"Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance" is one of the mantras of nursing. We cannot escape this nor do we want to. This is a good way to order your life! Due to my newest National Geographic article being more than 60 pages long, I will offer you intermittent, random "Travel Helps" I have learned through experience in the U.S.A. and abroad.
"P" Help #1: Before you leave, learn about the new place. The farther you go and the longer you'll be gone, the more you'll need to know. There are many guidebooks you can buy at bookstores or borrow from the local library. You may even find a video at the library. Finding out even a small amount of history helps enhance your experience. Find the destination on the internet. Talk to friends who have been there: this is the best source!
Many cities have more than one airport (London, England, has 4!). You need to know which one will be yours!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Of Cold and Ice
"A Woman's Winter on Spitsbergen" by Martha Phillips Gilson, National Geographic Magazine, August, 1928: While paging through this issue, I saw the title and thought, "Oh, good! An article on Germany, my ancestors' home." Wrong! Spitsbergen is an island 360 miles north of Norway, very close to the North Pole.
Visiting Spitsbergen does not hold the slightest appeal for this southern girl (got my daddy's Tennessee blood!). But I had never heard of it so I wanted to find out why anyone would choose to live there.
Mrs. Gilson was very excited about staying in Spitsbergen: "The stories of the Eskimos living in their ice huts and burning whale oil and wearing furs all through the long winter months had always interested me; but they sounded more like fairy stories than accounts of real life. Now, here was my chance to equal, or even out do, the Eskimos" (p. 227).
Together with her husband, Mrs. Gilson left Norway on a small boat one August third. The first three days "were terrible. . . we entered the ice pack and had to lay to for a few hours. I dressed and went on deck. All around us, as far as the eye could see was ice - large, flat cakes and huge icebergs. Many of the latter were beautiful and of fantastic shapes. Some looked like medieval castles, others had great, deep-blue caverns" (p. 229).
When they arrived at Spitsbergen, the sight was not as pleasant: "We were struck by the barrenness of the land. The mountains were only that wonderful blue at a distance; close up they were brown, with not a sign of vegetation - just brown rock, with here and there a touch of snow. It was 10 o'clock at night and the sun was shining brightly" (p 230).
Mrs. Gilson was, indeed, an adventurer. She was only 20 years old at the time, "had never been so far away from home before, I had not known the man to whom I was now married eight months ago. It was all very strange, Even Nature was strange, with her 24 hours of daylight. But youth is adaptable and I soon began to feel as if I had always lived on Spitsbergen" (p. 233).
Other than hunting or fishing, the only industry on the island was coal mining. The mine was worked all year. Coal was stored in a large pile near the harbor for shipment the next summer. Approximately 250 people lived on the island permanently. Mrs. Gilson does not mention her husband's occupation.
It is COLD there! "Frost is always found in the ground two feet below the surface, and in places where the sun does not reach snow stays on the ground the year around" (p. 235).
Life in Spitsbergen during the winter was very hard; there were no luxuries available. There was "no sun at all by the first of October - just twilight - and a very depressing light it was, hard on the nerves. One looked in vain for a sunrise that would not come for several months" (p. 241).
"The wind is the worst feature on Spitsbergen. A still, cold day, with the temperature fifty degrees Fahrenheit below zero, is not so dangerous as a windy day with a much higher temperature. When it is around thirty degrees below (zero) and the wind blowing, look out for frostbite!" (p. 241).
Mrs. Gilson reported, "The northern lights were magnificent. We saw them first early in November. They were like a giant handful of different-colored chiffon scarfs being shaken across the sky. As each one changed shape and position, it changed color" (p. 241).
The winter was very hard on all residents of the island. Apparently the natives were used to a simple diet, but our young married couple "suffered more from the lack of green things to eat than we did from the cold. We had a few old copies of an American weekly magazine and I would fairly weep over the colored advertisements for oranges, celery, salads, and so forth" (p. 241).
Usually, the last boat had to leave the island before October first. The first boat Mrs. Gilson saw came into the dock on July 21st. However, another boat had arrived "at the ice edge, 40 miles from camp on June 8. The men came over the ice on skis, bringing with them the mailags, some apples, eggs, and candy. It was a day to be remembered! . . .The eggs were the first we had seen in a year. I could not eat fast enough!" (p. 246).
Mrs. Gilson "was planning to leave for Norway on a coal boat about the first of August. As the time drew near, I found myself spending more and more hours out of doors. . .I promised myself that I would return to Spitsbergen if ever the opportunity presented itself. The "call of the cold" was in my blood" (p. 246).
The closest I've come to the Cold North these days is watching "Ice Road Truckers" (Alaska) on TV. The northern lights do seem beautiful and intriguing. My late mom and dad enjoyed traveling on many cruises in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, to Hawaii and Alaska. One time I asked mom which was her favorite cruise. She wistfully replied "Alaska. The scenery is unequaled." Perhaps sometime I'll venture there. . .
Visiting Spitsbergen does not hold the slightest appeal for this southern girl (got my daddy's Tennessee blood!). But I had never heard of it so I wanted to find out why anyone would choose to live there.
Mrs. Gilson was very excited about staying in Spitsbergen: "The stories of the Eskimos living in their ice huts and burning whale oil and wearing furs all through the long winter months had always interested me; but they sounded more like fairy stories than accounts of real life. Now, here was my chance to equal, or even out do, the Eskimos" (p. 227).
Together with her husband, Mrs. Gilson left Norway on a small boat one August third. The first three days "were terrible. . . we entered the ice pack and had to lay to for a few hours. I dressed and went on deck. All around us, as far as the eye could see was ice - large, flat cakes and huge icebergs. Many of the latter were beautiful and of fantastic shapes. Some looked like medieval castles, others had great, deep-blue caverns" (p. 229).
When they arrived at Spitsbergen, the sight was not as pleasant: "We were struck by the barrenness of the land. The mountains were only that wonderful blue at a distance; close up they were brown, with not a sign of vegetation - just brown rock, with here and there a touch of snow. It was 10 o'clock at night and the sun was shining brightly" (p 230).
Mrs. Gilson was, indeed, an adventurer. She was only 20 years old at the time, "had never been so far away from home before, I had not known the man to whom I was now married eight months ago. It was all very strange, Even Nature was strange, with her 24 hours of daylight. But youth is adaptable and I soon began to feel as if I had always lived on Spitsbergen" (p. 233).
Other than hunting or fishing, the only industry on the island was coal mining. The mine was worked all year. Coal was stored in a large pile near the harbor for shipment the next summer. Approximately 250 people lived on the island permanently. Mrs. Gilson does not mention her husband's occupation.
It is COLD there! "Frost is always found in the ground two feet below the surface, and in places where the sun does not reach snow stays on the ground the year around" (p. 235).
Life in Spitsbergen during the winter was very hard; there were no luxuries available. There was "no sun at all by the first of October - just twilight - and a very depressing light it was, hard on the nerves. One looked in vain for a sunrise that would not come for several months" (p. 241).
"The wind is the worst feature on Spitsbergen. A still, cold day, with the temperature fifty degrees Fahrenheit below zero, is not so dangerous as a windy day with a much higher temperature. When it is around thirty degrees below (zero) and the wind blowing, look out for frostbite!" (p. 241).
Mrs. Gilson reported, "The northern lights were magnificent. We saw them first early in November. They were like a giant handful of different-colored chiffon scarfs being shaken across the sky. As each one changed shape and position, it changed color" (p. 241).
The winter was very hard on all residents of the island. Apparently the natives were used to a simple diet, but our young married couple "suffered more from the lack of green things to eat than we did from the cold. We had a few old copies of an American weekly magazine and I would fairly weep over the colored advertisements for oranges, celery, salads, and so forth" (p. 241).
Usually, the last boat had to leave the island before October first. The first boat Mrs. Gilson saw came into the dock on July 21st. However, another boat had arrived "at the ice edge, 40 miles from camp on June 8. The men came over the ice on skis, bringing with them the mailags, some apples, eggs, and candy. It was a day to be remembered! . . .The eggs were the first we had seen in a year. I could not eat fast enough!" (p. 246).
Mrs. Gilson "was planning to leave for Norway on a coal boat about the first of August. As the time drew near, I found myself spending more and more hours out of doors. . .I promised myself that I would return to Spitsbergen if ever the opportunity presented itself. The "call of the cold" was in my blood" (p. 246).
The closest I've come to the Cold North these days is watching "Ice Road Truckers" (Alaska) on TV. The northern lights do seem beautiful and intriguing. My late mom and dad enjoyed traveling on many cruises in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, to Hawaii and Alaska. One time I asked mom which was her favorite cruise. She wistfully replied "Alaska. The scenery is unequaled." Perhaps sometime I'll venture there. . .
