Mur

When I realized that I was missing out on the gay pride festivities in Denver on Sunday, I decided to gay it up in Pahoa. The dyke drink of the day was draft Bud, and the twink drink of the day was vodka Red Bull. I enjoyed both. I played a ton of gay-ass dance music while we shot pool. Not sure how the locals feel about Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, Cher and Katy Perry, but we had a great little dance party around the pool table. It was... fabulous. It was like being at Vinyl in the jungle. Ha ha.

Monday, Tuesday, Boring. Blah blah blah. I don't have much to write about this week. I haven't been sleeping very well. I wake up nearly every hour of the night, if not more often than that. Sometimes I'm cold, sometimes sweaty, sometimes stuck in an awful position or I have a numb limb. I just can't find that comfort zone to sleep well through the night. Which makes for awesome mornings. :)

I've been homesick, too. I know that's natural, but it still sucks. I feel like I'm in a funk. A sad, lonely, lazy funk. I miss my friends. A lot. I miss my city. Oh, Denver. How I miss your charms. Things like sidewalks, public transportation, bike lanes, cars that don't sound like they're going to explode any second, nightlife (however limited) and most of all the lack of mosquitos. I'm being eaten alive everyday. Booooo.

Ok now that that's all off my chest, I'm going to try to pep up! I'm in frickin' Hawaii, right? Ok, be happy; don't dwell; let go of anxiety. Ready, go.

I didn't do shit today

Thursday Schmursday.

It's frickin' hot. Everyone's favorite complaint.

I say, let's get sweaty! And dirty. Let's play in the mud and smell like animals. After that, let's sit around and do nothing all day. Later, we'll comment on how unbelievable it is that it's [insert hour here]:00. We'll make some food. We'll sit around some more, and then go to bed. And it will have been a great day!

Now you know how I spend my days when I'm not hitchhiking around.

Oh, I can't believe it's nearly five! Whatever will I make for dinner?



Random Fact:
There is a chicken here whose name is Barbara Bush.

Until I say so,

Aloha

I'll leave the swimming to the fish

Sunday I went back to Kehena, the hippie black-sand beach. Hitching was nothing less than entertaining, as one ride was from some trouble-making local boys, and another was from some tourists who had no idea where they were going, but were willing to take me past where they should've turned.

I had a great time relaxing on the beach with a few others from the hostel. After standing on the beach for some time with my feet in the water, I decided to venture farther in. I was invited by another swimmer into deep water, but politely declined, on the grounds that I was scared shitless. Nonetheless, I continued to creep closer to the waves.

In an instant, I was under the water, wondering: which way is up? Wasn't I just standing? Shouldn't my feet be touching some of those rough stones by now? Then, light. Air. Sounds. And then instantly under the water again. I wanted out. Now. I kicked and swam toward shore, which seemed by now so far away even though I hadn't drifted but forty feet from where I went in. I was coughing up salt. Bile. Felt crazed.

At last, my feet hit rocks, but I was not out yet. I kept kicking, and let myself wash upon shore, exhausted and defeated.

As I walked heavily toward my bag and clothing on shore, I thought only two words to myself. "Fuck that!" I knew that I made a mistake standing up to the big bad ocean, and felt ten times the anxiety I felt after snorkeling around the tide pools.

When we left the beach, we had to wait for hitches in the glaring sunlight.  After our ride, as we walked down the street to the hostel, I began to have tunnel vision. Usually this means I've got a migraine headache coming on pretty soon, so I began to prepare myself for the first one I've had in years. I started chugging water and had some caffeine. I stuffed my face full of food. I filled all of my water bottles and made my way to bed at about 6:30 Sunday evening.

Monday morning, I didn't feel any better. I had slept a fitful sleep the night before, which didn't help. I opted out of working and slept all day. I was back in bed by 7 Monday evening.

