Pictures 2

The folk I was hanging with at the north shore party... afore mentioned.


A neat picture of the fire we made... my camera's CCD seems to pick up the coals remarkably different than they actually looked.


Cthulhu pondering the windward side of Kauai.


Me doing some work in front of the hostel's nice garden. The sound, on the otherhand is a bit loud.



Garden details. Rather nice for a hostel especially.


Picture of Opaekaa falls.


Cthulhu *will* conquer all! Taken at the Hindu Monastery's Sacred Forest... sacreligious, I know...


Though, this is where Cthulhu stays during travel... so it's not the best accomodations.


Mt. Waialeale finally shows it's peak on my way out.

So, most of the last of these photos was taken on Monday when I rented a mountain bike, went up the Wailua river park and basin (bout a 1000 ft. climb all told probably) and went to the Keahu Arboretum. Nice arboretum. Had my packed lunch of PB&J--fancy, I know. Checked out the Hindu monastery on my way back, but they were closed (only open 9am-Noon--should've done it on the way, ah well). Otherwise, very tiring, but a nice coast most of the way.

In the evening I did some aikido. Very nice, small group. Sixth dan and a third dan teaching. Quite amazing actually. Very happy about that. Got a ride a few times from one of the guys that goes past where I'm staying.

Anyway, I'm getting ready for Japan as well. Making some money dishwashing at the Blossoming Lotus; very, very nice vegan food to eat. I've written more posts but have yet to upload them... perhaps when more time permits.

Aloha!

Small Town Coffe Co. Post

Well, it's been awhile since I updated, so I guess I should.

Things have been pretty much normal here in Kapa'a still. I got the job doing the dishwashing at the Blossoming Lotus like I mentioned, and that has been the hardest part of it all. The shift starts at 6 PM (5:30 apparently officially) and usually gets out around 11:30 or so, whence I go back to the hostel (assuming I haven't forgoten my keys--which I did the first night but got lucky when someone went in at the same time I got back) and usually crash out due to exhaustian. Make about $20 or so in tips a night, though Friday night, being a bit busy and fewer staff to slack off, I made $35. Still haven't seen how much actual cash they'll give me for the hours worked; they said $9/hr. but I don't know how many hours they'll actually clock me for. And the first night of training, of which I stayed the whole time, was also not paid I belive. Bah! But, it is some extra cash for Japan.

And I'm learning a great deal from the process. I had little idea of how the service industry actually works to do all the things. Dishwashing is also the crappiest job of that industry; the most actual labor is expected from you (at least compared to the chefs and waitresses) and you get dumped on the most, and usually end up having the most to do at the end of the night, people waiting for you to finish because they can't go home till it's done, which makes them expect you to hurry even more. Crappy indeed. I'm not actually complaining though, but I can now empathize with the rest of you folks.

I think I would like to stick to using my brain for a living.

Otherwise, I've been also working around the hostel, this week was weeding and painting, like afore mentioned. Finished some ladders for the bunks in some of the dorms. Managed to get some paint that doesn't want to come off on my travel shorts and my Doughty shirt though, so I'll have to find something to take it off with later. The manager, Mike has mentioned that it may be possible to help him with some computer stuff as well, so that may be a better way to pay for my stay. As it is, looks like I'll be able to do about half my stay with work around the hostel if all goes well.

Beyond that, and the awesome meals from work, I don't have much more time to do much. I've been reading a bit--still working on finishing Stranger in a Stange Lane. Good book. Next on the list is my PB copy of Autobiography of a Yogi; should also be interesting.

Kauai

I suppose I should update this thing eventually. Lets see, where to start.

I've been here on Kauai for a few days now, actually more than a week by a day. Finally getting a bit relaxed and back into the swing of being in paradise, or something like it. Got sick and realized I was stressing out way too much. Slept and dremnt a lot and relaxed most of the way. A few levels left to go, but we'll see.

Been putting in some work at the Hostel to extend my stay without too much further cost to myself. I've done two days so far, hope to get at least a week's worth of free stay-about a third of the stay--should work well. Did weeding the first day and then some calking and painting of ladders the second. Got paint on my nice travel shorts, so we'll see if it comes out.

