The waters and ways of Amsterdam

Perfect weather brings everyone out - locals and tourists. Took a boat ride and walked the canal-lined streets after visiting Anne Frank's house and museum. Anne Frank's house and museum was a very sobering experience and so hard to imagine.

I've been to Amsterdam many times and each time I see another layer of the city and love it even more. I could spend a month here just going to the museums and cafes.

Russ, Lori and Janice. Russ and Lori are from Wisconsin. Lori is my good friend from High Shool.

Hawaii: Nani, aloha a lokomaikaʻi

I was able to meet with all friends except for three who had COVID. This darn virus is just so dang disruptive. It was going strong here so I hope I don’t bring this special souvenir back with me.

Friends: Some from work, some I met while in Naples, Italy, some I met on a cruise in Vietnam, and my old neighbors who Steve and I hung out with like family. I’m sad to leave them all but content in knowing our connections remain intact and enriched. It warms my heart to once again, experience the incredible warmth and love from these very special people in my life. Aloha is real and I am fortunate to have been touched by it. I hope to take some back with me and apply it to my everyday life. If lucky, I’ll sprinkle it around on the mainland – Lord knows we need it.

Since I was here for two weeks, I had time to savor the local coffee (Alii) each morning, do my physical therapy and hang out in parks and beaches where stillness found me. How often do we really sit still and let life just organically unfold in front of us. OK, don’t laugh. I saw Deepak Chopra in the old Hawaiian Theater the other night. He always gets me thinking bigger, which in turn, dissolves the stupid little things I worry about in life.

I continued exploring more beaches like Diamond Head and Ala Moana, but my favorite is still Kailua Beach. As I floated and played in the rolling waves I observed the soft sand on my feet, the vibrant aqua/teal warm water gently swaying me back and forth, my body relaxed with no pain, beautiful green palms and peaks on the horizon, and the warm sun blanketing me with bliss. This must be heaven!

Although there are slices of heaven on Oahu, Honolulu struggles with drugs, homelessness, and crime. Less than the mainland, but bad all the same. I happen to be staying right downtown Honolulu in an area riddled with homelessness and drugs – next to China Town. It is downright scary, and I was told not to walk outside at night. One morning as I walked to my favorite café a fight broke out right in front of me between drug dealers. The hotel reviews I looked at before booking did not talk about this dangerous neighborhood, so I’ll make sure to make my comments. It is a very nice hotel suite however, but it is not a safe area, forcing me to think about this social issue on a much deeper level only to realize (like most of us) there is no easy answer. During the day, normal business types walk and weave around the homeless like they are invisible. I just keep saying to myself “this is not ok”.

Food scene: I forgot how great the food was here. Although I can find some of the same dishes in DC, the freshness and flavors are nothing like here. Enjoyed manapua, pork hash, bento with shoyu chicken, fresh ahi and sword fish, duck tacos, lichee, papaya, spam musubi, poke bowl (the real thing), mango mochi, etc.

I’m so happy I made this journey. I leave with new memories, happiness, and a renewed trust in humanity. Aloha!

Here is the trail along the Kawainui Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary I used to frequent (right behind our house). A beautiful and relaxing walk with a view of the Ko'olau Mountain Range and Olomano - the mountain Steve and I hiked back in the day. We hiked within 20 feet of the top, which was by rope straight up. Very challenging hike to say the least.

The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace on Bishop Street. Church Hawaii style - love the leis on the Virgin Mary.

The Sands of Time

I like the way you can move and mold sand like it’s an adjustable recliner. Just lay on the beach and mold the sand beneath you for ultimate comfort. Indent for the butt, then dig out two divots for foot stops, and a little sand under the back for lumbar support. Nice! Then lay there and feel the soft breeze, listen to the crashing waves and watch the clouds morph into identifiable creatures like playing a game of Pictionary in the sky. Here I am on the beaches of Oahu, Hawaii. Today’s beach is Ka’ena Point.

Although I came to visit friends for a couple of weeks, I have time during the day to go beach hopping, food tasting and visiting old haunts. Steve and I lived in Hawaii for the better part of the 90’s. We visited once since then in 2004, but now after 18 years I’m here again only this time without Steve. Although this is an emotional trip filled with so many beautiful memories, I also knew it would be healing and a hurdle I needed to overcome. As imagined, this trip is both, revisiting the old, and building new.

The old - went to all our favorite beaches and hangouts, but this time I have my personal stamp on the place and a fresh new memory. The slate clear of sadness and open with wonder, excitement and renewal, and yes, an occasional distant memory of a different life. As I visit with friends, I find that time did not stand still. Families have grown, grandchildren spread across the US with families of their own. Some distant friends have passed or are in poor health. The pool deck Steve and I had put in our house now old and overgrown with plants growing out of the cracked grout lines. Time goes on forcing me to reset my expectations. Another disruptive factor is COVID. I am now not able to see a good friend because she and her husband have the virus. I have to cautious with another close friend because her resident grandson has the virus too. Life is messy!

All that being said. I love Hawaii. The people are some of the nicest in the world living true Aloha. The climate perfect and natural beauty beyond what is imaginable. Yes, there is homelessness, drugs, overcrowding, and bad traffic on Oahu, but that slips away the minute you are on the beach or focus on the fragrant soft breeze and perfect climate.

Flowers at Foster Gardens