Tuesday morning, I still had that damned headache, but it was less pronounced than the night before. I was given a light cleaning shift and told I could take all day to do it. What a blessing. We had a pick-up in Pahoa, and so I rode along to buy groceries. Other than that, Tuesday had been a lazy day. I've been staying the heck out of the sun, because eff migraine headaches.

I've nearly finished Wicked, and am looking for another book. If you have any suggestions, I might be able to find some things at the small bookstore in town.

Pig Update: The pigs and I are living in peace and harmony. Except when they decide to sneak up on me from behind when it's dark out and I'm taking a pee. And then they stand there and won't move. Sad face. Or Nervous face.

Some people have asked, and so I'm going to post this address in case you feel so obliged to mail me something. :)

13-657 Hinalo St.

Pahoa, HI 96778

Until Whenever,

Aloha

Kapoho sweetness

Welcome to the weekend, everyone!

Today I woke up with the intention of going back to Pohoiki for a swim, but after mentioning my plans, I took the suggestion from someone to go snorkeling instead. I had never been before, so why not?

We hitched to the tide pools (Kapoho), and walked down a hidden path to a better spot to enter the water. I had never used a proper swim mask or snorkel before, and so had to adjust a bit after getting in the water. The temp was chilly, but easy to get used to. The second I put my face underwater and told myself to breathe through my mouth, my eyes adjusted to looking through the water. It was amazing AND magical. I followed my swimming partner out into the tide pool, checking out the underwater world below me. Seeing all of the different fish and coral blew my mind. I've seen these things in pictures, but really seeing them before me was such a cool experience.

Being from the land-locked and very great state of Colorado, I had some apprehension even being in the ocean, especially swimming out toward the breaks as we were doing. Let me say that I knew this was perfectly safe, but I still had anxiety. More and more so the further we swam out. I told myself over and over to get the shit over it. My mask didn't fit properly, and I had to hold the snorkel up and out of the water, which was difficult but worth it. I saw more awesome things today than I ever thought I'd see while on this extended vacation.

After snorkeling, we hitched to a warm pond. Lava-heated water is amazing. It is truly nature's bathtub. We floated around for a while, discussed our cravings for hamburgers, and came back to the hostel. I thought about showering, but gave up on that thought when I decided to hitch into town to grab some things for a beach day tomorrow.

I spoke to four of my most beloved friends on the phone, and spoke to my little bro for almost an hour after that. Now, as I sit surrounded by chill people writing this, I realize how sunburned and worn out I am. Swimming is great excercise! I can't wait to make dinner, read for a bit, and hit the hay! Tomorrow I'll go back to the black sand beach I went to last Sunday (Kehena), and I am excited to actually take some pictures this time.

I hope all is well with everyone wherever you are, and that this Summer has started as spectacularly for you all as it has for me.

Until whenever,

Aloha

Plastic devil card

Yesterday while in town, I did something idiotic. I went to an ATM for some cash, and left my friggin' card in the machine when I walked away. Luckily for me, no one took the card and used it. The machine sucked it right back in after I didn't grab it. So today I had to trek back into Pahoa to get my card from the bank. Annoying, but I got it back. No harm, no foul. Except that I feel like an idiot.

Other than my great credit card retrieval adventure, today has been pretty tame.

I made three salsas tonight. Pico de Gallo, carrot scallion, and apple lychee. OMG. It felt like I was in Denver again, chopping jalapenos.

I've started reading Wicked. Love it so far. The jargon can be a bit much sometimes, but I guess that's what you get when reading a fantasy novel. Still, it's entertaining at the very least, and funny for sure.

I'm looking forward to some beach time this weekend. Plan on chilling tomorrow with the book. Hopefully by Monday I'll have a bunch of pictures to upload. I've been slacking on that front.

Until whenever,

Aloha

Pee gardens and BBQ chips

Wednesday, June 6th 2012

Dear Diary,

Today was a wonderful day in Paradise. The songbirds awoke me at dawn, and upon waking, I felt so refreshed and joyful.