Went to a healing circle from Aloha Intenational last Thursday, day after I got here. Did a nice sending to my father to wish him health and discovery with his current situation. A nice group, and was immediately comfortable talking of spiritual experiences. They mentioned the four levels of their Huna reality experience. First being the material world, the connection between us being realized as present but considered separate. The Second level was the in-separate nature of each being, we all being the one. The Third level was concerned with the interaction of spirits(?), or was it ancestral and DNA genetic memories of ancectors (not as keen). The Fourth level being the usefulness of symbols, wether linguistic in nature, but seemed to stress more practical everyday reminders (statuary, situational and environmental pointers). An interesting session nonetheless; good connective feeling nonetheless.

Then applied to various places around town to see if I could get some part-time work. Papaya's was first, a nice co-op like feel natural foods store. Cute cashier seemed to incline that I had a chance, but as to date (a week) no dice. But, then applied at the Vegan Restaurant that I had eaten at first night I was here. Had less inclination to get lucky, but a dishwasher hardly takes training. Then, next day or so, went by the business help services place and applied there. I had thought of Taco Bell, but I really don't want to have to help that place. And I only would be willing to work at a place where I could eat the food constantly.

Turns out The Blossoming Lotus is the first people to give me a call. Best food too, even with Papaya's great choices (fantastic salad bar).

Nonetheless, last night was my training night. I had only supposed to go for an hour and then get to the talking story session also sponsored by the Aloha International (Wednesday nights). But, as I did catch them on TV actually, and the training turned into a work session, I figured it worked out. Plus, I had the world's best, vegan, spani-ko-pi'-ta. Fantastic beautiful flavors. Worth the price of admission: cleaning dishes and dealing with food waste all night. And cleaning floors. And being last to leave (11:30). But, the main dishwasher, he's Israeli but I can never remember his name, was nice and gave me some of his tips at least (yay $5) and told me to pay the pattern forward. Nonetheless, a reasonable job for four hours, if it only just lasted that long. Start at 6 and I guess the shift is only supposed to be till 10, but damn, still. Ah well, at $50-60 a night, the wage could be worse I hear. And free dinner at a vegan restaurant--still fairly priceless. Good organic "roots" drink we can have at will as well.

Today was the painting, and still a little relaxation from the cold the previous day.

And now I get to go to work for real. Fun.

Leaving O'ahu

15Jun06

[Sorry for the delay. Many things afoot... and then I got my journals mixed up on my Palm. Bah. Anyway.]

So, and this would be last Sunday, I got up early and made my way by bus to the Honolulu Aikido dojo for some morning and afternoon at aikido (since I had finally gotten around to getting the gi). When I arrived, however, the dojo wasn't even close to looking open, and I realized I was in the same place I had walked the previous wednesday to gaming. So, I went back to the same coffee bar as was gaming, got a chai, and hung out for an hour (watching a bit of the world cup) before going back to check on the aikido.
Back at the dojo, there had been some kind of weapons practice, but oh well. Got in there and did aikido for an hour. Some of their udansha are pretty good, and I could definitely feel the combination of new mat/dojo stress, no training for two months, and the heat of hawai'i giving me a fairly strenuous workout. The gi worked, but I sweat a lot, and it was no match. I was leaving all kinds of sweaty impressions on the floor. To the floor's credit though, it left quite a lot of filth on my gi. They sweep but scrub less often, apparently.

Hungry at this point (I only ate enough to tide me through aikido due to the usual problem with food in the belly), I found the drug store and supermarket quite useful. Spent way too much money on some very nice salad fixings though (~$25) and some other bits of pleasure (cliff bars and pocky) and remedy (something for the chaffing and blisters from hiking). I decided to walk home as I had the previous time I was in that area, and though the two miles or so was a little bit worse than before with the bags of goods, I managed.

Back at the hostel, the UK folk had been replaced by two ladies from Vancouver, and two guys from the UK. Pattern? Nonetheless, they were very nice and generally slept the afternoon away, likely from jetlag. After my own nappage, I made a salad and forgot about half of what I bought to go in it. When the rest of the gang was up and about, as well as fed, we decided to go out and check out the evening activities.

Since I had the place down already, I served as tour guide and tried to find our way around Waikiki. I unfortunately didn't know where the best bars were, so we eventually, and by eventually I mean a good half-mile walk, got to the Hard Rock Cafe. We had some drinks and snacks and chatted. Decent comeraderie. They were all fairly intelligent and a bit on the geek side. The two ladies were nurses and the other two had recently worked on a video game for the UK's board of transportation.

