So today is my last day here in Hawaii (and probably my last post in Hawaii) and it has been raining...
a lot. For the past 48 hours or so to be exact. It's been so bad that yesterday almost everyone here (except the owners) went over to the sunny east side of the Big Island (Kona). I had to say goodbye to a lot of people earlier than I had expected which (when mixed with the immense rain) was a bit all too sad. I was happy though to see Elisha, Saffron, and Sage walk up from the bus when I thought they had left with the group. I spent some time with them for a bit until I hitched into town to get food for the night.
I went out when it was only drizzling and ordered take-out from a local Italian restaurant, but when I had to hitch back the rain came down like hell once again. For a bit, I was miserable. I kept saying to myself, "Please pick me up, please pick me up, please pick me up." (They say in Hawaii especially, if you put it out there, you usually get it back quite fast. It was worth a shot.) Then this Forrester comes around answering my prayers, and I meet this dude who was "getting away from the old lady for a night". He would laugh after everything he said or after I answered any of his questions.
"So, where you from then?"
"Ohio."
"Hahahaha!"
I thought he was pretty funny and I think he knew I thought he was crazy as he kept reassuring, "Don't worry, man. You're safe." He took me directly where I needed though so I really couldn't complain. I got back and was kept company by the kids and their mom eating pistachios and learning to play the dijourido (sp?) which I think I may have gotten the hang of it.
They went to bed soon enough though, but Lee (one of the owners) got home and hung around for a bit. Lee was the first person to pick me up, giving me my first impression of Hedonisia. I don't think I have a picture of him, but he is kind of tall and has long blonde hair. For some reason I feel I have described him before, but I am too lazy to check. Anyways he's really passionate about his beliefs and what not and I love to hear him speak on them. He's always motioning things with his hands and saying "But that, that's their own trip, man." He's been working a lot with people in the city for gay rights and other progressive movements like that. He was sitting there, reading the paper, drinking his wine and I knew he wouldn't be silent for long. He then started speaking about this editorial I smiled to see him get into one of his tangents again. Then Lloyd bopped on by as usual and they began to watch A Day Without A Mexican.
Before I continue though I would like to keep with my promise and let you know a little more about Lloyd (my mom told me last night that I never got to describing him so here you go, mom). But alright, remember Wilson from the 90's TV show Home Improvement?
Well, his real name is Lloyd and he is actually the next door neighbor of Hedonisia.
I have really loved the time I have spent with Lloyd. Everyday he comes by to chat with the people here. I have heard so many things about him from the people here. Supposedly he grew up on a resort, was a dolphin trainer, and is now an official Captain and whale watcher. Right now he is building his own house that's kind of in the style of a gazebo.
He also has an uncanny resemblace to The Dude from The Big Lebowski.What I know from him though is that he is a really friendly guy, who's well read and loves movies. We have spent so much time speaking on different directors and authors. I find it so nice to find someone who seemed so different from me, but ended up being so similar in such odd ways. So yes, there you have it. That is Lloyd.
Anyways while they were watching the movie I decided to take the time to write everyone here a letter letting them know how much I appreciated their company. I wish there was a way to clearly capture my day to day experiences with these people just so all of you reading could know what this Immersion really was about.
Today though has mostly consisted of packing and getting everything ready to be home tomorrow. I should probably go though as I have written my longest post yet and we are going into the city before I leave. My flight leaves at 5:35 tonight and noon tomorrow I'll be back home. I think now I have hit this perfect point where I am not desperate to be home, just ready. It feels good and I will be pretty happy to be back with all familiar faces around. Anyways, until then and signing out from Hawaii!
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