Monday, December 18th, 2023
Honolulu/Chicago
I come to the Hawaiian Islands during the rainy season where rain falls, and sun is followed by rainbows. For me, it is all short-sleeve weather. That’s not the case for residents here. They are just not used to even a chill when, although rare, you can see your breath.
I’ve enjoyed my time here with the hospitality which was mostly in-house. Only a few people did I meet outside our community. There was that nice Vietnamese lady I met in a condo’s lobby. Oh, she had a lot to say about life itself. She was quite the person to tell her take on, especially, people.
With beach walks, either mornings or evenings, there were the passersby, or children at play, or lovers embracing. Mind you, I met Paul from Texas. He was sure to get more enlightened when he plopped himself down to chant with us at Waikiki. The Sunday feast of yesterday did draw newcomers, maybe second timers. It was indeed a mixed crowd, ethnically. I also noticed a number of single males and females who were beyond the standard marriage age. I didn’t know what to think. “Are they current or future loners?” At least during the Sunday program all enjoyed the event.
Now, for my last hours at ISKCON Honolulu, I bid my goodbyes to my hosts, Gurudas and Amala, and also Bhavatarini, author of children’s books, and a godsister. I haven’t seen her since ’75. Then there was Raulyam who shared with me, in the last minutes, the script of the story on “Liquid Beauty”, something she sang out to me, as in a short opera. My final goodbye before the ride to the airport was a hug from and to Swami Ashram, a fine down-to-earth monk, a pleasure to be with.
MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU!
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