Afterwrds we made our way to the beach, as one of the ladies was quite interested in getting an evening dip in. We eventually found our way, with only most of us getting our feet wet (I was still in my boots at the time--the gore-tex lining does in fact work by the way--very nice and dry feet). We finally found a decent spot on the beach near the hostel and proceeded to drink at least two or three bottles of wine we procured on the way.

After drinking, smoking, and talking till about 3 am, is was a drunken stagger back to the hostel and eventually sleep.

In the morning, after recovering, sometime around 10 I got up. I hadn't really planned much and mostly just puttered around the place. I was, however, determined to figure out what was going on with my Kauai plans, so finally emailed around enough, spent a lot of time on the internet (along with the photo post), and got a ticket to Kauai. I also booked myself at the hostel through Wednesday (as was my flight that day). The rest of the day I spent some time with yoga and walking around the park side near Diamondhead park. There was also several guys that came into the hostel during the evening who were also from Vancouver and ended up being very popular with the ladies from Vancouver, being local boys 'n' all..
Went out shopping briefly with the ladies. Found myself a rather nice sarong to wear--good manly sarong, black with some stylized flower things. The new Vancouverites were eager to check out the ocean (having just arrived as well), and a midnight swim was had with Laura, the new two guys (whose names escape me) and myself. The remaining of the group however wanted to get a car the next day and get on to touring the island, so went to bed early.

The next morning (this would be Tuesday), the five of us got a car to go explore the rest of the island--though it ended up a bit on the small side. We stopped at lookout to see the very nice windward shore when we came around to it. Eventually stopped at a nice beach in Li___, just outside of K____ beach. Got some waves and too much sun. Somehow I managed not to do all that well a job getting the sunscreen on myself which left some rather interesting burn marks on my back at the time of this writing. But, I'll recover eventually. Enjoyed the beach for a good hour or so. One bunch of girls on the beach spotted a Portugese Man-o-War in the water, which was eventually scooped out and let die on the sand. No general unpleasantness, and it was at best a small one. Very blue. Guy on the beach said they come out after the full moon.
After the beach, had a decent gardenburger at a nice shack up the road called Buzz's Lunch & Dinner. Really most excellent tempura fries as well. After that, a rotation of the bitch seat in the middle of the car, and more driving.

We went around the north shore penninsula near the Polynesian Cultural Center (which was a nice trip the last time I was on the island), and then started looking for some places to have a beach party. Stopped off at the FoodLand just near the Backpacker's Hostel I had stayed a few nights previously. Got some coffe and some snacks, and found a nice bottel of Captain Morgan's Tattoo spiced rum (which essentially tastes like rum and coke, but without so much actual coke to dilute it--rather good on the whole). We looked around some more and finally decided to take in the beach just south of Waimea Bay, which was, I think, called Chun's Reef or Beach.

Nonetheless, it was the rocks in the ocean that was most challenging to our fun.

The beach fun was had with playing in a fairly decent surf generated by a decent wind. Many surfers in the outer breaks, but we were limited, though not by enjoyment, to the beach side without boogie or surf boards--which was fine, except for the afore mentioned rocks that we were battered upon. Sharp buggers they were.
After that, I took a brief break to check my flight information for the next day, and to make sure what Sky's plans were. He was thinking of joining me shortly in Honolulu or Kauai, but wasn't sure about when or how. But, it turns out he got some decent sounding job interviews and needed to stay in town.

Went back the folks and proceeded to make good on the party and finding a fire to start. Many munchies of chips and M&Ms were had, and the drinking began. The rest of the evening was much the party scene; talking, running around, being crazy, etc. There was a bat-head competition (running out to a stick, putting your head on the end of it, and running around it 10 times before running back to base) which ended, poorly for me, in the sand. There was dancing around the fire in primal style for the sprinkles of rain to go away, though apparently we did the opposite. And music was had through some small speakers the ladies brought.

