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
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