Wait, let's back up. Those weren't songbirds. That was my cell phone at seven in the morning, screaming a Flo rida song in my ear. Thanks, Mel! :)  No but seriously, there's a four hour time difference between myself and Denver. Don't call before noon, people, I will not answer.

The day started the same as usual, with a slow wake-up followed by work time. I worked with another person today sprucing up some pee gardens. yes, it's what it sounds like. We pee there. and yes, I said 'sprucing up.' Why shouldn't we pee in a beautiful place?

After work and a jungle shower, I hitched to town with the girl I worked with. I'm realizing that I find hitchhiking totally amusing and really enjoy doing it. I think it's because it's one of the things I can do here that I would never ever attempt back home. Only crazy crackheads do that shit in Denver, right? I wouldn't know.

Anyhoo, I bought some groceries. I bought cheese. I couldn't help it. I love that shit. I also got some sopressatta to go with it, and  bottle of Tempranillo. Keeping it classy in the jungle, that's me. Well, kind of. I also bought a tiny bag of BBQ chips and a gingerale. Because screw it. I'm living in paradise, and I'm going to eat what makes me happy.

Pig update: i have seen as many as four pigs at one time (this happened one very moonlit night after I had gone to bed. I heard them rummaging  around and so watched them from inside my tent). I'm still working on not allowing them to scare me, but honestly, when you're walking through the jungle at night, and it's pitch black except for the light from your headlamp, anticipating a dark-colored animal emerging from the shadows is pretty much impossible. So for now we'll say that they definitely still startle me, and only scare me a little.

I hope that those I sent postcards to have begun receiving them. :)

Until tomorrow,

Aloha

Things and stuff

Random statements:

When I landed in Hawaii and was waiting for my pickup, I smoked a Nat Sherman cigarette.

I feel like there are more mosquitoes inside my tent than outside.

I haven't had cheese since San Fran.

I've been reading for at least an hour everyday.

My feet are always dirty.

I've been drinking more water everyday here than I ever have.

I really miss shooting pool.

I would love to watch some basketball right now.

I want potato chips REAL BAD.

Hitchhiking has been interesting and not at all scary.

I know in my heart that this will not be the only time I come to Hawaii.

I have been so, so lazy.

Everyone here makes really great smoothies, but I hate bananas.

I have a bug bite in my ass crack.

There's a gecko living on my tent.

The 'K' key on my keyboard doesn't always work, and it's annoying.

I haven't had sushi in Hawaii yet, damn it.

I'm going to get a tattoo in town asap.

This has been your blog experience for today. I'm not going to write about walking up and down a hill or picking weeds or planting shit. It's too monotonous to even describe.

Aloha

Kehena

Last night was probably the most entertaining time I have had here so far. We played a game in which you write ridiculous poetry by passing the poem around. You can only read the previous line. You may remember this game from such times as: middle school or high school. :) It was actually really funny. I'll transcribe the one that started with the line I wrote. It's going to seem stupid, childish, etc., but you had to be there, man. You had to be there.

"On the third of November, you will surrender.

This is a day you will always remember

A day so hard to forget, but still keep it balanced.

To balance on a beam of light

It's fun to make sweet... chocolate.

Like a Hershey's kiss

it got melty in my mouth

like an ice cube on a bald man's head in Arizona

so cold and wet, yum yum make me want a

milkshake man steak

filet man flake

collect clam cake

spit on the ground, and hmm

what was under his shoe? it looked like

a big poop!

A fruit loop de loopy goopy gumdroppy poppyfun.

fun in the sun!

Oh wow I'm stoned!

said the curly-haired, ponytail-wearing woman to the

7-headed Beast of Proof and Smurf Power, Fists up."

So there's that.

If you get tired of me writing the word 'amazing,' you should read another blog.

Today was AMAZING!

