Not here Piggy, Piggy

 

                                                         

I had to tell this mama pig, after she bit my toes and tried to go up my dress, "Hey I have not eaten any of your relatives in almost forty years. So please stop trying to eat me." She did not listen and I had to scurry off, away from her and her little piggies. They tried to find me but I was a better hider!

That is her mouth on my foot!

 

Local Markets, Island Treasures

 

We have been bless with many travels and adventures since the girls were born. I am delighted that over the years, my love for local markets has passed on to my two small gems. A local market truly is the best way to get to know where you are at and to purchase the best food and crafts. The food, the people, the culture and other factors can give you a true flavor and feel of where you are.

While on the Big Island, we went to several local markets. Each one told a story. The one in downtown Kona informed us that cheaply made but expensively sold items were shipped in to sell to tourists. There was only one booth that sold handcrafted items. The rest was the same same tchotchke crap you can find any where, on any island in Hawaii. As far as the produce, the price was double or triple and the quality poor. That market spoke loud and clear we were in the heart of the Big Island's tourist trap.

The Saturday market of Ali'i Drive informed us that there are lots of young, off the grid folks, trying to make a go out of organic farming and back to the land life styles. We discovered unique products and more local artisans. Some making crafts to wear, hand on the wall or to consume, like the hot pepper sauce we picked up for my nephew Alex. We also found breadfruit, which caused me to do a happy dance. It also lifted my mood since I had temporarily misplaced my wallet during the luau the night before when the girls were having jet lag melt downs but I won't digress into! I went into further glee when I saw abiu, my new favorite fruit that I fell in love with in Tahiti (I loved it so much I made a blog post about it! https://twosmallgems.blogspot.com/2022/06/abiu.html) The next morning, eating that abiu on our balcony overlooking the ocean, I felt like the luckiest person on the Big Island. Moments like that, they are what travel is about; being present, savoring the flavors and being deeply grateful for the land, sky and sea that surrounded me.

The last farmers market we hit up was in Hilo. What can I say? It spoke volumes of the locals who come to shop for real food for local families. There was everything from honey to fresh mangoes (in several varieties) to finger bananas, to peppers, breadfruit, all types of veggies, local flowers, baked goods and much more. There was also two separate areas for local artists to sell their works. Handmade glassware, paintings, jewelry, tee shirts and bags were amongst some of the many original items we oohed an ahhed over. We took our time lingering at the many vendors stations, thankful for the canopy coverage. When it was time to head out, we had fresh squeezed lemonade, banana bread, coco bread and some Filipino's desserts to cool us down and fill our bellies on the drive back to Kona. It was clear that this market, while being a stop for tourists like us, was much more geared to the local community. The people we met were friendly, interesting, a little out there and diverse. Hilo farmer's market definitely felt more like community. I was so glad we spent the time to stop and linger.

People often ask me for suggestions when traveling and I will say it over and over; always find the local market and stop and wonder. It should be one of the first and it will be one of the best parts of any travel adventure.

The Big Island (2022)

Last year in July, I had the good fortune to attend the CAVacademy's CE conference on Maui. Almost two hundred therapists showed up to learn, connect, rest and heal on that sacred island in Hawaii. It was educational, restful and magical.  It was also enlightening because I am well aware that as a tourist, I see only one side when I travel.  With that in mind, I tried to stay present to the realities of those who are native to the islands.  I was most grateful for the full view and all the good energy that I was blessed to digest during our time there.  

This year, the conference was held on the Big Island with an even larger group of therapists. Meeting new folks but especially connected with those I met last year was something I was anxiously awaiting for months. Finally, August 3rd arrived and off we went. This time with me was Havana, my sister Kimberly and Amara (who was to arrive a couple of days later, after she finished up Girl Scout Camp as a C.I.T.).  We landed tired, hungry an hot but grateful. I was especially excited because it would be my sister's first time in Hawaii and I could not wait to share that experience with her. She is an island girl, having been born and raised in Key West. Yet, Hawaii is different and I was curious and delighted for this native conch to experience the aloha vibes.

Hawaii did not disappoint.  The conference did not disappointment and the O'hana at the conference for sure did not disappoint. We learned, we laughed,  we joked,  we broke bread,  we hiked, we snorkeling, danced and sang karaoke.  We also spread the word as to why we were there to the locals. There are many local people in Hawaii that are struggling; financially, emotionally/mentally and sometimes spiritually. We are outsiders, fortunate ones with the means to travel. So we brought our hearts and shared what we were doing on the islands to help spread awareness. 

Traveling with family is a good thing. But in all honesty, there are moments of rough patches too. Tempers flare at times, especially when tired, hungry, hot or jet lagged.  Being in new places forces us to learn and grow and that can be challenging as well. Especially when we want to stay rooted in our own ideas and ways. Sometimes we have to push ourselves to do new things, even when painful (physically, emotionally or mentally). For the purpose in this life is to experience this life as well as to learn, grown and evolve as humans and spiritual beings. Traveling is a great classroom for growth. This time on the Big Island forced my family to face both joyful moments and  pushed us to the edges at times as well. I am thankful for both.  For both joy and the shadow can be heard to embrace.  My personal commitment is to face my own shadows more deeply and to have more joy in my life, at the same time. Our beautiful time on the Big Island allowed for both and the process continues, long after we return home. And I have to reflect that Hawaii was formed from intensity and violence. Volcanic eruptions are powerful and destructive. Yet they bring forth life. Hawaii would not exist if not for volcanoes. We humans would not exist and evolve if not for a painful entry and forced challenged, which hopefully usually lead to beautiful things.

We had many great experiences on the Big Island in addition to me attending a great conference. We honored Pele, we saw Honu, we saw the lava flow, we visited several national parks, we snorkeled and had great sunsets. We visited some farmers markets, had some hikes in  breathing taking locations and overall just soaked in all that Hawaii mana.  I normally make several posts of each experience in Hawaii but during this trip I was deep in bargaining with my union.  In order to walk my talk, I have to pace myself and so I am going to do only a few posts versus many. We returned home Saturday night and Sunday morning I was preparing for an unopened strike.  I went from Hawaii to the picket lines of the concrete NorCal jungles but I keep with me that good energy, the took the time to reflect on what I learned and tried to stay pressent in my truth, something that the CAVacademy has been encouraging each conference. 

I am in deep gratitude for all my blessings and I remain deeply committed to serving others along the way. That was my take away this year.  Mahalo Hawaii.