Two Days

July 10: I just finished my sushi lunch in my room –Aloha Sushi has been our staple food here- and I’m catching a bit of a Ben Stiller movie before going down to Waikiki Beach. Today is my day off, generously sponsored by my boss onsite. I went to Hanauma Bay, created ten thousand years ago by the rising sea over volcanic ash that fell there thirty thousand years ago. Does that make sense? Thirty thousand years ago, a volcano blew, ash landed in the water, extending the coast of the island of Oahu. Ten thousand years ago, the sea rose and covered part of the ash, creating a beautiful bay that was later discovered by Polynesian travelers. Tada!

On the van there, I met two “accompanying persons” as we call them in the fascinating world of meetings. IE, the guests of actual meeting attendees. Jim is 47, from San Francisco; Mary is older (exact age unknown), works in “education”, and is from Ohio: both liberal, very well traveled, and friendly. We decided to be each others’ snorkeling buddies. You’re supposed to have a buddy in case something happens to you. Nothing happened to me, except that I saw all kinds of people-friendly fish and some coral. It was my first time snorkeling and I wasn’t sure if I’d be scared or uncomfortable. I’m noticing this trend here, where I tend to expect worst possible scenarios, and then end up having a satisfying experience when it comes down to it. The worst possible scenario-scenario is what I think I *need* to have a good time. Like, if I go ahead and expect the best, I’ll be disappointed. Anyway….

For snorkeling fans: the visibility could have been better and there could have been more fish and coral, but it was fun!

Oh yeah, on the way there the driver pointed out several famous people’s houses: Keanu Reeves, Richard Chamberlain. I laughed when he said the guy from Hawaii 5-0 and Tom Selleck had once had houses in the area. Because come on, what’s more Hawaii than Magnum PI?

July 11: I lost my sunglasses to the Pacific in an attempt to impress some Germanic surfers by diving gracefully into an oncoming wave. They were too young for me anyway. Another pair of shades sacrificed to vanity. Oh well!

I fly back today, and will be home tomorrow morning. Mixed emotions. I’m kind of sad to leave this beautiful tropical island paradise. I hope I get to come back some day, on vacation. Aloha Hawaii!