Monday, July 29, 2013
A Useful Lesson
Today I've returned to reading National Geographic Magazine, August, 1928, "ARCHEOLOGY, THE MIRROR OF THE AGES: Our Debt to the Humble Delvers in the Ruins at Carchemish and at Ur" by C. Leonard Woolley.
My earliest memories of an archeologist was reading National Geographic years ago, as a child. I remember learning about Dr. and Mrs. Leakey discovering a human jawbone partially protruding out from the rocks and dirt of a cliff in Africa. "Archeologists just wander around and are lucky if they find important things," I thought.
The next instance I seriously thought about archeologists was the "Indiana Jones" movies. What a giant 'dig' the Nazis had (fictitiously, I hope), trying to unearth the Ark of the Covenant. Once I knew a young woman who graduated with a degree in Archeology. Unwilling to move to exotic places, she never found a job so returned to college and earned a medical degree.
Mr. Woolley probably wrote this article for ignorant people like me! "When we see an object from the past, neatly and cleanly displayed and labeled in a museum case, we have no idea the labor by many hands that has gone into showing us this one object." He continues, "I have often been asked whether I do all the digging with my own hands, and the questioner has been surprised to learn that I employ anywhere from one hundred to three hundred men" (p. 207).
The excavation he writes about was sponsored by the British Museum and the University of Pennsylvania, and took place in Carchemish, the ruins of an ancient Biblical town in Turkey. When the Baghdad Railway was being constructed, "a wall of finely trimmed limestone blocks" was exposed. "Starting from the edge of the cutting, we soon brought to light the ruins of a large private house, a building whose ground plan was not unlike that of a modern suburban villa, even to the detail of the front door with its roofed porch, approached by a flight of stone steps" (p. 221). Amazing!
Let's not forget, this 'dig' took place nearly 100 years ago. First, Mr. Woolley had to get permission from the national and local authorities. He had to convince the local men to work for him. Hiring the foreman was critical; he was quite pleased with the honest, hardworking man he found, Hamoudi. He also had to inspire a sense of the importance of the project into the men. They had to be careful with their work; they were rewarded for their 'finds.' The appropriate bribes were given at all levels. The men had to be fed, housed, and paid.
Back to the ruins of the villa: "The story of two nations is read in the ashes of a villa. It was clear from the outset that the house belonged to the last days of the city's existence, to the time when, according to the writers of the Old Testament, Pharaoh Necho, King of Egypt, went up to Carchemish, which is beside the Euphrates, to do battle with Nebchadnezzor, and was defeated there in 604 B.C. As work went on inside the house, proof came in dramatic fashion."
"The floor was covered with a thick layer of ashes, and in the ashes lay hundreds of bronze arrowheads, lance-points, and fragments of broken swords" (p. 221). Here in Kentucky, hunters and farmers still find stone arrowheads from our native Americans' habitations many years ago. They are treasured and many are displayed in glass cases in private homes. I doubt if any of these finders consider themselves archeologists.
In part of the city of Ur, "We had cleared the kitchen of the temple Gig-Por-Ku, and the whole thing, dating from the time of Abraham, was so astonishingly well preserved that we told the men to light fires in the old cooking ranges, to grind corn in the querns (stone bowls), cut up meat on the chopping block, and draw water from the well, so that we might photograph the scene almost as it was when the temple yet stood" (p. 224).
"To our Arabs the finished results appeal strongly; they pore over the architect's drawings, delighted to see what the city looked like in the days of Abraham" (p. 225). Any knowledge of life in Biblical times and places helps me to make the Bible, God's Word, more real to me.
Mr. Woolley concludes, "The story of the past which they have helped to lay bare would fill volumes; they themselves deserve at least these few pages" (p. 225).
Lesson learned and enjoyed! I'll never again examine a beautiful, interesting object in a museum without thinking about those who labored to bring it to this display.
My earliest memories of an archeologist was reading National Geographic years ago, as a child. I remember learning about Dr. and Mrs. Leakey discovering a human jawbone partially protruding out from the rocks and dirt of a cliff in Africa. "Archeologists just wander around and are lucky if they find important things," I thought.
The next instance I seriously thought about archeologists was the "Indiana Jones" movies. What a giant 'dig' the Nazis had (fictitiously, I hope), trying to unearth the Ark of the Covenant. Once I knew a young woman who graduated with a degree in Archeology. Unwilling to move to exotic places, she never found a job so returned to college and earned a medical degree.
Mr. Woolley probably wrote this article for ignorant people like me! "When we see an object from the past, neatly and cleanly displayed and labeled in a museum case, we have no idea the labor by many hands that has gone into showing us this one object." He continues, "I have often been asked whether I do all the digging with my own hands, and the questioner has been surprised to learn that I employ anywhere from one hundred to three hundred men" (p. 207).
The excavation he writes about was sponsored by the British Museum and the University of Pennsylvania, and took place in Carchemish, the ruins of an ancient Biblical town in Turkey. When the Baghdad Railway was being constructed, "a wall of finely trimmed limestone blocks" was exposed. "Starting from the edge of the cutting, we soon brought to light the ruins of a large private house, a building whose ground plan was not unlike that of a modern suburban villa, even to the detail of the front door with its roofed porch, approached by a flight of stone steps" (p. 221). Amazing!
Let's not forget, this 'dig' took place nearly 100 years ago. First, Mr. Woolley had to get permission from the national and local authorities. He had to convince the local men to work for him. Hiring the foreman was critical; he was quite pleased with the honest, hardworking man he found, Hamoudi. He also had to inspire a sense of the importance of the project into the men. They had to be careful with their work; they were rewarded for their 'finds.' The appropriate bribes were given at all levels. The men had to be fed, housed, and paid.
Back to the ruins of the villa: "The story of two nations is read in the ashes of a villa. It was clear from the outset that the house belonged to the last days of the city's existence, to the time when, according to the writers of the Old Testament, Pharaoh Necho, King of Egypt, went up to Carchemish, which is beside the Euphrates, to do battle with Nebchadnezzor, and was defeated there in 604 B.C. As work went on inside the house, proof came in dramatic fashion."
"The floor was covered with a thick layer of ashes, and in the ashes lay hundreds of bronze arrowheads, lance-points, and fragments of broken swords" (p. 221). Here in Kentucky, hunters and farmers still find stone arrowheads from our native Americans' habitations many years ago. They are treasured and many are displayed in glass cases in private homes. I doubt if any of these finders consider themselves archeologists.
In part of the city of Ur, "We had cleared the kitchen of the temple Gig-Por-Ku, and the whole thing, dating from the time of Abraham, was so astonishingly well preserved that we told the men to light fires in the old cooking ranges, to grind corn in the querns (stone bowls), cut up meat on the chopping block, and draw water from the well, so that we might photograph the scene almost as it was when the temple yet stood" (p. 224).
"To our Arabs the finished results appeal strongly; they pore over the architect's drawings, delighted to see what the city looked like in the days of Abraham" (p. 225). Any knowledge of life in Biblical times and places helps me to make the Bible, God's Word, more real to me.
Mr. Woolley concludes, "The story of the past which they have helped to lay bare would fill volumes; they themselves deserve at least these few pages" (p. 225).
Lesson learned and enjoyed! I'll never again examine a beautiful, interesting object in a museum without thinking about those who labored to bring it to this display.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Gone to Rio Today
Sunday, the Lord's Day, now is my favorite day of the week. And today, I'm home and could attend my home church, Christ the King Cathedral, here in Lexington, Kentucky. On the drive there, this morning, it occurred to me that, although I've included photos of churches I visit wherever I travel, I've never posted a photo of my beloved home church.
Before my youngest daughter #8, Jeannie, and I moved from Danville, Kentucky, to Lexington in the year, 2000, we church-shopped in Lexington. We attended Sunday Mass in all the churches, one at a time. My favorite was the Newman Center/Holy Spirit Parish at the University of Kentucky. I appreciated their emphasis on Outreach and Justice Issues. Jeannie's favorite was Christ the King. She liked their very conservative organ music at a particular Mass. Of course, we became members where Jeannie wanted to go since I wanted to encourage my young daughter in all things 'church.' (It is hard to believe that I have a daughter who is even more conservative than I am!)
Then I started meeting people and getting involved in various church ministries. I discovered that Christ the King engages in an ENORMOUS Outreach and Justice ministry - to the tune of supporting a medical mission in Central America and much, much more. A previous pastor told me that his job was a large challenge for him because, at the time, Christ the King had 88 different committees! Anyway, it is a wonderful experience for me to be able to participate in the Mass on Sundays since I've retired!
