make a life for myself here, but it just seems much too… easy. There really is nothing challenging about living here. I think I need to fulfill my big-city craving before holing up on a remote island. In any case, I’m jonesing for some serious travel… so I definitely want to hit up Europe within the next couple of years... maybe an African Safari, as well. But for now, to fulfill my spatial needs, I’m definitely hoping for short road trip on the mainland when I come home!
Watching Lost at night. Yeah, it’s not really something I love about Hawaii… but it’s a part of my Hawaiian experience, so I’m including in the list. I usually manage to fit at least one episode in before bed… I just finished Season 2. I’m completely addicted. It’s because of my friends Jessamyn and Jeff that I’m watching the series… they gave high reviews and said that they were sad when they finished the series—it felt like they were saying goodbye to all their friends (the show’s characters.) I laughed at them… but now, I totally understand. There will be a big void in my fantasy world when I finish the series. I should go slower and make it last… watch only an episode or two per week… but I just can’t help devouring them.
The cost of living. Yeesh!
The spirituality. Granted, most of it is steeped in new-age mindsets and practices, but it’s a welcomed break from the mid-west culture, where everyone gruffly declares to believe in God and go to church once in a while just because that’s what the “good people” do. People here are so open-minded, and are in completely belief of an all-supreme, fearsome and loving higher power whom most call God. They speak of the land almost as reverently as the Na’vi do in the movie Avatar (though not quite that seriously.) It’s commonly thought that the Hawaiian mountains and oceans have a strong, healing energy similar to the vortexes in Sedona, Arizona or Roanoke (holla to my Dunesday crew!) I’m not going to collect crystals or subscribe to astrology, but I may incorporate some of the natives’ meditative practices into my prayer habits. They’re all missing the point of Jesus, of course, who is the crux of the Christian religion and is the only hope for deliverance from destruction and the meaninglessness of life… but really, so are a lot of the people who are trapped in the mid-west, where religion is just as taboo as one’s political beliefs. The thing I respect about Hawaiian culture is that everyone is so open to talking about spirituality and religion—it’s as common as Ohioans talking about sports.
Ants—they’re all over the house. I left toast crumbs on a plate in the sink for an afternoon, and that evening the entire double sink was swarming with tiny ants. My employer had the house exterminated not too long ago, so I’m not sure how they find their way in. Any opened food must be stored in the refrigerator. I find myself having to go to the grocery store sometimes twice a week, just because I can’t buy too much at once. Things like cereal and packaged crackers/chips take up a lot of room in the fridge.
The massive amounts of alone time. My employer just returned from a 2-week trip to the mainland, so I had the mansion all to myself for that time. (Didn’t want to mention that I was alone until after the fact.) In another life I was a complete hermit… or maybe I will be later in this life, if I never get married. But truthfully—I would be completely fine with that. It seems that most writers require massive amounts of solitude.
The massive amounts of alone time. In the last year or so, I’ve begun a quest to be more social… and living alone on an island where I barely know anyone doesn’t always make that easy. The reason for my quest is this: by nature, I’m a complete introvert and love to be alone. Even within my strongest relationships, I frequently desire space and emotional independence. This is the root of one of my biggest flaws, which is that I often come across as distant or aloof. Many of my relationships contain little emotional depth for this reason, and it’s something I’ve been compelled to work on. So as much as I do love being alone in this beautiful mansion, it is refreshing to get out and forge connections with people—it keeps my mind alert and well-balanced. I usually have to force myself to interact with others… and when I go a few days without social interaction, I start to forget little things like how to make eye contact or small talk… so even just having my employer home to interact with makes a difference in my mental posture.
The legends. The legend of the Night Marchers is one that even most Christians believe, here. They are said to be ghosts that march to the beat of primitive drums; some are vengeful warriors. So far, literally everyone I’ve talked to about them either claims to have seen them personally or know someone who has. It’s interesting just to hear the language people use to describe them. They don’t speak of them as mystical, ancient legends or as “possibly” existing… they speak about Night Marchers like they speak about cockroaches or spiders—something they’re fearful of and hate to encounter, but something that’s just a part of life in Hawaii that has to be dealt with. No one I’ve met, not even Christians, question the existence of the Night Marchers or are even apologetic of how “out there” their beliefs sound. The debates I’ve heard between natives don’t consist of whether or not they really exist, but of where they’re encountered the most often and of whether or not they have the power to actually harm you. Even the other legends I’ve heard aren’t told to me in terms like, “It’s been said that,” or “as the story goes,” but as historical facts.
*
Quick update on my life the past couple days:
I’ve pretty much been working all day every day since the beginning of the week. The first two weeks I was here I worked like a maniac, and then while my employer was gone it was nice to have a more leisurely two weeks of working/playing when I wanted. It’s back to working like a maniac for the next few days—but that’s ok. :) The work I’m doing is more interesting than a lot of non-work… I plan to write a book about it in the near future. Maybe several books. It's that good.
Anyway, I picked up my employer at the airport on Tuesday and took him directly to a business dinner in Kapaa, which gave me a few hours to explore the little town while he was busy. Most of the shops closed between 6:00 and 7:00, but it was still charming to walk the touristy streets. I’m going to have to revisit during the day sometime—there are all sorts of cute shops, boutiques, bakeries, and small art galleries. I popped into one gallery just before they closed and had a nice chat with the owner and his wife. They publish a quarterly magazine detailing the history of Kauai; they gave me their card and told me to call if I’m ever looking for freelance assignments. Really, when am I not looking for freelance assignments? Perhaps when I return in January I’ll hook up with them for some projects.
I had dinner at the Olympic Café, which was recommended to me by the young couple I met on the plane. To splurge, I ordered the most expensive dish on the menu: Macadamia Papaya Ono. It was a mild white fish smothered in chopped macadamia nuts, cubed papaya, and thick, rich papaya sauce. Side dishes: creamy garlic mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli/carrots. It was delicious. The atmosphere was nice too. The restaurant wasn’t very busy, but it’s located on the second floor of a row of shops and is all open-air. I sat at a table over-looking the quaint street, and it was the perfect combination of ocean breeze and streetlights and wafting laughter from the other restaurant guests. I should have been lonely, but somehow, I wasn’t.
So that has been my life for the past few days. Now that my employer is home, I won’t have quite as much time for adventures and blogging, but I’ll make sure to squeeze in time for both now and then. :)
Oh, and a quick thanks to my parents, who sent me a big box of Halloween candy and random other non-perishables. We do celebrate Halloween on the island, but it’s not the same without fall leaves, cool weather, pumpkins, corn mazes, haunted houses, campfires… I’m getting nostalgic. I’ll be looking forward to coming home for the holidays—in less than a month! Love and miss you all. :)
2 comments:
Fascinating, really.
I thought it was your 'Dunesday' crew? Lack of proofreading or I am wrong?
Post a Comment