Not So Perfect Pictures

 A picture speaks a thousand words, right? Many folks (myself included), share the 'good' photos that can speak to the fun of their experience. We all share ones the photos that are shot well, capture beauty, joy, etc.  Well, the photos shot here, they tell a different story.  There is not much of any of the qualities I mentioned. Yet they do capture the essence of an important moment; one where a family (or rather family member!) is cranky, frustrated and not feeling it.  A very real moment. 

Our dear friend Roger was kind enough to try to capture our family at Turtle Bay. While it turned out to be one big oy vey,  there were some great lessons learned, like:

 put the camera down and be present in the moment;

honor each person's mood;

life is not perfect.

Don was willing to smile for the camera after my patience wore thin with Havana and I walked away.

Eventually we were able to get a shot of our family and the Haas-Jajeh clan but it was no easy task.  Havana still wouldn't smile but that was okay. It was what it was and that was perfect.

HAWAII 5-0

I love O'ahu. It's no secret. I love all of Hawaii, in truth.  When back on the mainland, I watch Hawaii 5-0, not so much for the show (it's okay, it has a bit of the campiness of a soap opera) but because it's fun to see the island. The girls, esp. Amara, has taken to joining me on a Saturday morning to watch the show to see old and new sites via the show.  We are there vicariously through the t.v.

Well, it was quite the surprise the day we arrived at Turtle Bay to discover they were filming Hawaii 5-0 in the area. We drove, and later walked, past the trailer sites, hoping to get some info on where they were doing the actual filming. A friendly guard told us but we discovered it was behind a gated community (with a sign warning of explosives and not to worry). Amara became obsessed (as she often does with something new) about seeing the show being filmed. Despite Don and I telling her that was not possible, we didn't couldn't get behind those gates, she kept annoying the heck out of us (ops, I mean asking us!) about seeing them.

A couple of days later, she no longer was fixated on this and off we went to do some horseback riding. Just the two of us. To both our surprise, and delight, about a mile into the trail, we came upon what I initially thought was a homeless camp. Until I looked closer and our guide confirmed what I suspected; it was the scene that was being shot for the show before they broke for the weekend. Amara was so thrilled!

When we got home, we both expected it could be weeks before we watched on t.v. what we saw with our own eyes. We were in for another surprise when the next week, there was the scene we saw, which provided Amara the opportunity to understand filming and editing as she saw the storyline not matching up with the reality of the location of the filming, etc. 

Traveling brings many unexpected things. Usually, I experience things more profound. On this occasion, something more mundane, as seen through a nine year old's eyes, brought equal joy.

Breadfruit

Breadfruit. One of my most favorite foods. I first tried breadfruit in Jamaica in 1988, when some Rasta Bredren were cooking ital food. Breadfruit has been found in the warmer climates all across Oceania. Brought from the South Pacific to the Caribbean to feed the slaves because it was a high energy, cheap food it is now found on both the islands of the Caribbean region and in countries in Central America. It can also be found in Southeast Asia, Africa and is believed to have been born in New Guinea.  

Breadfruit is a tree that has perhaps the highest yielding of any fruit tree. I have learned that different cultures cook it in different ways. I am old school when it comes to my breadfruit. Roast it, slice it, fry it in a tad bit of oil with a touch of sea salt. Boiled is okay too but roasted;How I wish I could have some of that nutty, starchy,healthy food right now.

Breadfruit is hard to come by in California. When I lived in New York, which has a very large West Indian population, I could find breadfruit (and my other island staples) fairly easily. On most return trips from visiting family in Miami/South Florida (another large West Indian community), you will find my suitcase packed with a breadfruit or two. 

On our recent trip to Hawaii, we saw young breadfruit while going on our one lone hike. Sadly,it was not ready to eat. I was so disappointed that I stood under that breadfruit tree for about five minutes, with great longing! I wasn't able to get the breadfruit and had to do with some photos instead. Not the same but it would just have to do!

Hibiscus

 Flowers, in their natural environment, touch my soul in a deep way. I love the endless, vibrant colors and variety, differing sizes, and soothing energies that always compel me to stop and take a deep breath. Flowers are a reminder of the boundless creativity of the Creator and Creation. On our recent visit to O'ahu, I was beyond delighted to witness hibiscus in colors I had not previously seen. I was tickled at the clever, originality of them....stunning....

kahakai

Sand & Sea

Peace & Calm

Magic & Medicine

Beauty & Awe

 From north shore coves, to pristine, isolated windward beaches, to man made protected inlets; we soaked in the salt, sun and sand until we were full, happy and exhausted. We were so blessed to touch Sand  & Sea so often while on O'ahu.