Oh, the Jet Lag I've felt since I returned from Hawaii yesterday morning! I knew a quick recovery would involve doing as little as possible this weekend, so I've sat in my comfy brown recliner and watched TV, mostly "World Youth Day" on EWTN-TV (Eternal Word Television Network, the Global Catholic television channel).
World Youth Day is celebrated every year in a different country. This conference is directed to Catholic youths and anyone else who cares to come, for fellowship and inspiration. The Holy Father, the Pope, always attends. This year the celebration was in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. It was the 28th World Youth Day. 3 million young people were there!! There were 60,000 youth volunteers!
Pope Francis, the 266th pope, and current leader of the Catholic Church, gave many stirring speeches as part of the worship services. The music by the Brazilians was outstanding, very professional, touching hearts! Pope Francis himself is a South American, coming from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I have grown to love all of the Popes in my memory which goes back to Pope Paul VI, who was leader from 1963 to 1978. With Pope Francis, however, it was love at first sight for me. When first elected several months ago, Pope Francis spoke with such passion about Jesus and the mission of the church that was clearly miles above anyone I have ever heard! (And you know how wonderful and loved Pope John Paul II was!)
Pope Francis encouraged the youth, "It is worth it to take risks for Christ and His gospel." He urged them to engage in 'revolution', to be counter-cultural against a world which only exists for pleasure and doesn't think youth are capable of good behavior. Pope Francis related that he has seen "A New Springtime" around the world and told them, "Take heart, never lose courage, the Lord is your strength." He mentioned to all watching and listening, "Never tire of asking God's forgiveness for God never tires of forgiving us."
The TV commentators said that they had heard of a young man from Argentina who was very poor and couldn't afford to pay to travel to the conference but decided to walk. He started walking in July. Along the way, there were people who helped him, especially "monks from Boston," and he made it on time. Others heard of his journey and offered to pay for his trip home. He declined, even with his feet very sore, and explained that he was going to walk home and "tell everyone about Jesus."
Pope Francis was born in 1936 and is 76 years old. He is extremely energetic, an example to all us 'seniors.' I'll admit that I looked forward to retiring at age 65 and settling in to 1) sitting around all day and embroidering, and 2) playing with my grandchildren. I now know that I have a Mission, and that is Writing. Praise God, I have the health and energy to work at the Mission even more now that I'm a young 70!
At this moment, Pope Francis is flying to his home in Rome, Italy, a flight of 13 1/2 hours!
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| Main altar at Christ the King Cathedral, Lexington, Kentucky. Although it is difficult to spot in this photo, a very large crucifix hangs from the gold ceiling medallion. |
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| Stained-glass window at rear of Christ the King Cathedral, depicting Jesus Christ the King (with crown) and American Saints of the Catholic Church. |
Then I started meeting people and getting involved in various church ministries. I discovered that Christ the King engages in an ENORMOUS Outreach and Justice ministry - to the tune of supporting a medical mission in Central America and much, much more. A previous pastor told me that his job was a large challenge for him because, at the time, Christ the King had 88 different committees! Anyway, it is a wonderful experience for me to be able to participate in the Mass on Sundays since I've retired!
Oh, the Jet Lag I've felt since I returned from Hawaii yesterday morning! I knew a quick recovery would involve doing as little as possible this weekend, so I've sat in my comfy brown recliner and watched TV, mostly "World Youth Day" on EWTN-TV (Eternal Word Television Network, the Global Catholic television channel).
World Youth Day is celebrated every year in a different country. This conference is directed to Catholic youths and anyone else who cares to come, for fellowship and inspiration. The Holy Father, the Pope, always attends. This year the celebration was in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. It was the 28th World Youth Day. 3 million young people were there!! There were 60,000 youth volunteers!
Pope Francis, the 266th pope, and current leader of the Catholic Church, gave many stirring speeches as part of the worship services. The music by the Brazilians was outstanding, very professional, touching hearts! Pope Francis himself is a South American, coming from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I have grown to love all of the Popes in my memory which goes back to Pope Paul VI, who was leader from 1963 to 1978. With Pope Francis, however, it was love at first sight for me. When first elected several months ago, Pope Francis spoke with such passion about Jesus and the mission of the church that was clearly miles above anyone I have ever heard! (And you know how wonderful and loved Pope John Paul II was!)
Pope Francis encouraged the youth, "It is worth it to take risks for Christ and His gospel." He urged them to engage in 'revolution', to be counter-cultural against a world which only exists for pleasure and doesn't think youth are capable of good behavior. Pope Francis related that he has seen "A New Springtime" around the world and told them, "Take heart, never lose courage, the Lord is your strength." He mentioned to all watching and listening, "Never tire of asking God's forgiveness for God never tires of forgiving us."
The TV commentators said that they had heard of a young man from Argentina who was very poor and couldn't afford to pay to travel to the conference but decided to walk. He started walking in July. Along the way, there were people who helped him, especially "monks from Boston," and he made it on time. Others heard of his journey and offered to pay for his trip home. He declined, even with his feet very sore, and explained that he was going to walk home and "tell everyone about Jesus."
Pope Francis was born in 1936 and is 76 years old. He is extremely energetic, an example to all us 'seniors.' I'll admit that I looked forward to retiring at age 65 and settling in to 1) sitting around all day and embroidering, and 2) playing with my grandchildren. I now know that I have a Mission, and that is Writing. Praise God, I have the health and energy to work at the Mission even more now that I'm a young 70!
At this moment, Pope Francis is flying to his home in Rome, Italy, a flight of 13 1/2 hours!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Last Walk on Waikiki Beach. . .Now Home!
It didn't take much time for Theresa and me to finish packing yesterday morning. We had time for a last walk on our beloved beach before departing for the airport. We plodded through the sand near the water further west than previously. Out on an old concrete pier, I saw local wildlife for the first time: crabs and tiny fish darting in and out of the black lava rocks. Theresa reported that she had seen lots of fish in the sea when she "was way out in the (outrigger) canoe."
Yesterday, Friday, our 6 1/2 hour flight left the Honolulu airport at 1 p.m. Next stop Phoenix, Arizona, then overnight to Charlotte, North Carolina. Finally, we reached Lexington, Kentucky, at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The flights were uneventful; our luggage was not lost. At every stop, I advanced my watch to local time.
In Honolulu, the weather was sunny and low 80's. In Lexington, it is drizzling rain and 68 degrees. But I am HOME at last! I felt like kissing the floor in the Lexington airport!
Even though I had the trip of a lifetime, it was very, very good to get back to the familiar comforts of home. My son, John, was very happy to see me, as I was very happy to see him. It didn't take me long to pull out some of the souvenirs I brought him from Pearl Harbor. Oh, there were a few bills - nothing overdue. There was a big stack of newspapers - the best news was the new royal baby of Kate and William in England. Everything outside was greener than ever. Rain is projected for the next few days. Good, I can sit inside and plan the rest of my life! Mahalo, Hawaii!
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| Historic section of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, facing seaward, the Crest. |
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| It's early, not all beach umbrellas are up with chairs occupied. |
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| Diamond Head, last photo of this trip. |
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| Crawling black crabs, darting in and out of the rocks, everywhere on the western shore rocks. |
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| Eastern mountain range, toward Pearl Harbor and the Honolulu Airport, west of Waikiki Beach. |
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| Theresa, our beach walk finished, ready to grab luggage and rental car. |
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| The Royal Hawaiian's beautiful pool/hot tub area which we never used because we loved all the ocean activity and sun. |
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| Royal Hawaiaan's Main Entrance Canopy Area, waiting for rental car (last photo!). |
In Honolulu, the weather was sunny and low 80's. In Lexington, it is drizzling rain and 68 degrees. But I am HOME at last! I felt like kissing the floor in the Lexington airport!
Even though I had the trip of a lifetime, it was very, very good to get back to the familiar comforts of home. My son, John, was very happy to see me, as I was very happy to see him. It didn't take me long to pull out some of the souvenirs I brought him from Pearl Harbor. Oh, there were a few bills - nothing overdue. There was a big stack of newspapers - the best news was the new royal baby of Kate and William in England. Everything outside was greener than ever. Rain is projected for the next few days. Good, I can sit inside and plan the rest of my life! Mahalo, Hawaii!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Aloha, Hawaii, Mahalo! (Hawaii #8, July 26, 2013)
"Mahalo" is the first new word we learned in the Hawaiian language and the one we heard most often. It means "thank you."
Mahalo, Hawaii, for the friendliest people on the face of the earth! We were called 'cousins' by many natives.
