Thanks to everyone who expressed concern during the tsunami warnings. We were awakened at 6:00 am with a loud siren blasting. I lie there wondering what it could be for?? Well, as you know, it amounted to nothing……thankfully. We did evacuate our condo and drove to higher land where we could view the beach. We joined many others as we all moved to higher ground. It was actually more like a picnic than anything. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the beautiful ocean was in view. It did not seem like a disaster was about to happen. We sat on the hillside 3 or 4 hours and then returned to our condo. That was our tsunami experience! Pretty uneventful. There were t-shirts made up with “I survived the Tsunami” by the time I left the island.
I have read that one of the things a person should do each year to stay healthy is to go somewhere that you have never been before. Well, I certainly did that. Highlights of the trip were whale watching, snorkeling in the ocean (though a bit terrifying for someone who grew up on the South Dakota plains), attending a luau, seeing the production called “Ulalana” (history of Hawaii in dance and music), going to Iao Valley and the small towns near there, a “yoga photo shoot” on the beach, GREAT food, and lots of time LAUGHING with Gary, Wendy and Jessica. It was all deeply appreciated by my body, mind and soul. I do feel refreshed.
“Ulalana” and the performance at the luau both told about the history of Hawaii. The history includes missionaries coming and colonization…….unfortunately we know that story far too well.
I am still processing everything that I experienced. I don’t want to just fall back into my “regular” life without absorbing all the nuggets from my trip. A lot to think about.
My animals missed me ( and I missed them) but had wonderful care from Mary, Lynn, Kelly and Mona…. thanks to all of you!
I am really just getting my legs under me. I slept amazingly well last night after being up for about 36 hours…..I am going to yoga soon and will begin to get my brain back into my world here slowly.
I am grateful for the life that I have to come back to. My work, my family, my friends, my students, my home, my animal friends…….all of it. Much love and
aloha! Melanie
Aloha and welcome home! Glad to hear of your wonderful time and experience in Maui. Did you bring some music home to transport you back?
Maureen
It sounds wonderful, and I am glad your stay was so satisfying. I definitely agree about being refreshed. Today Jack and I spent the afternoon in Canyonlands National Park in Utah. It was amazing experiencing the serenity and grandeur of the deep canyons and broad vistas with mountains in the distance and doing it without seeing more than ten people for hours. I could have stayed forever, but returned to Moab after watching a beautiful sunset from high atop a mesa.