Quote of the day: “The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures. It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.” ― Rabindranath Tagore
Last Blast of Summer Flowers in Minneapolis
I did it! I bought my plane tickets for my Hawaii winter walk-about—December 3 through March 12. I have a starting place for my walk-about and I trust that everything will flow from there (I do admit to being a bit nervous about it). I will be staying the month of December at Akiko’s Buddhist Bed and Breakfast near Hilo, Hawaii on the Big Island. I’ll be working 15 hours a week for Akiko in exchange for a very good room rate for the month. I may stay longer there, but I also want to explore other parts of the Big Island and if possible, 1 or 2 of the other islands.
Beyond December I am operating on trust that I can figure it out as I go along. My wish for my planned trip is to experience the rhythms of life on the island and take part in daily life, capturing photos of the ordinary and the disappearing villages and lifestyles of native Hawaii.
Here in Minneapolis, it is feeling more and more like fall. On my daily walks I see signs of fall everywhere I look, smell fall in the air, and feel the coolness of the mornings. As I prepare to spend my winter in Hawaii I am even more conscious that I want to be fully present here, now. It is so easy to get caught up in planning and imagining the future, especially when it’s something I’m excited about and a little scared of as well.
This trip will be challenging in many ways. I will be by myself most of the time I am in Hawaii and that will be challenging. I’ll be away from the comforts of home and living in fairly rustic surroundings to save money. And I will be away from family and friends for over 3 months, something I’ve not done since I was 20 years old.
Figuring out how to navigate the island without renting a car for the entire time I am there will be challenging. I expect to rent a car occasionally so that I can see more of the island, but I cannot afford to rent a car for over 3 months.
I am reaching out to friends to gather resources such as names of people I might visit or call while I’m there, places to stay that are inexpensive or free, ways to get around without a car.
Here in Minnesota, I have enjoyed my iPhone camera more and more. I take it with me everywhere I go and my morning walks have become photography outings instead of just walks. It is such fun! I took all of the photos in today’s post with my iPhone.
Signs of Fall Are in the Air and On the Ground
Lone Maple Leaf
Heart Path
More signs of fall
Raindrops on Pine Needles
Two roads diverged in a woods…
Empty bench with fallen leaves
0 Comments