whatever the problem, love is the answer

Someone just reminded me of this all-to-oft quoted phrase, "whatever the problem, love is the answer". I'm sure it nears a high level of statistics for top sound bite or meme for when shit-hits-the-fan situation involving most anything at this time in our lives. I should do a collocation search on this theory... Hmmm

When I think back to past summers, the past few years I've had a book or two I was reading that can be associated with that summer. Take last summer for example. As I was preparing to leave Bahrain I picked up a copy of Shantaram from the BSPCA thrift shop (Bahrain SPCA). First this is incredible because to buy books written in English in the Middle East (as well as Turkey or anywhere else in the region) is super expensive and also because it had been a title I've been wanting to read for quite a few years. Winning.  Usually when thrifting, you (I) always buy books but they are not necessarily titles that were 'on or near the top of my wish list'. I did buy a lot of books at that shop, but Shantaram stands out.

I believe it took me most of the summer to finish the novel, but it I was thrown back into the mix immediately upon returning to my last known read paragraph. India was on my radar because there were so many south Indians that lived in Bahrain so I was always exposed to foods, culture and other things Indian.  I had perhaps my most inspiring yoga teacher ever in Bahrain. I had the best and cheapest Indian food of my life in Bahrain. And I had so many pleasant encounters with Indians from all around their Subcontinent that it surely has endeared me to India and its people forever. It has in fact moved high up in position on my bucket list from my experiences in Bahrain. 

There is also an India that I think of when I think about my time growing up and growing wise on Maui.  Many of my friends had traveled there or was soon to. Friends of mine were of Indian descent as well. Whenever I think to these times on Maui, I think of how good it was living there and the spiritual enlightenment we were all going through and processing living there.  I think about Mana Foods (health food store in Paia) and how lucky we were to be able to shop there (and find a coveted parking spot as well). I think about yoga classes on Maui.  I think to all the times that I was living a pretty pure life with all these gifts I mention that, along with the natural beauty of Maui, created this elixir of life that is unbeatable- so far as I can tell from living in various places before and since Hawaii.  Not that India was a daily awareness of mine there, but i always felt some sense of wondering if my way of life on Maui was in any way similar to friends' experiences traveling there.

I guess I mean to say that I've always thought about India, and more recently Sri Lanka, as a place that could possibly have some sort of duplicity for my life as experienced on Maui; quality food, yoga, beach, warm weather, cheap fruit! At various times on Maui I'd be out with friends and someone would invariably be currently reading Shantaram. I think you are beginning to get the idea; India had some sort of pecking order in my life- regardless if I knew/know it or not. I'm not sure if I even understand what I've written in the past few paragraphs, but forage ahead I must...

Shantaram; it was nothing of the India that I have envisioned throughout my life, but I always knew existed. While reading, I was on various continents and in various countries.  I morphed along as the book was progressing; morphing in its own way independently yet contemporaneously.  There were parallels it felt.  I sensed a deep connection with the books characters and interactions. I don't care to get literal here and delve into the story-line, etc. You can look that up at your leisure.  I simply want to describe the interaction I had with this book and how it relates to last summer for me, for no particular reason.  There is no end point to this story here. I suppose only to say that it was somehow akin to a milestone in my life that perhaps I wasn't even aware of. 

I think fondly back to that book; those pages dog-eared to death (mostly because it took me months to finish it). I think about all the various things I used as a book marker as well and all the notes I took while reading that meant something in that moment. I also think back to the social media moments I experienced through posting about that book.  I heard from quite a few people who I haven't heard from in a long time and only keep in contact with through Facebook.  Some people commented about it I haven't even met yet, whose friendship only extends through cyber-space.  All these 'achievements' I write about is what I think about when thinking about Shantaram and last summer!

This summer my 'book' was "Birds Without Wings" by Louis de Bernières. I started this book in Kas on the Turkish Mediterranean when I was backpacking and camping in the spring.  I bought it at this bookstore I remember from my previous sojourn to Kas. You all that know me know that I almost always buy a book when traveling and many times it is about the history about the area, etc. My time spent reading that book consisted of beaches, boats, buses, airplanes, camping on beaches, hanging out at my campsite, etc. That book covered Turkey and Greece in Turkey and Greece. I feel connected to the soil of each place in reading that book- especially considering the sensitivities of the book's contents.

Annotations and anecdotes litter the pages now. Solo_ojo, whom received the book afterwards, likely is currently sifting his way through the book story-line, and my story-line on the sidelines. I immediately knew that he would be receiving this book afterwards so I started my story to him through the margins. I think about the trajectory, the lifeline of that book and where it will travel to; whose hands will turn the dog-eared pages, what countries or coffee shops or hostels or beaches will become a part of THAT book- all this, it stimulates me for some reason that I can't really describe. I'm not sure why. I'm not sure I need to. 