Mahalo, Hawaii, for unique, craggy mountains, always dominating any landscape, always kissed by the clouds.
Mahalo, Hawaii, for the most flowers per square inch on the planet. How could anyone be grumpy in this land?
Mahalo, Hawaii, for the continuous procession of the waves, for the excitement we've enjoyed in the midst of them in the ocean.
Mahalo, Hawaii, for the intense pride you feel for your rich history - unequaled in these United States. Who but you can boast of Kings and Queens as previous rulers?
Mahalo, Hawaii, for making us know we want to return in this blessed land!
Mahalo, Hawaii, for the friendliest people on the face of the earth! We were called 'cousins' by many natives.
Mahalo, Hawaii, for unique, craggy mountains, always dominating any landscape, always kissed by the clouds.
Mahalo, Hawaii, for the most flowers per square inch on the planet. How could anyone be grumpy in this land?
Mahalo, Hawaii, for the continuous procession of the waves, for the excitement we've enjoyed in the midst of them in the ocean.
Mahalo, Hawaii, for the intense pride you feel for your rich history - unequaled in these United States. Who but you can boast of Kings and Queens as previous rulers?
Mahalo, Hawaii, for making us know we want to return in this blessed land!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Life From Under a Beach Umbrella (Hawaii, #7, July 25, 2013)
This past week, Theresa and I have visited a lot of Hawaii sites and enjoyed ourselves tremendously! We have fit in varying amounts of 'beach time' daily. Today we decided to rent our beach umbrella and lounges early and spend the entire day on the beach.
We used gobs of sunscreen on our exposed body parts, SPF-100 for my pale skin and SPF-8 or -50 for Theresa's already tanned body.
Here was our world today:
Sights:
*Women and men on beach lounge chairs under umbrellas or on beach towels, sleeping, reading, watching everyone else or applying sunscreen to back and shoulders, children either in the water or coming out of the water but never still;
*Sailboats (there is a new color of sail today: pink!), catamarans (Those close to the shore are always rocking.), outrigger canoes, navy vessels, cruise ships, assorted boats;
*LOTS OF SAND!;
*Never-ending waves, getting taller with more foam as the day progresses to high tide around 3:30 p.m.;
*Para-sailors in the distance to the west;
*Hats: many different kinds of beach hats of all colors and sizes;
*Beach toys: fluorescent-colored inner tubes and other floating devices; balls of all sizes for throwing;
*Tiny bikinis, both female and male; most folks are covered up;
*Little birds hippity-hopping on the sand (are their claws hot?), large seagulls gracefully gliding high in the sky;
*Sand castles in various stages of building; several humans nearly covered with sand;
*The parade of people carrying Surfboards, some at their sides, several balanced on the top of heads, some with the ankle straps still attached to ankles; one with an ankle strap attached to his hand;
*Body art! an uncounted number of tattoo designs on various body parts;
Sounds:
*The Wind is stronger today; I have to wear my clear goggles to protect my eyes;
*Waves: closer up the hill to our chairs but never reaching them;
*Jet planes from the near-by airport, a distant roar; single-engine planes have a soft lazy hum; helicopters usually can't be heard unless close to the beach;
*Cell phones: occasionally one will ring;
*Conversations and children giggling, very pleasant.
Smells:
*only the saltwater!
Cutest sight today: a little Asian girl with clear plastic, inflated water wings on her arms, no older than three, had a little pitcher which she would fill with water at the shore and gleefully sprinkle on the sand castle her father was building.
The Black Pearl: for most of the week, a black pirate ship has daily sailed close to the beach. We tease and call it "The Black Pearl," Johnny Depp's pirate ship from the movies, "Pirates of the Caribbean." Where is it today?
Alas, we are packed tonight, ready to go to the airport tomorrow! Our Week in the Paradise of Hawaii has been the Best Vacation of Our Lives!
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| Diamond Head, Hawaii, as seen from under our beach umbrella: What, oh what, will we do tomorrow when we no longer have this wonderful view!! |
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| The very, very mellow Theresa. |
Here was our world today:
Sights:
*Women and men on beach lounge chairs under umbrellas or on beach towels, sleeping, reading, watching everyone else or applying sunscreen to back and shoulders, children either in the water or coming out of the water but never still;
*Sailboats (there is a new color of sail today: pink!), catamarans (Those close to the shore are always rocking.), outrigger canoes, navy vessels, cruise ships, assorted boats;
*LOTS OF SAND!;
*Never-ending waves, getting taller with more foam as the day progresses to high tide around 3:30 p.m.;
*Para-sailors in the distance to the west;
*Hats: many different kinds of beach hats of all colors and sizes;
*Beach toys: fluorescent-colored inner tubes and other floating devices; balls of all sizes for throwing;
*Tiny bikinis, both female and male; most folks are covered up;
*Little birds hippity-hopping on the sand (are their claws hot?), large seagulls gracefully gliding high in the sky;
*Sand castles in various stages of building; several humans nearly covered with sand;
*The parade of people carrying Surfboards, some at their sides, several balanced on the top of heads, some with the ankle straps still attached to ankles; one with an ankle strap attached to his hand;
*Body art! an uncounted number of tattoo designs on various body parts;
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| Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii. |
*The Wind is stronger today; I have to wear my clear goggles to protect my eyes;
*Waves: closer up the hill to our chairs but never reaching them;
*Jet planes from the near-by airport, a distant roar; single-engine planes have a soft lazy hum; helicopters usually can't be heard unless close to the beach;
*Cell phones: occasionally one will ring;
*Conversations and children giggling, very pleasant.
Smells:
*only the saltwater!
Cutest sight today: a little Asian girl with clear plastic, inflated water wings on her arms, no older than three, had a little pitcher which she would fill with water at the shore and gleefully sprinkle on the sand castle her father was building.
The Black Pearl: for most of the week, a black pirate ship has daily sailed close to the beach. We tease and call it "The Black Pearl," Johnny Depp's pirate ship from the movies, "Pirates of the Caribbean." Where is it today?
Theresa's Excellent Adventure
Theresa has been thinking seriously about an outrigger canoe ride all week. Today, she did it - in a big way! Captain Ted put Theresa in the lead seat of the 8-person craft, because she "could speak English!" The group paddled far beyond the beach area, turned around and caught a really good wave to glide quickly back to shore. She was so excited and worked so hard, captain and crew asked Theresa to help them for the next four trips. She loved it!
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| Theresa, the lead paddler, and group begin to leave the shore in the outrigger canoe. |
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| Now they are almost past Diamond Head. |
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| Surfing the Big Wave! |
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| The purple boat is backed into its place on shore. Theresa is the last to get out. |
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| Ah, that was hard work! Arms are sore from all that paddling! Time to rest. . . |
Miracle in Pearl Harbor (Hawaii #6, July 24, 2013)
After a pleasant morning soaking up the sun on our beach and enjoying the processions of surfers and ocean vessels, Theresa and I started out for Pearl Harbor. This National Historic site has been renamed "Valor in the Pacific National Monument" to honor not only those who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, but also those who died in World War II anywhere in the Pacific.
Weeks ago, I figured it would be wise to get tickets online for a tour long in advance of our trip to Hawaii. I was shocked to discover, "All Tours are SOLD OUT until August 21, 2013." Even though we knew we couldn't go out to the Arizona Monument, tour the Battleship Missouri, or Submarine Bowfin, Theresa and I decided we would still go to the park, tour the free museums, visit the gift shop, and just, in general, feel the atmosphere of the monuments.
As we joined the crowd to pass through the entrance gates, a gentleman approached us. He held tickets and hurriedly inquired, "Can you use tickets to the Arizona for 2:30? It's 2:20 now." Theresa asked him, "How much do you want for them?" He replied, "Nothing. I can't use them." We accepted the two treasured tickets, thanked him profusely, queued through the nearest gate and almost ran to "the last building on the right" to join the 2:30 boat group.
After a few steps, I was almost overcome with emotion. I mentioned to Theresa, "It's Grandpa. He wants us to go to the Arizona." A few more steps and I thought, "It's your Grandma, too." Then, when we were almost there, "I think Father Gino's praying for us, too."
The pleasant young park guide explained the order of events, "First, you'll see a movie through these doors. It's 30 minutes (long). Then you'll exit through the doors near the screen and board a launch which will take you out to the Arizona Monument."