But, as it came time to try and get to sleep, besides the drying off of our things as best we could with the fire (which was mostly made from bits of crates, previous fires, and dead palm branches), the rain would just not let up. Some of the more die-hards that weren't willing to give up quite yet (and had gone to the car) tried to find solace in a less wet spot under a tree (me, Holly and Vinnie), but were not only found by mosquitoes, but also a great deal of more, consistent, cold rain at around 4 am or so. We all eventually retreated to the car and decided to quit our journey and head back home.

I would also like to mention that sand, which seems to be particularly sticky here in Hawaii, was everywhere. Simply amazing. Just... Everywhere...

It was, nonetheless, a fun and rather memorable time. Good mates to meet on the road.
Sleepy, smelly, sandy, moist drive home, which only took about an hour or so. Back at the hostel, showers were eventually had, and the girls, who were still checked in, went to sleep. Some quick goodbyes to the party folks. I did eventually get on to my flight, while getting a little lost on the way to the airport (but with still plenty of time once I got there). Breakfast of champions at Burger King.

And then Kauai. More notes on that soon.

Pictures 1

Ahhh... Seattle and the PNW... How I will miss your rain.



Some beautiful ladies from Camp Tomato.



The also lovely Byodo-in Temple.



Detail of the bell tower. I forget what these little devil things are called. Anyone?



Find Cthulhu Now...



These flowers are famous here on the island I believe. I should probably figure out what they're called.



View of the North Shore's Waimea Bay Beach. Very nice...



Cute flowers on the hike.



A decent picture of the valley I was hiking in.

More pictures later... once I actually take them.

North Shore

08Jun06

So, lets see, where was I.

Monday night was rather mundane.

Tuesday I spent getting familiar with the O'ahu bus system. Rather decent on the whole, if a bit expensive. I probably should've gotten a short term bus pass and saved some money in some long run. Nonetheless, figured it out. Took the bus to the east side of the island to the Valley of the Temples, essentiallya very large cemetery, but with multi-denominations. They have the Byodo-in Temple, a remake of a Japanese Buddhist temple from some part of Japan. Nice temple. Nice Buddha. If it was the kind of place you could hang out for a bit, it would be nicer I think. I did a short meditation near some of their bamboo piles, but that was about it. Had a supermarket lunch afterwards of egg-salad sandwich, but did manage to try some taro-root mochi. Interesting, and about the same as azuki beans.

Took the bus back and decided to try and check out the aikido dojo in town. I had tried calling them earlier in the week to see about their training schedule, and more importantly, if they had any gi tops for me to buy. Unfortunately, I never got through to them and mostly just showed up to see if they could accomodate. They however didn't and couldn't. They wouldn't let me practice with a t-shirt, understandably, so I just ended up watching them for their hour practice session. On the whole, I liked their style; it was pretty decent looking aikikai. They had three other udansha plus the instructor, and about as many kyu ranking members.

Back at the hostel watched Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas with one of the guys' laptops. Very, very weird movie.

The next day I went to do errands. Wanted to get that gi-top, and, realizing that I can get a free RT island hop by spending another $400 on my credit card, I needed to find a way to get some money spent. I had planned to do this by buying my Japan Rail Pass, a bit early as I won't need it for about three weeks at least (wherein it would be decent to try and wait for the dollar to go up against the yen in the interim--which the office I called suggested). However, to use my card incurred an additional $25 or so of charges, so the flight won't be quite so much of a bargain. That done, I trekked (not wanting to bother with the expense of a $2 bus ride both ways) to find the gi I needed. The japanese shop I found had a decent selection of gis actually, but had to by as a set. The stronger 8oz fabric would've been better, but I opted for the even lighter karate gi. Still need to figure out what to do with the pants, as I brought my own and they are much better.

Back to the hostel, I was tired from walking, and didn't much feel like actually going to aikido. Then I remembered that I had checked craigs list a few weeks back and found a local gaming group. So, I phoned in a pizza order, and walked to the coffee shop way the heck up the road to find some gaming action. I was relieved to find that they were actually there.

They were finishing a game of Rocketeer or something; I hadn't seen it, looked new. After that a game of six person Citadels that was pretty decent. They had to leave around 10 pm, so that was it and home. Where I slept well.

In the morning, packed and did a quick yoga session in the park again. Found another group after my session was done that usually does yoga as well, but this very with-it guy was talking about accupressure points and showing the other three ladies there about it. I stayed about half an hour before going back to finish packing and getting on the shuttle to North Shore.

