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

Ghetto chili

Working today was better than yesterday, not because it was less work, but because it was different work. I utilized many muscles instead of a few.  My job today was transplanting some things from near the driveway across the property to the border between this property and the next. Before I could plant, I had to remove cane grass from the area. Apparently this plant is a nuisance and must be destroyed. It can be difficult to uproot, but after a mid-shift rain it became easier. I took the uprooted plants and piled them under the branches of the avocado tree, as a cushion for the ripe fruit when it falls. Then I planted 16 plants in the area I cleared, as the beginning of a privacy barrier for the Guava Hut. I got extremely dirty and I loved it!

After a much-needed shower and shave, I made some ghetto chili for lunch. Pinto beans, black beans, one tomato, one jalapeno, half a yellow onion, three scallions, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and paprika. Note to self: buy chili powder when I'm in town on Saturday.

Today the subject was brought up that I'd have my touch-base meeting in a few days to discuss what my plans are regarding staying at the hostel and specifically in the tent I'm staying in currently. My immediate thought was 'I love it and I want to stayyyyyyy!' But now I guess I need to figure out for how much longer. I'm thinking an extra month to start. Hiking can wait, this is too perfect.

Suck it, weeds!

If anyone wants to mail me some Arnica cream, every muscle in my body needs it.

Ha. I started working at the hostel today, and darn it if I didn't for some mysterious reason wish yesterday to get to use some machinery today. I used a weed whacker for two and a half hours straight, literally mowing down weird tropical plants and grasses from an area equivalent to three average yards. Not that I'm complaining, but by muscles are. This fuckin' thing was longer than I am tall, and weighed at least twenty pounds. On the bright side, with the amount of sweat I produced, I probably dropped eight to thirty-five pounds.

Took a post-weed-whacking shower. First shower with soap since Friday night. I now know how smelly I can get. :) I like it. And being dirty. Because fuck it. I don't need to smell like some damn roses.

After my shower I took an amazing nap. The pure exhaustion probably helped. I'm wondering if that's what's behind the crazy, crazy dreams I had. In one dream, the pigs and I had a picnic. We ate bacon. What the crap.

In other pig news: I saw no pigs tonight but had terrible anxiety about seeing them. Maybe it was the guy who told me right before I left for my tent, "if you see anything with tusks, STARE IT DOWN." Well, thanks, guy, I'm totally not scared shitless to walk to my bed now.

Whatevs. I'm gonna write out some postcards to some peeps and hit the hay.  If wishes work like they did yesterday, then I really wish they would put me to work napping tomorrow.

Pohoiki

Oy oy oy! What a day. I hiked about 3.5 miles to the nearest beach (Pohioki), on what is possibly the most beautiful stretch of road that I have ever walked. The road winds through the Puna area of Hawaii, eventually narrowing into a grove of mango trees just before the beach. Le sigh. Along the way, I made sure to watch for traffic, because although the posted speed limit is 25-35mph, the average speed of passing cars is 40-50mph. There are no sidewalks, so attention to detail es muy importante.

When I arrived at Pohoiki, there was really no beach, as is typical of this side of the island. Lava rock prevails, as do some pretty big waves. I swam near the boat ramp, which seemed like the norm. After about fifteen minutes in the surf, I decided it would be safer with a surfboard, which I did not have, so got out to wander around the area. Luckily for me, I stumbled upon a geothermically-heated pool not far away. I floated around nature's hot tub for about forty-five minutes, staring up into the palms. It was M.A.G.I.C.A.L.

When I decided to leave, I took my neighbors' advice and threw my thumb out at passing vehicles. Got a ride in two minutes that saved me the hour walk back home. Mahalo!

I got an odd look from one of my neighbors because of my lunch of lettuce and sardines, which amused me because they just killed, gutted and ate a pig the day before, but se la vie.

After a glorious but sweaty nap, I did something I have not done since high school, perhaps. I went for a run. Yeah, you read that right. I ran. With no destination and no one chasing me. Don't get too impressed though, I'm not sure I even made it a mile. But I did it! Any step forward is a good one.

Tomorrow I start the volunteering aspect of staying at this hostel, which I'm excited about. I'm ready to learn about the sustainable farming that is utilized here, and to contribute to this community. I hope they let me use some machinery. Not sure why.

Oh, last thing. Update on the pig situation. Tonight as I walked to my tent from the barn (150 yards approximately) I let those pigs know who was boss by continuously yelling the word pig the entire way. I could have done without this, though, because the pigs were (delightfully) RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY TENT when I got there. Shit. I didn't scream this time, I barked at them and those pussies ran right into the jungle. Pshhh they know there aren't any dogs around here. ;) Seriously though, I'm going to try to get used to them, because I love where I'm staying and don't want to cop out and move closer to the main building. It's just a pig in the dark, right?

