The trilogy ends with part 3 of day 4 at the Kanekiki community farm.
Music is Healing
After publishing my last blog (Day 4 Part 2) I placed my computer on the side and set down to talk to Sam. She then got up to grab the guitar and for the following 30 minute we shared our songs with each other taking turns. I truly loved her style, she has a beautiful voice. I really enjoyed sharing that time with her. It helped me feel better.
Moments later Barb, one of the owners at Kanekiki, came upstairs to talk to me. She had been reading my blogs and knew that I was needing some help. I postponed my exchange with Sam, put some boots on and together with Barb went on a walk.
Walking & Talking in the Rain
We headed off the property, it was my first time walking outside the grounds. We headed for what so far is my favorite part of the island. An open field of solidified lava that erupted from the earth in 1969 whipping out the town that used to be there. Aside from it’s tragic past, those fields are a magical place and I was glad we got to explore them.
During our walk we broke the ice by chatting about several things including cultural appropriations and addictions to cooked foods. After that we discussed the reasons of my latest discomforts.
I started by owning that everything that was going on was my fault and I took full responsibility for feeling the way I was feeling. I shared that I understood there where many things I could have done to avoid going through some recent discomforts, such as labeling my phone charger so no one would take it and asking for help when I needed it.
I also acknowledge that many of my discomforts are due to an unavoidable process of adaptation to the new region and the weather that comes with it. Barb mentioned that I have been getting pretty unlucky with the vast amounts of rain we’ve gotten.
On our way back it started pouring. I am eternally grateful for having brought an umbrella. It has saved my life, and my computer’s life too. It is ridiculous how hard it rains in this area of the island. It is hard to believe that on the west side of the island it hardly rains at all.
A Little Bit of Everything
By the time we made it back my pants were drenched. I let them dry out while preparing a smoothie. I added 10 bananas, small size and five small papayas (three if you count how much I had to throw out). Fruit here goes bad really quickly, I guess this is due to the temperature and the fact that there is moist, ants and flies everywhere. I will need to be very careful making sure no produce goes to waste. It is a learning process, I am sure I will figure it out.
The smoothie came out delicious, all eight cups of it were a joy. Writing this blog has been enjoyable too. After talking to Barb I have decided to stay, at least for a little longer, just to give it time to adapt myself to the space and the community. I am sure that with a little more information and understanding I can become much more comfortable.
I am now going to take a pause. Put the computer aside and sing some more with Sam. After that I will go downstairs to the kitchen to make some food for our community dinner. I plan on writing a little more before I go to bed.
Changing Ties
Dinner was lovely. I prepared a salad on a rush, which wasn’t the best approach, and headed upstairs to join the group. Before we dug in we went around and shared our gratitude. Three people are leaving tomorrow and everyone shared their love for them. It was a bitter sweet moment. I enjoyed it particularly because it was the first time since I arrived where we were all present and focused on one thing. The magic of community started to come alive.
During dinner I talked to Bill, another co-owner of the farm. We chatted about being raw long term, he said he did it for two years straight and felt amazing. I believe him, I felt amazing after doing it for a few weeks. We agreed that it is emotional instability, more than anything else, that makes us go back to non-raw foods.
After dinner I checked my phone and noticed a message from Karen, the lady with whom I visited the aquaponics farm during my first day in Hawaii. She said she had found a better property, with built in homes and a 16 year history as a yoga retreat. The space seemed unbeatable and very affordable. I truly hope she gets it, I could be moving in as early as January 1st.
It’s funny how things can change so fast. I am not saying that I am certain to remain in Hawaii. However, I do feel much better. Talking to Barb definitely helped.
This has happened before, during other community gatherings. It usually takes me three to four days to break in, get accustomed to the space and allow myself to open up. The process is subtle but clear nonetheless. In a way, I am not surprised, it feels like a natural thing. I wish mosquito bites would go away as easily.
Evening with Love
We closed the night with a community jam. I grabbed the guitar and played a few songs, then Destiny sang her own. A handful of people joined in, we had strings, percussion and sometime of flute. It was a sweet experience, it made me feel at home.
Now everyone is doing their own thing. I am finishing up this blog and will soon head over to bed. I may need to make a stop by “the squatting throne”, it is quite inconvenient, special with so much rain. I don’t know if I will ever come to terms with that end of the deal. This lifestyle is certainly not for all.