The movie depicted the events leading up to World War II, the Japanese expansion into Asia, their incredible attack on the American Navy Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the American war effort. This brought back many memories to me. At one point, I prayed, "Please, I don't want to weep openly!" In my heart, I could see my dad, Reuben, in his khaki U.S. Army uniform, a young captain. I could see my beautiful dark-haired, young mother, Adeline, full of life, always smiling. I remembered my mom and grandma relating the hardships of rationing during the War, and the worry, with every sacrifice "for our boys" overseas.
Theresa commented, "Mom, I didn't know about any of this. We knew there was a battle in Pearl Harbor during the Second World War, but I didn't know anything else." I could hardly speak, but I relayed to her how my Uncle Robert served in Germany and my Dad served in China. During the war, there were no birthday celebrations because sugar was severely rationed, gasoline was rationed, many products were almost impossible to buy; everything went to "the boys" in the Armed Services, in terrible danger, trying to bring Peace to the world.
The mood of the people of many nations assembled to tour this monument was quiet and somber. This is, after all, a grave site. Theresa and I prayed, "Please, God, let us do what we can so this never happens again anywhere."
It was very, very good for me to see Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Monument. My dearly departed mom and dad, Adeline and Reuben, lived in Sacramento, California, U.S.A., from 1970 to 1990. Every year on their wedding anniversary, December 26, 1941, they would fly to Hawaii. Dad stayed at the Royal Hawaiian hotel, where I'm presently on the balcony of my room overlooking the beach, during World War II. This trip is more important to me than I had imagined before I came.
Our time was up, although we never felt rushed, and the 150 of our group again boarded a Navy launch to return to the main park. I was changed by this experience, and I imagine every adult, from the many nations represented, felt differently than before.
Pearl Harbor is still a Navy installation. It is comforting to me to see the row of great ships presently in use, and the planes flying now and then overhead, for our protection.
As we strolled from marker to marker, in the different sections of the park, Theresa and I talked about all the men in our family who have served in the U.S. Armed Services: Grandpa Reuben (Army - China) and Uncle Robert (Army - Germany), World War II; my brothers, Bob (Army), Steve, and Don (both Navy) in Vietnam; sons Billy and John (both Navy); brother-in-law, Mike (Air Force); nephews, Justin (both U.S. Navy and Irish Regiment of the British Army, killed in Afghanistan) and Cieran (Army, Iraq), and grandson, Rob (Army, Iraq). Presently, I have one son-in-law serving in the U.S. Navy. I am intensely proud of them all!
Since everyone listed above, over the course of many years, returned from war and peacetime, it was a severe shock to our family when Justin was killed in Afghanistan several years ago. We dare not ever forget that our FREEDOM was bought at a terrible price!
The draft never should have been ended!: that's my opinion. Every young man and woman should have two years to serve either in the military or Peace Corps. One of my daughters tried to join the Navy and go to West Point. She passed numerous interviews and tests. But when it came to the physical exam, her eyes were too bad, 'even for the exception.'
Our last stop was the Pearl Harbor gift shop. What a wonderful array of books, T-shirts, and other memorabilia there are! Theresa and I bought several items. The 5 o'clock closing time approached, so we left. The memories will be with us forever!
After freshening up at our hotel room, we next sought out a highly recommended restaurant in Honolulu, Ono's. We found it and had to shark around for a parking spot. The wait in line was approximately a half hour. We figured this was a good omen. The sign on the door told us to sit on the chairs and "No Get Mad"!
We were rewarded with an impressive table full of authentic Hawaiian dishes: pork, rice, salmon salad, onions, poi, beef jerky, various hot and mild sauces, with coconut custard for dessert. The kindly server told us, "I show you how to eat." There is a particular way to dip into the sauces. Yum!
Once back at our hotel, we saw that there was another level to the Royal Hawaiian/Sheraton Hotels' shopping mall. We went up and up! Turned out there are four levels to this quite large mall. Shops of every kind (mostly very expensive!) and restaurants tempted us. Then 'home' to our room again.
Weeks ago, I figured it would be wise to get tickets online for a tour long in advance of our trip to Hawaii. I was shocked to discover, "All Tours are SOLD OUT until August 21, 2013." Even though we knew we couldn't go out to the Arizona Monument, tour the Battleship Missouri, or Submarine Bowfin, Theresa and I decided we would still go to the park, tour the free museums, visit the gift shop, and just, in general, feel the atmosphere of the monuments.
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| Pearl Harbor, at last! |
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| Jan, at the Entrance. |
After a few steps, I was almost overcome with emotion. I mentioned to Theresa, "It's Grandpa. He wants us to go to the Arizona." A few more steps and I thought, "It's your Grandma, too." Then, when we were almost there, "I think Father Gino's praying for us, too."
The pleasant young park guide explained the order of events, "First, you'll see a movie through these doors. It's 30 minutes (long). Then you'll exit through the doors near the screen and board a launch which will take you out to the Arizona Monument."
The movie depicted the events leading up to World War II, the Japanese expansion into Asia, their incredible attack on the American Navy Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the American war effort. This brought back many memories to me. At one point, I prayed, "Please, I don't want to weep openly!" In my heart, I could see my dad, Reuben, in his khaki U.S. Army uniform, a young captain. I could see my beautiful dark-haired, young mother, Adeline, full of life, always smiling. I remembered my mom and grandma relating the hardships of rationing during the War, and the worry, with every sacrifice "for our boys" overseas.
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| Theresa, on board the launch, bound for the Arizona. |
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| Our beautiful United States of America flag proudly waves over the Arizona Monument. |
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| Battleship Missouri, viewed from Arizona Monument. |
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| The list of those 1,177 who died when the Battleship Arizona was attacked and sunk on December 7, 1941. It is hard to imagine the pain, the confusion, the noise, the smells, and the horror of the great ship being blasted apart! |
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| Jan and Theresa on the Arizona Monument: a kind German visitor took this photo. |
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| One of the stacks of the great vessel, above water. It is eerie to look into the water and see the outline of the submerged ship. |
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| Looking at the sky through the open ceiling of the Arizona Monument. |
It was very, very good for me to see Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Monument. My dearly departed mom and dad, Adeline and Reuben, lived in Sacramento, California, U.S.A., from 1970 to 1990. Every year on their wedding anniversary, December 26, 1941, they would fly to Hawaii. Dad stayed at the Royal Hawaiian hotel, where I'm presently on the balcony of my room overlooking the beach, during World War II. This trip is more important to me than I had imagined before I came.
Our time was up, although we never felt rushed, and the 150 of our group again boarded a Navy launch to return to the main park. I was changed by this experience, and I imagine every adult, from the many nations represented, felt differently than before.
Pearl Harbor is still a Navy installation. It is comforting to me to see the row of great ships presently in use, and the planes flying now and then overhead, for our protection.
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| The impressive row of Navy ships presently in Pearl Harbor. |
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| A helicopter circles the Arizona Monument. |
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| This section of the park shows every Navy vessel lost at sea during World War II, and lists the names of those who died. U.S.S. Bowfin submarine in background. |
Since everyone listed above, over the course of many years, returned from war and peacetime, it was a severe shock to our family when Justin was killed in Afghanistan several years ago. We dare not ever forget that our FREEDOM was bought at a terrible price!
The draft never should have been ended!: that's my opinion. Every young man and woman should have two years to serve either in the military or Peace Corps. One of my daughters tried to join the Navy and go to West Point. She passed numerous interviews and tests. But when it came to the physical exam, her eyes were too bad, 'even for the exception.'
Our last stop was the Pearl Harbor gift shop. What a wonderful array of books, T-shirts, and other memorabilia there are! Theresa and I bought several items. The 5 o'clock closing time approached, so we left. The memories will be with us forever!
After freshening up at our hotel room, we next sought out a highly recommended restaurant in Honolulu, Ono's. We found it and had to shark around for a parking spot. The wait in line was approximately a half hour. We figured this was a good omen. The sign on the door told us to sit on the chairs and "No Get Mad"!
We were rewarded with an impressive table full of authentic Hawaiian dishes: pork, rice, salmon salad, onions, poi, beef jerky, various hot and mild sauces, with coconut custard for dessert. The kindly server told us, "I show you how to eat." There is a particular way to dip into the sauces. Yum!
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| Ono's in Honolulu, Hawaii, outside entrance. |
Once back at our hotel, we saw that there was another level to the Royal Hawaiian/Sheraton Hotels' shopping mall. We went up and up! Turned out there are four levels to this quite large mall. Shops of every kind (mostly very expensive!) and restaurants tempted us. Then 'home' to our room again.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Palace Adventures (Hawaii #5, July 23, 2013)
Another beautiful, sunny day, waking up to the sounds of waves crashing on the beach! Our goal today: tour Iolani Palace. We opted for the audio tour, with easy-to-listen-to headphones, progressing from room to room. What we did not expect was the magnificence of the palace and the importance of the last monarch, King Kalahaua.