I hiked to nearby Lava Tree State Park. It's only about a mile, but by the time I got there, I was a ball of sweat. I stank. FYI: It's hot in Hawaii. And humid. And amazing. :) Lava Tree is worth the walk. Basically a couple hundred years ago some lava collided with some trees. Since in the lava vs tree game the tree never wins, what you're left with are lava rock formations that resemble those ancient trees. And as always, if you're walking through any part of the jungle, what is around you is awe inspiring.

From Lava Tree, I hitch-hiked into Pahoa. I was craving a good ol' Amurican breakfast. Two eggs over-medium, hashbrowns, sausage and some toast. and some OJ. Cholula. Glorious Cholula, how I have missed thee. I doused my eggs in it. Feel the burn.

After breakfast, I wandered around town, through some shops and into the grocery. I got my damn chili powder, ghetto chili be damned! Got some lychee, because they are so, so good.

When I left Pahoa, I walked nearly all the way back to the hostel, but when nature began to call, as it always does in inconvenient times like when you're walking along a busy road, I hitched the rest of the way down the road.

I'm glad that I arrived when I did, because as soon as I walked up, I was offered a ride to the beach. Kehena, to be specific. The sand is black, folks. Jet black. On Sundays there is a drum circle, so the beach is full of hippies, dogs, swimmers, and naked people. Oh, I forgot to mention that it's a nude beach. Nothing like seeing old, wrinkled parts on a beautiful afternoon.

Today, for the first time, I stood on a beach someplace where the sun was shining and the water was actually warm enough to swim in. I saw some frickin' dolphins jumping around in the ocean. Couldn't really get more magical, could it?

You should prepare yourselves for the repeated use of the word 'magical' immediately. Apparently.

I never told you how we got to the beach. Shame. We rode on an adorable scooter, along a road that follows the coast for a bit. Probably one of the best rides ever. The ride back was even better.

Now I sit writing this, feeling amazing and magical, and I don't really feel like doing this anymore today. I'm going to make some mushroom soup and chill like there's no tomorrow.

Aloha

Ohm

I have been connecting a lot with the others here at the hostel. Sharing lychee with one girl, sitting in an ohm circle (if I can call it that) with everyone, seven people snuggling on one bed, singing songs together and just enjoying being around each other everyday have been great experiences. It's like adult hippie summer camp. Ha ha. Exactly like that. We sometimes eat together, watch movies together, mourn the sudden loss of the internet together, praise the rain together and get dirty and smelly together. We sit around chain-smoking talking about a huge range of things. This shit is the shit.
The sense of community between these people (and now myself included) is so different from Denver and the people I feel community with there. Maybe it's the different pace of things, the surroundings, or possibly just the difference in mental state. Everything is fluid here.

Yesterday I woke up feeling like a pile of garbage. My whole body ached and felt like it was on fire. I took the day off from working and sat around like said pile of garbage, scarfed some ramen and drank lots of water and green tea. I felt much better before bed.

We had six people come to stay last night, and it was cool to A: not be the newbie anymore (even though I technically still am because none of those people are staying more than one night), and B: see the integration process and not be the one integrating.

I caught a ride into Pahoa with two of the girls that arrived and got some groceries. Thanks, ladies, for saving me the hitchhiking hassle!

I pretended to be chivalrous by walking a girl to her tent who was scared of the pigs, but then later let someone walk me to my tent. Because I do what I want!

Today a few people went to Kona, but I decided to hang here and relax. I really don't want the fevah to come back. Tomorrow, however, I'm going to an MMA fight in Hilo. Looking forward to not only being in Hilo, but seeing a fight for the first time (why do people like to watch people beat each other up? My grandma once described boxing as watching two guys hit each other until one falls down, which I find accurate and hilarious).

The internets are intermittent here currently, and possibly for the next couple of weeks, but I'll post when I can so all you crazy cats can get your fill of my ramblings.

Aloha