Lord of the Flies

Starting my day at 5:30 A.M. San Francisco time, I was scooped up in a van and on my way to the airport. Mind you, I didn't fly out of Oakland until about 9, and so had plenty of time to waste. Or sit around probably looking like the walking dead. When I finally boarded my flight to Honolulu, I was pleased to be sitting next to a very chill couple from Cali. We chatted, we chuckled, we thanked our lucky stars that there were no screaming children near us. Even sleeping sitting straight up for five hours didn't dampen my spirits. The Honolulu airport is amazing. I took off my shoes and walked around the gardens inside until my next flight to the Big Island. Slept like a baby until we landed. Couldn't erase my perma-grin. I had arranged for a ride from the airport to the hostel, with a stop for groceries (and a much-needed icy cold beer) on the way. was pleasantly surprised when two very attractive women were the ones to fetch me (and my heart?). I digress.

I have since unpacked a few of my things, toured the property, chugged a beer in the jungle, and acquainted myself with all of the residents of the hostel by spending the evening with them in the common area. There are about seven people living here, and all of them have been here for weeks, if not months. Everyone is very friendly and open. One of the guys living here is a comedic rapper, which is quite entertaining. Another was cooking the wild pig they shot on the property. Pig. Shot it with a bow and arrow. In the face. Straight out of Lord of the Flies. While we're on the subject, I already ran into a wild pig while walking to my tent in the dark, and screamed like I never have before. I made sure to laugh really loudly afterward so that my new neighbors would know I was okay. Or maybe to let myself know I was ok, but DAMN that thing was big, and I wasn't ready for it. I look forward to being made fun of tomorrow for the scream.

So. Aside from the pig, this place is incredible. The shower is solar heated, and it's conveniently located outside in the freaking rainforest. To die for. The toilet is the same way. They've rigged up a bidet, if you can call it that, to save on toilet paper cost. It's basically like the sprayer you'd find connected to a kitchen sink. No, I didn't try it on myself yet, but yes, I did spray it into the bushes and amused myself.  It's freezing cold and has quite a bit of pressure behind it. Not sure if I'm ready to spray my own ass with it yet. Ha.

Now my day is done, because I'm exhausted. I'm lying in my tent listening to rain and coqui frogs all around me. The perma-grin is back.

You stay classy, San Francisco

What an interesting few days I have had. And mind-blowing, amazing, trying and exhausting. This is how you know you're on vacation in a major city. Everything feels amazing until it doesn't really, and you have to remind yourself to relax. Take a break. Take off your shoes and think about all of the miles that you have walked in one day. Think about all of the cool shit you've been seeing. Have a damn cocktail at a swanky bar and let someone take care of you. Because it's your va-ca-tion.

It's MY vacation.

-

Leaving Denver was easier than I thought it would be, mainly because I slept for only an hour and a half the night before, and the delirium numbed my body and mind. The hard part was realizing that the giant pack on my bag would be my only true companion for the whole trip. Not in a sad way, but in the way that I knew immediately after I put it on for the first time that it would annoy me and possibly be the death of me. This bag is enormous. And heavy. More specifically, it weighs 37 pounds. And did I mention the word 'enormous'? It has been hilarious trying to get to know this thing and all of the smaller things I have stowed away in it. I planned on bringing a very small camp towel that is supposed to be incredibly absorbent and quick-drying. Not the case. After using the thing for about three and a half seconds, I wanted to throw it away. Burn it. Wish it on my worst enemy. I've since replaced it, but using that thing was like trying to clean up a kool-aid spill with a grocery bag. Shit is just getting smeared around, and there's no mistaking it. Almost everything else is pretty ok in the bag, but I have yet to master packing it correctly so that I don't feel like I'm walking around in a hurricane while wearing it. I'm sure practice will make perfect.

San Francisco. Is the place to be. I love love love this city. It has intrigued, entertained, confused and exhausted me. There are a lot of things I want to say about the past two days, and since I'm not feeling very organized mentally at the moment, I'm going to write all of those things in a list-y type of manner.

The wind and cold weather can suck my... Especially considering it's the end of May.

Same goes for the hills. I know, I know, San Fran is known for steep ass hills. That doesn't mean I have to like them.

People here are rad! I've seen more STYLE here in a day and a half than in my 15 or so times visiting NYC. And I love NYC and the people in it, so that's saying something.

Amazing food. Thai, sushi, Italian, blah blah blah. eating here has been wonderful.

I'm sick of public transportation.

I love the architecture here. And the landscape. I've seen bigger trees here than ever before in my life. Also I saw and hugged a palm tree for the first time (I felt compelled; it felt like I was embracing more than the tree).

I nearly fell into the bay. Pure clumsiness is the only reason.

It has been disheartening to be under dressed everywhere I go. I'm travelling with the ugliest wardrobe. Screw functionality when you want to look good for about an hour. On the other hand, my new tattoo and newly dyed mohawk seem to be going over pretty well. :)

I watched a guy play 'Stairway to Heaven' on a single steel drum. <3

Getting a smooch from the cute bartender is always nice.

The Golden Gate bridge turned 75 today. I went. Impressive damn bridge, but screw the commute I had to suffer through to get there.

I was mistaken for a local and was asked for directions, which always makes me feel good because then I know I don't look as lost and confused as I really am. Until I have to tell the mistaken party that I, in fact, have no idea about a single thing they are asking about.

-

So glad that I'm here; so glad I started this blog-thing; so hoping this isn't boring to read. I really wanted to post some pictures this evening, but I'm not sure I can stare at this screen anymore.

Adios for now, and tomorrow I will be saying ALOHA. :)