I thought that book would be THE summer book, but it's over, and I've moved on.  I didn't think I would. I remember thinking while reading how affected I was; how the book moved me; how I kept turning pages devouring the words with my eyes. I was so devoted to that book...

Now the seeds has been planted. A new book is rising from my cyber-social media spaces. There has been enough chatter about Ulysses from the oracle known as my Facebook page that I am compelled to search out (a free or cheap copy...).  Could it be due to "Brexit"?  I don't think so. Could it be a result of my time in Greece recently and the association with Odysseus (more association than one there folks)? I don't think so.

Speaking of Odysseus... it was he who reminded me of that oft-quoted phrase, "whatever the problem, love is the answer". He told me this morning in fact, when I needed to hear it the most. Anyone who knows of current news inside Turkey will know the context of my cryptic message here... 

Sometimes I forget love is the answer. Sometimes, after some time you think you know some things and can comment on these things you go ahead and do so.  Sometimes, though, it is not your place to do so- or with such authority. So one backs away and retracts to the comfort of one's den, as a predatory animal does when needing seclusion and in need of concealment. 

If you need me, I'm in my den pondering what does it all mean... Do I love books? Am I in love with the place I go to when reading books? 

What day is it?

Tuesday salutations,

So a lot has been on my mind lately and I've been internalizing it so to make it real, I'll externalize it- with this post...

Being back on Maui: Let's see, here is yesterday's recap: Get up 8:30 am & have coffee with Simone.  She, reluctantly, leaves for work. I pitter-patter around her house doing various chores- put her laundry in the dryer, make breakfast (yogurt and granola) and figure out my day. My day:

figure out how to get to Kihei from Makawao to pick up moped- or 'scooter' as Simone, apparently, correctly refers to it. Hitchhike. Got it- in 3 rides:

1.  ride from nice woman going to Mana Foods in Paia. She is a massage therapist. We exchange conversation about events in Turkey/Middle East/ US. While in Paia I check post office box for AMEX, renewed Hawaii driver's license, and BOH debit card. Then I go to Mana Foods.  Then I do a little window shopping in Paia.  I go into Nuage Bleu and catch up on Maui news with Terri.  Whine a bit that I have to hitchhike into Kihei in the heat of the day. They console me a bit. I go

2.  ride from young local (hapa haole) boy from Paia Bay to Hansen Road. He is figuring out the world. He has a 96 Toyota 4-runner- brings back memories of all my toyota 4-runners & trucks (3 total). We check to see if I know his family (originally Oahu born, but Cali raised). It seems I don't.

3.  ride from older photographer of women dude. Fun conversation about Maui, politics, and Georgetown University. He takes me to Ed's doorstep.

I pick up scooter and chat with Lee-Bear and Jimmy Da Kine for long time. Heat of the day is still on high, but a constant breeze.  I decide I'm ready to go back other side.  I go.

All sorts of side stories of the day of course: I get my fav mineral water at Mana Foods. I run into Greg (another massage therapist) and we talk story. He was my neighbor when I last left Maui and was headed for Tunisia 3 years ago.  He updates me on Stream's property @ 5 Corners.  I feel nostalgia for my little shack there (I lived in 2 separate shacks there actually). I see all the progress at Vanderland in Kihei since my last visit. I have a random conversation with a Harley Davidson dude right next to me and my little scooter at a stoplight in Kihei.  He is trying to impress me.  He does impress me.  He casually asks where I'm headed.  The light turns green and I take off on my scooter with a smiling grin.  Ahhhh Maui. I ride back to Makawao before rush hour traffic, yet still get stuck in Paia. Very liberating to see traffic piled up in Paia and I get to scoot right through on my scooter. That never happened before when I would be in my quiver of Toyota trucks waiting with the rest of the folk in Paia traffic.  I whiz by and head up to Makawao.  Wind is still blowing stink and I am ready to get off scooter.  I decide no need run tonight.  Rodeo General Store for organic Kale Caesar Salad and Shoyu Ahi Poke for dinner.  Solve the world's problems with Simone in the evening while drinking beer and champagne...

So. That took up the entire day folks. I know. I know.

Now, Tuesday morning, freshly coffeed, lying on the couch, am ready to greet the day. Oh, I finally had Mexican food the other day.  It was splendid.  I need some Castor Oil for my eyelashes today.  That's about it. The rest is beach and Mana Foods. 

Next week I head to Portland where Mr. Johnny Stack (my Kahoolawe co-worker) will meet/escort me to the UP in Michigan in his semi-truck.  That's right. I'm doing Amerika in style this summer.  Troutdale, Oregon to Flint, Michigan and then a quickie drive up through Mackinaw Bridge/Island into the UP. I'll be videotaping of course. I need footage for my American Culture/History classes I will be teaching in Bahrain at UofB this coming year!!!