King Kalahaua built the palace at a tremendous cost, $340,000 at the time. It was completed in 1882. This palace had electric lights even before the United States White House! Built by Thomas Edison, the electric system was self-contained in the palace and, as a result, there were no off-on switches. The king had a private telephone system over which he could communicate with his primary officials. The telephone is on the wall of his office.
There are many other interesting, singular facts about King Kalahaua. He was elected king in 1873. At the beginning of his reign, King Kalahaua was the first monarch to tour the world, a trip taking seven months. He wanted to meet other monarchs and learn how to rule his subjects well. There seemed to be a constant battle with his legislature to limit his powers. He and Queen Kapi'olani had no children. The king journeyed to San Francisco in hopes of a cure for his strange illness but died there in January of 1891. Since there was no telegraph service to Hawaii at that time, the Queen and Hawaiian people only learned of his death when they saw the United States ship enter their harbor draped in black. There is a sad photograph of the Queen dressed in black, draped over the King's coffin which is also draped in black.
With no heirs, King Kalahaua's sister, Lili'uokilani, succeeded him but the government was soon overthrown in 1893 and the monarchy ended. Queen Kapi'olani was imprisoned in one room of the palace for nine months. What a sad ending to a long-serving family!
After Theresa and I toured the first and second floors, we went to the basement. Displayed were the crown jewels and jewelry, family portraits of the royalty, and other artifacts. The immense kitchen occupied the central part. Around the periphery were offices and storerooms. We were quite impressed both with the efficiency and grandeur. Apparently, no expense was spared in this 'house!'
Back on our room's balcony, we count a total of sixteen boats on the horizon. Two are cruise ships, white, sleek and fast. One is too obscure to classify. The rest are sailboats, all thirteen of them. Their sails are unfurled, all beautiful and most are colorful. They glide slowly, gracefully. Would it be a waste of a life just to watch the boats pass by on this balcony? Nevermind, I dare not be tempted to go there!
Close to our hotel, a short walk in the sand on the beach, is a restaurant called Duke's. It was named after a famous Hawaiian Olympic athlete. Duke's is extremely big, busy, loud, packed with hungry people. It is first-come-first-serve. A kindly young waiter advises us, "Just look for a table with bills and credit cards out. Ask them if you can have their table when they leave. It's the only way you'll get a table." Fortunately for the two of us, this didn't take long.
Our meal was quite tasty. I enjoyed mac chicken (chicken breast with crushed macademia nut crust), rice, and macaroni salad. Theresa had a bacon cheeseburger with waffle fries. Our drinks were "Lava Flows", a pineapple/strawberry/rum smoothie type with a thin wedge of pineapple. They were very pretty! As usual, we could people-watch and boat-watch, just for fun.
With a bit of shopping on the way through the labrynthe of the mall back to the hotel accomplished, we had enjoyed another Day in Paradise, Praise the Lord!!
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| Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Hawaii. |
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| Royal crest on entrance gate, Iolani Palace. |
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| King Kalahaua's Office. |
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| My favorite room, the Blue Room. |
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| The Grand Staircase led to the family rooms upstairs. Throughout the house are many native Hawaiian woods and imported woods. Portraits of previous reigning monarchs and queens adorn the walls of this large entrance hall. In contrast to other grand residences, there is no hidden entrance for servants. All used this staircase. |
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| The Throne Room is the largest room in the palace. Dignitaries were received with great ceremony. On the walls are Hawaiian crests and those of many other nations. Many costly gifts from other monarchs such as statues and vases from China are in the Entrance Hall and Throne Room. (Please note the red and yellow "standards" on both sides of the thrones. They were used to shield the king for his subjects. If they passed near enough to get in his shadow, in old times, the legend says, they would be killed. Compare them to the standards on the sides of Christ The King's altar at St. Augustine by-the-sea church in the blog entry of Sunday, July 21st.) |
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| A unique practice: the King sat in the middle of one side of the table so he could converse with all the guests. The table service was as grand as those of any other monarch or ruler in the world. |
There are many other interesting, singular facts about King Kalahaua. He was elected king in 1873. At the beginning of his reign, King Kalahaua was the first monarch to tour the world, a trip taking seven months. He wanted to meet other monarchs and learn how to rule his subjects well. There seemed to be a constant battle with his legislature to limit his powers. He and Queen Kapi'olani had no children. The king journeyed to San Francisco in hopes of a cure for his strange illness but died there in January of 1891. Since there was no telegraph service to Hawaii at that time, the Queen and Hawaiian people only learned of his death when they saw the United States ship enter their harbor draped in black. There is a sad photograph of the Queen dressed in black, draped over the King's coffin which is also draped in black.
With no heirs, King Kalahaua's sister, Lili'uokilani, succeeded him but the government was soon overthrown in 1893 and the monarchy ended. Queen Kapi'olani was imprisoned in one room of the palace for nine months. What a sad ending to a long-serving family!
After Theresa and I toured the first and second floors, we went to the basement. Displayed were the crown jewels and jewelry, family portraits of the royalty, and other artifacts. The immense kitchen occupied the central part. Around the periphery were offices and storerooms. We were quite impressed both with the efficiency and grandeur. Apparently, no expense was spared in this 'house!'
The Big Surprise (Shock!)
As we leisurely strolled toward the gates of the palace, we were greeted by a strange sight: there were no cars parked on the street in front of the palace, including our rental car! Rush hour on the busy five-lane, one-way street was in full swing. On the sidewalk there was a group of six other American tourists with the same problem: our cars had been towed! This is a common problem for tourists, we were told.
One woman informed the rest of us what we were supposed to do: call '911!' Theresa did that. Long story short, minus the drama: had to take cab to hotel, retrieve rental car contract, continue in cab to tow company, pay ridiculous fee to retrieve car with police parking ticket neatly tucked under the windshield wipers.
Moral of the story: notice "Tow Zone after 3:30 pm" signs!
Of Sailboats
Dinner at Duke's Canoe Club
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| Theresa and Jan at Duke's |
Our meal was quite tasty. I enjoyed mac chicken (chicken breast with crushed macademia nut crust), rice, and macaroni salad. Theresa had a bacon cheeseburger with waffle fries. Our drinks were "Lava Flows", a pineapple/strawberry/rum smoothie type with a thin wedge of pineapple. They were very pretty! As usual, we could people-watch and boat-watch, just for fun.
With a bit of shopping on the way through the labrynthe of the mall back to the hotel accomplished, we had enjoyed another Day in Paradise, Praise the Lord!!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
My Heart is Touched to the Core! (Hawaii #4, July 22, 2013)
6:30 a.m. in Hawaii, Monday: the sky is cloudy and gray, the water is gray, dozens of surfers are waiting for that strong wave. We have no early plans for today so I can take my time eating a simple breakfast of coffee and croissants. I'm in my pajamas, on the balcony, taking in the panorama of sea, sky, and beach. The waves are definitely taller this morning; the more skilled surfers are able to ride a good wave for up to 10 or 20 seconds.
One large grey Navy ship is heading east. A "Matson" cargo ship is also heading east, more slowly. The familiar black/red/yellow striped helicopter is circling around and around Waikiki Beach. Seagulls are playing high in the sky. We wonder why there don't seem to be as many seagulls on this beach as there are on east coast American beaches. There are quite a number and variety of the smaller birds in evidence.
Several white yachts ply the waters. An outrigger canoe heads out from the shore. With four paddlers, they are quite swift. Sailboats are out far from the shore without their sails unfurled. Another Navy ship is heading west, toward Pearl Harbor. They are the quickest of the ships. (And don't we want them to be the fastest!!)
There is a huge white cruise ship, the kind we see in TV ads frequently, and also in the (bad) news . I wish I had thought to bring binoculars. I can't see the name of the ship.
After a leisurely bath and getting dressed, I slap on the sunscreen (SPF-100), and head out into the shopping area. My goal this morning is to walk back to St. Augustine-on-the-sea church to visit the museum, "Damien and Marianne of Moloka'i Heritage Center", featuring "Absolute Faith," an exhibit of exemplary courage and faith. This is located in a building in front of the church, on the second floor of a store.
The streets and sidewalks are alive with tourists and vehicles at 8:30 a.m. The sun is hot but the breeze is stronger. Yet, I walk on the shady side of the street. The museum is a cool relief!
