Quote of the day: “Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace.” — Paul Theroux
My room at Akiko’s – corner room overlooking jungle
I arrived in Hilo, Hawaii a little after 7:00 PM Hawaii time, Monday. As soon as the plane landed I called Tony, the car guy with whom I had made a verbal agreement to rent a car for my 3 1/2 months in Hawaii. As promised, Tony picked me up at the airport, drove me back to his place to get the car, and turned me loose with the car and no map on a very dark night.
Tony’s business “computer” was a spiral notebook and a pen. He drove us to a convenience store with a copy machine, hand-wrote our agreement, got my signature and driver’s license and then made a copy of the agreement and my license – one for him and one for me.
Tony does not accept credit cards and is reluctant to accept checks, but I didn’t have cash upfront to pay for a 3 1/2 month car rental, so he “made an exception, just this once.” Tony showed me the bakery that he works at 4:00 AM – Noon every day and told me that he had started his little car rental business with a few cars. Now he has 30 cars and must make a tidy amount with his “side” business, given that he has no business expenses other than acquiring vehicles, upkeep on the cars, and insurance. He does no advertising except by word of mouth, parks the cars not currently being rented all around his house in Hilos, and relies on his cell phone as his main business tool. I was impressed with his entreprenaurship and how simply he runs his business—only in Hawaii
Resting cat at Akiko’s
Anyway, back to me and navigating myself to Akiko’s place in the dark. Now, if you know me well, you know that I am known for my keen sense of direction—ask me which way to go and then do the exact opposite! 🙂 Thank God for my iPhone and Mapquest. I entered Akiko’s address, pressed go and followed the instructions. It worked! Almost flawlessly. At the last turn it wanted me to go straight while my written instructions from Akiko said to go left. I went left – and I got there!
Akiko’s Kitchen
I’m still figuring out the flow of my days here, adjusting to the time change, and the climate. It was bright and sunny all day yesterday, probably in the mid-80’s. Akiko tells me they are experiencing a draught right now. It hasn’t rained since I arrived Monday—very unusual for Hilo in December. However to my Minnesota bones, it feels nothing like the draughts I am familiar with.
Tree outside my window
Bright and early Tuesday morning, Akiko put me to work (I am working 15 hours/week at her B&B). My task was to rake a path in the rain forest. Let me tell you, raking the jungle is a task that never ends. 🙂 Those trees just keep dropping a few leaves every day. Instead of one big push in October or November, you work regularly to keep the debris at bay and to keep the jungle from encroaching.
Me, after I finished my work outside this morning – sweaty and hot and ready for a shower
My biggest question about this whole adventure was whether I could handle the physical labor. I expected helping around the B&B, cleaning, laundry, making beds. Instead I’ve been working outside, getting bitten all over by Hawaii’s stealth mosquitoes. I never see them or hear them or feel them bite me but sure feel the bites later on.
Last night, when I was incredibly sore, tired, and jet-lagged, I had a several-minute pity party thinking, “I’ll never adjust to doing this hard, physical labor and I just want my own comfortable bed and my own kitchen, and a bathroom that’s closer than going outside, down the stairs, and across the courtyard.
Breakfast
Fortunately I remembered my daughter’s wise advice (see First Steps…) and decided to suspend all judgment and wait and see how I feel in a couple of weeks. Akiko is mindful of my limitations and it is quite possible that this kind of challenge is just what my body needs.
Akiko’s Kitchen Photographed Through Screen
There are two other women staying at Akiko’s right now, both doing a similar work/live arrangement. Today, I worked with Linda, clearing up plant pots and debris around a house across the street that Akiko recently acquired. She bought the house as is, with everything in it and is now sorting through years of accumulation, in and around the house, preparing to rent out rooms there. Linda has been sorting, organizing, discarding stuff in preparation for a garage sale this weekend. I promised to help her with it so long as I can sit most of the time in the shade! (You should see me after about 5 minutes of working in this heat and humidity. Sweat drips off my face. I’ve already learned to delay my morning shower until AFTER I finish working outside.
Part of the path between my room and the bathroom and shower
And, despite the challenges, and my soreness, I am enjoying my adventure. Yesterday afternoon, there was a local food share (sort of like a farmer’s market). People bring vegetables, fruit, eggs, fish, and plants. Each seller also brings something to give away (sometimes a treat, or juice , or tiny little orchid in a pot). A group of musicians plays and everyone knows almost everyone there. I bought my veggies, fruit, and eggs there.
Still Life
I’m thinking of heading north soon to see a beach one of the other women here told me about. It’s not a swimming beach but that’s ok because it has clouded over and is probably not warm enough for swimming today (or so Linda tells me).
Stairs leading to my room
Akiko’s place is almost impossible to describe. It is a place out of time. For some reason it’s smack in the middle of a cell phone dead zone so one needs to walk or drive about a mile to get cell phone reception. Everywhere I look, Akiko has created some altar or arrangement of stones, or whimsical touch. Yesterday I took a few photos of the first things that charmed me.
Wishing you a day filled with grace, gratitude, and the aloha spirit.
Linda and Akiko on the way to the Food Share (wheel barrow to carry food to share and purchases home)
Musicians at the Food Share
Ukelele Player
Akiko Talking with a Friend at Food Share
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