Quote of the day: ““Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.” ― Roger Miller
Akaka Falls in the Rain
I can safely say that the drought in the Hilo area has ended. It started raining last Saturday afternoon. It has rained much of the days and nights since then (today is Friday, so almost a full week of rain). I awoke to a gray dawn, everything dripping outside. Soon another rain shower began and now I am sitting listening to rain on the roof. Sometimes (like now) it is gentle and soft. Other times it pours down fast and hard, like a torrent from the sky.
Rainy View of the Street Where I Live
Yesterday, I went swimming at the beach, even though it was cloudy and threatening rain (it starts and stops and starts and stops). Since we’ve seen so little sun this week I thought I may as well go swimming and get rained on, if I wanted to swim. As Akiko said with a huge laugh, “What’s the worst that can happen? You get wet! You already gonna be wet.”
It was overcast but not raining when I started swimming. While I was in the ocean it began raining hard! The rain was cold and when the droplets hit the water they floated on the surface, like lit from within spheres of light. I was surrounded by little bright spheres of raindrops. They floated for a moment on the surface, distinct from the salt water below. Then they dissolved into the salt water, leaving no trace.
What a wonderful image of the oneness of life! We live our lives like the raindrops floating on the surface of the salt water, bright spheres of light. Then, when it’s time, we simply dissolve back into oneness.
One of my other adventures yesterday was going to Chi Gung practice in Hilo with Akiko. Sifu Peter Tam Hoy teaches Chi Gung and Tai Chi for 2 hours every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday morning. I decided I could handle an hour of Chi Gung but not an extra hour of Tai Chi. Wow! Two years ago when I was here for a photography workshop, I participated in the Chi Gung class and was in huge pain at the end of it. This time, I felt energized (a little sore in my knees and low back) but very different from last time.
Misty Landscape – On the Way to Akaka Falls
After class Peter spent about 15 minutes with me, showing me how when I am relaxed and allowing energy to flow freely within, I am also strong and stable, but when I tense a shoulder or elbow or even my hands I lose my strength and stability. He spoke of the two types of energy (yin and yang) and how in the West we tend to emphasize the Yang aspects through strength training, aerobics, and the like, but, if we learn to work with the yin energy and let it flow, there is more strength and stability than through the yang. I have worked with Chi Gung teachers before; Sifu Peter Tam Hoy is the most masterful teacher of this practice I have encountered.
After lunch yesterday, it being the most rainy day I had experienced here, I decided to visit Akaka Falls and see if I could capture some photos of the misty clouds and rain. My adventure was a success! It poured down rain while I was walking down the steep path to the falls in my slippery sandals (note to self – wear hiking shoes next time). I got some really neat photos of the falls through the rain.
Akaka Falls in the Rain
Just when I arrived at the falls two big tour buses full of vacationers from cruise liners were also descending the trail to the falls. Some of them had no umbrellas and no rain gear. They looked so wet and uncomfortable, completely soaked, like they had just stepped out of a shower. That is not my idea of a good time.
Which reminds me, I’ve started a list of things I am so glad I decided to bring to Hawaii. Here is my list:
- My big tripod (I was considering leaving it out because it is so heavy and big) but I’m so glad I brought it. I have used it a lot!
- My macro lens for my camera. I thought maybe I would just bring my 18-270 mm zoom lens (again to save space), but decided, to throw it in my camera bag since I had room. I’m so glad. The flowers and foliage here at Akiko’s could keep me busy for weeks just making macro photos!
- Umbrella – I thought, maybe my raincoat would be enough but decided, maybe not, so attached it to my camera backpack. Yesterday, even though I had a raincoat on, I am so glad I had my umbrella! I was able to tuck the umbrella handle under my arm so that I could shelter my camera from the rain and still make photos of the falls in the rain.
- Raincoat – actually I always planned to bring this, but I have really appreciated having it this rainy week!
It’s funny how little things make a big difference.
Base of Akaka Falls
Small Falls on the Way to Akaka Falls
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