A kind, friendly Franciscan nun welcomes me to the museum and asks if I'd like to view "the 7-minute video." Oh, yes! The video relates the story of Father Damien, a Belgian priest who came to the Hawaiian Island of Moloka'i in the mid-19th century to care for the lepers. How tragic that, at that time, there was no cure for leprosy (Hansen's Disease). Any person found with the typical disfiguring leprous lesions on the skin was shipped off to this island with no provision for return home. Father Damien found the leper colony in deplorable condition. A young priest, he labored for twenty years or so, building houses, a hospital, burying the dead, bringing order and a sense of peace and happiness to the afflicted.
Then Father Damien contracted leprosy. The Catholic bishops of Hawaii and the United States put out a call for more help for the colony. Sister Marianne, a young 26-year-old nun from New York, answered the call and brought six other nuns with her. She founded several hospitals in Hawaii and nursed Father Damien until his death. As a nurse, I cannot imagine the primitive conditions under which those caring for lepers labored. The bacteria causing leprosy is in the same class as the tough bacteria which causes tuberculosis. Praise God that we have discovered cures for these horrible diseases!
The museum displays some artifacts and quite a few large photos of the patients and their families. We are not permitted to photograph these. There is also a very nice gift shop. I purchase a crucifix and book about Sister Marianne, "A Walk With Saint Marianne Cope of Moloka'i: Reflections and inspirations from her life for our living." Both Father Damien and Sister Marianne were officially declared Saints of the Catholic Church under the papacy of Pope John Paul II.
Everywhere I travel, it has long been my practice to buy a cross or a crucifix. I have one large wall in my bedroom dedicated as my "Jesus Wall." It quite inspires me daily at home. I used to be able to tell you exactly where and when I bought each one. Now my memory fails me on the oldest ones. FYI: a crucifix is different from a cross in that a crucifix has a replica of the body of Christ on it. I am pleased with this latest addition.
On the way back to the hotel, I duck into several interesting shops and pick up some small souvenirs and also sandwiches for lunch. We don't always have to eat out! I also see new birds: very large multi-colored parrots, up close and personal. They are quite magnificent!
The most time in a store today I spent turned out to be in Hawaiian Quilts Collection in our hotel shopping area. The store offers large and small quilted items in Hawaiian patterns. I love hand-crafted, hand-quilted items. I aspire to be a quilter like my grandmother Marie was. I have quilted one piece, a pillow. It took me so long to finish that I have no hope of ever completing a whole bed quilt! I bought a yellow and white pineapple-patterned pillow cover and a Christmas ornament. As the clerk and I were chatting, I found out that she had lived in Owensboro, Kentucky, at one time. She knows the Lexington area. Small world!
Our next challenge today is to buy a new camera. My faithful old camera finally gave up. Theresa and I get into the rental car and try to find Office Depot. Even with internet direction and her phone's GPS, it is a frustrating process! The streets are crowded, unfamiliar, with so many one-ways that we have a difficult time. Finally we find Office Depot and the camera I want is not in stock.
Next challenge: find the nearest Wal-mart (God bless America and God bless Wal-marts!). This also is nearly impossible to find. We are, of course, used to giant SuperStores with equally super parking lots. We cannot imagine where there would be a huge Wal-mart in this crowded city of skyscrapers. It is there: an immense Wal-mart/Sam's Club store with its own multi-story parking garage! We've never seen such a set-up. However, our search is rewarded: a suitable Nikon "Coolpix" camera is in stock. The well-informed native Hawaiian clerk explains its functions well and we are on our way back to the hotel. We are under pressure to arrive back in time to be picked up for our next adventure: The Luau!
At 3:45 p.m. we climb up on a very fine bus for a one-hour trip north to Paradise Cove. Our tour guide, a native Hawaiian young woman, Hama, is very efficient, very friendly and manages to have us all knowing each other before we reach Paradise Cove. We have met so many fine folks from all over the world during this trip. Yesterday, our favorites were a family from Australia, here in Hawaii 'for a month, by way of New York.' Today we get acquainted with a family from Texas, associated with a university there.
As the evening unfolds, we are rewarded by an unequaled view of a glorious Hawaiian sunset behind breathtaking tropical coastal views. Before dinner, we experience our choice of different activities: learning to paddle a canoe (we watch), learning to throw a spear (Theresa participates), learning to make a lei bracelet (we both do this, happily), listening to the native Hawaiian musicians and singers, watching demonstrations of hula dancing (Theresa goes for it!) and shopping. I buy a pair of wooden "Island Pineapple Salad Hands."
There are nearly 1,000 in attendance at this Luau tonight in Paradise Cove. We are summoned to the amphitheater by a loud conch shell horn. The roast pig is dug out of the pit, lifted onto a pallet, and carried on the circular walkway by two very strong men walking very fast. The wonderful scent makes us realize how hungry we are.
Now we all proceed to the table and buffet area. There are Hawaiian dishes and American dishes such as fried chicken. I try the coconut custard for dessert - it is delicately tasty. Next comes the show we have been anticipating, the dancers, singers, and musicians. It is dark now.
It is impossible to convey the beauty and professional expertise of the native dancers, musicians, and singers. This is an intense experience of centuries-old culture from the Pacific Islands. I am touched to my heart with the passionate love for Hawaii and America from all the Native Hawaiians I have talked with or listened to! They are both proud of their history and proud to be Americans!
(So sorry I'm a slow learner with the new camera and couldn't even figure out the 'zoom' function!)
The grand finale of the show was a native Fire Dancer. This energetic young man defied gravity, safety, and common sense. I didn't even attempt to capture a photograph. The moves with one or two sticks with up to the four ends of the sticks on fire, tossed in the air or twirling in many positions were wonderful! I don't understand how it was possible to not set himself on fire but he was amazing!
After the fine show, the crowd slowly finds their buses for the trip back to Honolulu. We are pleasantly tired. When we're very close to the city, Hama entertains us with a hula dance to native music. It is a religious experience.
One large grey Navy ship is heading east. A "Matson" cargo ship is also heading east, more slowly. The familiar black/red/yellow striped helicopter is circling around and around Waikiki Beach. Seagulls are playing high in the sky. We wonder why there don't seem to be as many seagulls on this beach as there are on east coast American beaches. There are quite a number and variety of the smaller birds in evidence.
Several white yachts ply the waters. An outrigger canoe heads out from the shore. With four paddlers, they are quite swift. Sailboats are out far from the shore without their sails unfurled. Another Navy ship is heading west, toward Pearl Harbor. They are the quickest of the ships. (And don't we want them to be the fastest!!)
There is a huge white cruise ship, the kind we see in TV ads frequently, and also in the (bad) news . I wish I had thought to bring binoculars. I can't see the name of the ship.
After a leisurely bath and getting dressed, I slap on the sunscreen (SPF-100), and head out into the shopping area. My goal this morning is to walk back to St. Augustine-on-the-sea church to visit the museum, "Damien and Marianne of Moloka'i Heritage Center", featuring "Absolute Faith," an exhibit of exemplary courage and faith. This is located in a building in front of the church, on the second floor of a store.
The streets and sidewalks are alive with tourists and vehicles at 8:30 a.m. The sun is hot but the breeze is stronger. Yet, I walk on the shady side of the street. The museum is a cool relief!
A kind, friendly Franciscan nun welcomes me to the museum and asks if I'd like to view "the 7-minute video." Oh, yes! The video relates the story of Father Damien, a Belgian priest who came to the Hawaiian Island of Moloka'i in the mid-19th century to care for the lepers. How tragic that, at that time, there was no cure for leprosy (Hansen's Disease). Any person found with the typical disfiguring leprous lesions on the skin was shipped off to this island with no provision for return home. Father Damien found the leper colony in deplorable condition. A young priest, he labored for twenty years or so, building houses, a hospital, burying the dead, bringing order and a sense of peace and happiness to the afflicted.
Then Father Damien contracted leprosy. The Catholic bishops of Hawaii and the United States put out a call for more help for the colony. Sister Marianne, a young 26-year-old nun from New York, answered the call and brought six other nuns with her. She founded several hospitals in Hawaii and nursed Father Damien until his death. As a nurse, I cannot imagine the primitive conditions under which those caring for lepers labored. The bacteria causing leprosy is in the same class as the tough bacteria which causes tuberculosis. Praise God that we have discovered cures for these horrible diseases!
The museum displays some artifacts and quite a few large photos of the patients and their families. We are not permitted to photograph these. There is also a very nice gift shop. I purchase a crucifix and book about Sister Marianne, "A Walk With Saint Marianne Cope of Moloka'i: Reflections and inspirations from her life for our living." Both Father Damien and Sister Marianne were officially declared Saints of the Catholic Church under the papacy of Pope John Paul II.