I believe that I don't even know yet how epic this odyssey is going to be.  I mean, A FUCKING SEMI-TRUCK, truck stops with Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie, wifi, showers, etc etc etc...

I was on Moloka`i last weekend.  Went to a wedding all local style on Papohaku Beach.  Erica (another archaeologist I met a few years back at the annual Society of Hawaiian Archaeology ((SHA) when it was held on Oahu)). was the beautiful bride and James her groom.  Had a great time with Katie-girl and her soon-groom Jamil and Laara from Seattle.  We went holoholo all over. Molokai stays country. Nice to experience that feeling. Much love for Moloka`i long time.

Yea that's about it for now folks.  Here are some pictures to leave you with. Enjoy!!!

nuff said...

what are these?

wedding prep

more wedding prep

wedding

post wedding

slippah blow-out, but I had back-up...

hiking for a good cause

good cause

Kalaupapa down below

palm trees impairing view of ocean...

Halawa Valley lookout. Looks like a good day for a picnic

ruins in Halawa Valley

an offering

trotting to Halawa Beach

picnic (Katie-girl DO NOT show Jamil this pic...)

feeling all biblical and shit

Jamil- cuckoo for coconuts

my choice

self-portrait

feeling all like it's the South Seas

on the ferryboat home: the kids- all tired and shit

a hui hou i hiki i ka la Moloki`i

thanks giving for yoga gratitude: tales from the mat & beyond

I love this picture taken today after our morning practice. I wish the entire class would of been in the picture because we are a tribe. A tribe of people giving gratitude to our ancestors before us who show us this path of gratitude for our bodies health & well being. It's even more than that. Collectively as a group of yoga practitioners we shared feelings and good vibrations for 2 hours & that works on a synergistic level & penetrates our physical entities. Such goodness emitting from a dedicated group of people has to make a change. It has to matter on such a profound level. It just has to. I know it to be truth. To top it off I met 2 new people in class: Bob & Tane. What is interesting is that Bob heard me talking to Diana about possibilities in American Samoa & he looked at me & said, I lived there for 6 years... Then he looked to Tane, another yoga teacher new to the Islands, and said, "She's thinking about moving to AS" & then he looked back at me & said, "Tane is Samoan". So 2 people new to my life are connected to Samoa & I'm becoming connected to Samoa in my researches. It's just funny how this game of life works...I am being lured to Samoa... I like it.

After a 2 1/2 hour class I cruised back to Bamboo Mountain- where I live to attend a community `awa ceremony. `Awa or Kava Kava was brought to Hawaii with the ancient Polynesian voyagers. "It is valued as an intoxicating drink and as a medicine. `Awa is also a sedative, used as a sacred plant for prayer, as well as appreciated for pleasure, especially in the south Pacific islands. It assists in opening communication channels with others and with the elements."

http://www.canoeplants.com/awa.html



We sat up on the hill where the forest opens up to the sky & brilliant sunlight flooded our ceremony through the majestic palm trees swaying in rhythm with the trade winds. A light rain squall rolled in at the end of the ceremony & it was just pure gratitude. As each participant takes the `awa cup in the hand & gives an offering to our ancestors, or future generations & to present existence they drink from the cup and with cup in hand have a platform to speak. I have participated in these ceremonies before- both in Hawaii and in Fiji & well... the sense of ritual and communicating with & receiving direct ancient spiritual knowledge from direct descendants of ancient Polynesian voyagers... unexplainable. We shared an amazing Thanksgiving meal  & wine & conversation. I am so grateful for what I have. I might not have much in the way of material possessions, but I know love. I know I am loved.

All Hallows Eve Paia 2009

...And good times were had by all. A fairly tame evening for the ghouls & goblins this year. That's ok though. Honestly at some points throughout the evening I thought about additional points I wanted to work on for my thesis... That was in between the wine shots, the flasks of tequila & rum... The outfits weren't innovative. Mostly it seems a night for a free ticket to wear cheap, tacky lingerie made in China and walk around half naked- hardly innovative by my standards indeed. I mean that's an every day occurrence here in Hawaii- lol!


Moving along to Sunday morning fast forward to Haiku to the soggy lands of Bamboo Mountain. It's a fantastic morning lying in bed & drinking Italian espresso with the pouring rain tempting me to run naked through the property & gather some passion fruit for breakfast- no tacky Chinese lingerie for me- heh heh! I've been missing the rain so much these past few weeks of Hawaiian doldrums so I feel it came yesterday afternoon bringing good news. That the rains came on my father's birthday as well was pleasantly serendipitous.  The greatness that was that man lives inside me and constantly gives me courage to make choices about my path that I believe are the right ones.

My most recent choices are to spend christmas w/my mum, to check out grad schools w/progressive PhD programs in critical applied linguistics, and to slow down in life & take the time to let me have my mind blown again...