The shuttle was decent ride, got a nap and a mocha slushie. After checing into the Backpackers hostel, I prepared myself and took a hike up to Pupukae, which was relatively close by.

However, it was a three mile hike (uphill there) to get to the trail head, which was actually pretty decent trek by itself. A quick detour to a local spiritual grounds; previously used spot for war sacrifices and holy work in general. Then the triail itself, about a five mile loop, was a lot of up and down rooty paths. Very nice views. Very good hike. But after a few miles I was completely drenched in sweat, and about halfway through the hike I ran out of water. So that made it harder to keep up. Grueling at best. But, I eventually made it and got some more water at the trail head at the ranger's house.

My feet are still killing me and my butt has been thoroughlly chaffed. Hopefully that'll heal soon. Have a few small blisters, mostly my pinky toe. Horrible, I know.

Saw some jujitsu folks practicing on the way back, but didn't have the energy to try it.

Not sure if I'll stay here tomorrow or go back to Waikiki. World cup friday night in any case.

Hostel

05Jun06

No, I haven't seen the movie. At least one person recommended that I do that before I leave, said it was a great pice of adventure and horror, or, something. And someone else, Ann I think, said something about it being a generally horrible horror exerience. Nonetheless, it has been an interesting experience.

Getting into Honolulu was fairly normal. I'm still a bit frustrated with how much crap I have to fit in the pack still. I think I'll be able to shed some random extra stuff from somewhere, but still not sure where yet. I got a very long... ahem, hawaiian time shuttle bus from the airpoirt to the hostel I had phoned at the airport (and found a discount off a four day stay). Checked in, decided to go for four days at least, and found some intresting folks in my room. Half of them were still sleeping (at 3pm) from going to bed at 7 am. Fascinating. There were two girls from the UK who were friends. And a guy from scotland. Nice folks.

I spent most of the late afternoon figuring out what the hell I was doing there and feeling very tired about it. The amount of sleep I had been getting recently was really quite horrible, and that needed to change; the jetlag wasn't so great either. I eventually went out to get a snack, famished from only having a crossainwich at about 6 am at the airport, and a cliff bar on the plane. So, like, 8 hours later, I'm a bit pekkish. (The ladies' accents are splendid). I got some mediocre but decent fafalel at the interntional market, which is most certainly noted as not having any tofu.

Then I freshened up a bit in the shower and continued some interesting escapades in the night life. Mostly I just walked around a lot. A lot. And people watched, and got some idea of the shopping. Then I got back and took a bit of a nap, and found it strange that my bed was made. Housekeeping probably, though why in a hostel?

Went out again at night. Saw the night life. Walked some more.

When I came back, I found out that my bed had in fact been claimed. Three Irish girls had come in together while I was out. So, the "making the bed" is the way to call your spot in the dorm room. I had put a pillowcase on a pillow to this effect, but aparently, that didn't matter much. Nonetheless, once I made sure we were all supposed to fit in the dorm, I switched beds to the other room. It was air conditioned and with the other folk I met, and worked out better in the long run.

Morning was sleepy but I eventually turned into some strolling around the park next to the beach and hostel and got in a short yoga session. Watched a japanese lady film her four year old play with the faucet a whole lot.

Got into some trunks and took a quick swim in the ocean. Forgot my towel and got very sandy very quickly. Took a little sun bath before going back and getting a shower. The sand sticks remarkably well.

Got in a fairly nice nap after that. Decided to get out and check out a health food store, which was almost all supplements and not that great, small deli. Got a better sandwich at a place called Ruffage, tempeh with sprouts, and a spirulina smoothie. Best meal so far. And more walking.


And then I'm here. Writing this journal and talking with folks in the lounge of the hostel. They recommend Molokai. Need to find more islands to go to. Kuaii seems to have a hippy population concentration. They might be nice to stay at for the solstice. Probably be able to score some place to hang with folk.

Cthulhu 1

Cthulhu up on Stone Mountain.




I did, by the way, hike all the way up with my pack fully loaded. It's just under 50 lbs. right now, but hopefully it'll shed some after I figure out what I really need. Suggestions have been duly noted.

Assuming this picture works, more to come, eventually.

I ship out to Seattle tomorrow for a weekend of Jason Webley action. And lots of goodbyes to family here in Atlanta, GA.