Everywhere I travel, it has long been my practice to buy a cross or a crucifix. I have one large wall in my bedroom dedicated as my "Jesus Wall." It quite inspires me daily at home. I used to be able to tell you exactly where and when I bought each one. Now my memory fails me on the oldest ones. FYI: a crucifix is different from a cross in that a crucifix has a replica of the body of Christ on it. I am pleased with this latest addition.
On the way back to the hotel, I duck into several interesting shops and pick up some small souvenirs and also sandwiches for lunch. We don't always have to eat out! I also see new birds: very large multi-colored parrots, up close and personal. They are quite magnificent!
The most time in a store today I spent turned out to be in Hawaiian Quilts Collection in our hotel shopping area. The store offers large and small quilted items in Hawaiian patterns. I love hand-crafted, hand-quilted items. I aspire to be a quilter like my grandmother Marie was. I have quilted one piece, a pillow. It took me so long to finish that I have no hope of ever completing a whole bed quilt! I bought a yellow and white pineapple-patterned pillow cover and a Christmas ornament. As the clerk and I were chatting, I found out that she had lived in Owensboro, Kentucky, at one time. She knows the Lexington area. Small world!
Our next challenge today is to buy a new camera. My faithful old camera finally gave up. Theresa and I get into the rental car and try to find Office Depot. Even with internet direction and her phone's GPS, it is a frustrating process! The streets are crowded, unfamiliar, with so many one-ways that we have a difficult time. Finally we find Office Depot and the camera I want is not in stock.
Next challenge: find the nearest Wal-mart (God bless America and God bless Wal-marts!). This also is nearly impossible to find. We are, of course, used to giant SuperStores with equally super parking lots. We cannot imagine where there would be a huge Wal-mart in this crowded city of skyscrapers. It is there: an immense Wal-mart/Sam's Club store with its own multi-story parking garage! We've never seen such a set-up. However, our search is rewarded: a suitable Nikon "Coolpix" camera is in stock. The well-informed native Hawaiian clerk explains its functions well and we are on our way back to the hotel. We are under pressure to arrive back in time to be picked up for our next adventure: The Luau!
At 3:45 p.m. we climb up on a very fine bus for a one-hour trip north to Paradise Cove. Our tour guide, a native Hawaiian young woman, Hama, is very efficient, very friendly and manages to have us all knowing each other before we reach Paradise Cove. We have met so many fine folks from all over the world during this trip. Yesterday, our favorites were a family from Australia, here in Hawaii 'for a month, by way of New York.' Today we get acquainted with a family from Texas, associated with a university there.
As the evening unfolds, we are rewarded by an unequaled view of a glorious Hawaiian sunset behind breathtaking tropical coastal views. Before dinner, we experience our choice of different activities: learning to paddle a canoe (we watch), learning to throw a spear (Theresa participates), learning to make a lei bracelet (we both do this, happily), listening to the native Hawaiian musicians and singers, watching demonstrations of hula dancing (Theresa goes for it!) and shopping. I buy a pair of wooden "Island Pineapple Salad Hands."
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| Canoe instructions, Paradise Cove, Hawaii. |
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| Theresa lands her first spear! |
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| Jan and the Tiki Guy. |
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| Theresa learns hula dancing moves. |
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| The Roast Pig is in the center, buried, ready for "Presentation." |
Now we all proceed to the table and buffet area. There are Hawaiian dishes and American dishes such as fried chicken. I try the coconut custard for dessert - it is delicately tasty. Next comes the show we have been anticipating, the dancers, singers, and musicians. It is dark now.
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| Paradise Cove Show, on stage. |
(So sorry I'm a slow learner with the new camera and couldn't even figure out the 'zoom' function!)
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| Theresa volunteered to get on stage and hula dance with the others! (I couldn't find her either!) |
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| Theresa displays her "Certificate of Accomplishment" in Hula Dancing. |
After the fine show, the crowd slowly finds their buses for the trip back to Honolulu. We are pleasantly tired. When we're very close to the city, Hama entertains us with a hula dance to native music. It is a religious experience.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Cruisin' Around (Hawaii #3, July 21, 2013)
Today, Sunday, is a glorious Lord's Day! Theresa started out the day early by walking a mile to the east end of Waikiki Beach, trying to watch the sunrise. Diamond Head was blocking the view of the sun rising over the ocean so she came back to our hotel room disappointed. We opted for room service for breakfast, the same fine meal we had yesterday, to save time.
When we were ready for 10 a.m. Mass, we walked another mile to St. Augustine by-the-sea Catholic church. Our worship service was wonderful, due to the thoughtful, inspiring manner of the priest, the beautiful song-leading, and the friendliness of the congregation. The lector, the first person to announce information at the beginning of the Mass, was sensitive to the fact that there were many of us tourists in the pews and explained several things regarding the manner of communion reception that were useful to us. There were so many there that both side aisles were lined with people in addition to all the pews filled! I remembered that in every Catholic church in the entire world, the readings and prayers of the Mass are identical today and every day, that each is able to hear it in his or her own language.
After another mile walk back to the hotel, we were ready to retrieve our sunscreen and take the rental car out of parking. Our first stop: the Dole Pineapple Plantation. The huge farm was a much bigger attraction than we had anticipated. There was a large restaurant and gift shop, train ride, and garden to view. We ate lunch and bought tickets for the train ride. The wait was long and hot but it was worth it. We learned much about pineapples, Mr. Dole, the founder of the plantation, and other farm products. When we were finished, we went back to the restaurant for pineapple whipped ice cream in a waffle cone. It had a 'spear' of pineapple stuck in the top. What a treat on a blistering hot day!
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| This friendly bird was ready to help us eat breakfast on the balcony. We suggested that he needed to join his friends elsewhere! |
When we were ready for 10 a.m. Mass, we walked another mile to St. Augustine by-the-sea Catholic church. Our worship service was wonderful, due to the thoughtful, inspiring manner of the priest, the beautiful song-leading, and the friendliness of the congregation. The lector, the first person to announce information at the beginning of the Mass, was sensitive to the fact that there were many of us tourists in the pews and explained several things regarding the manner of communion reception that were useful to us. There were so many there that both side aisles were lined with people in addition to all the pews filled! I remembered that in every Catholic church in the entire world, the readings and prayers of the Mass are identical today and every day, that each is able to hear it in his or her own language.
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| Altar at St. Augustine by-the-sea Catholic church, Honolulu, Hawaii. |
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| Jan in front of St. Augustine's statue. |
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| See how pineapples grow: on a long, sturdy stem. |
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| Theresa, the little Pineapple Hula Dancer! |
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| Jan waits for the train ride to start. |
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| View of Tanada Reservoir and the nearby mountains at the Dole Plantation. |
The train ride was fun and educational. We saw banana palms, date palms, and coconut palms. There also were coffee bushes and sugar cane plants.
Next, we headed for the north shore of Hawaii. We were told that's where the best surfing was (surfing for us to watch, that is!). There are no great distances on the island of Hawaii and we were at the north shore in a very short time. The narrow two-lane road to Ehukai Beach Park, where the Banzai Pipeline, or very big waves are, was extremely crowded, bumper-to-bumper. We plodded along and found a parking place. There were not only no big waves, there were hardly any surfers, just several families picnicking and a T-shirt sales table. Theresa googled the Banzai Pipeline and discovered that the giant waves occur in November to February. Nevermind! This is no way diminished our island drive! The most glorious sight for us both, we agreed, were the rugged mountains and the small villages along the road.
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| Jan at Ehukai Beach with a calm sea in the background. It was extremely windy. The goggles save my dry eyes! |
Driving a short distance more on Highway #83, we were surprised to see a different kind of farm, a windmill farm.
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| A windmill farm, north shore, Hawaii. |
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| Eastern shore scenery, Hawaii, rugged and breath-taking! |
The mountains along the Eastern shore are tall and so full of deep, natural cuts in the volcanic rock that they are mostly uninhabitable. FYI: There are 152 islands comprising the Hawaiian islands. Several are so small they are only visible at low tide. Most are uninhabitable but add to the grandeur of the Hawaiian mountains and beaches.
We passed the large Polynesian Cultural Center but it was closed on Sundays. We hope to return to it another day. Our plan was to drive the entire eastern shore, see a lighthouse east of Diamond Head and return to Honolulu. It seems to get dark early in Hawaii. Night just 'drops' around 8 o'clock! We didn't want to navigate the narrow two-lane roads in the nighttime and opted for a super-highway close to Pearl Harbor past the airport directly to Honolulu and our hotel. After a fine Italian dinner by candlelight and torchlight at a nearby eatery, we have retired for the night to the sounds of gentle waves on the beach in front of the hotel.
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