Last Hash, Last Days in Paradise

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July 28-30
Saddened by the thought of this being my last few days, I found it difficult to kick my butt into gear today. Strange, I know, because you’d think I’d want to be out, enjoying my last precious moments of paradise; instead I spent much of the day inside the house. At least I had a Hash to look forward to.

Around 4:30 I headed down the hill to Safeway to purchase the required swag for a Tuesday night Hash: liquor and a snack for afterwards. Terry, Dave, and Aric picked me up there and we headed just across the highway to the university where the Tuesday night Hash group stood around socializing before the run.

It was a gorgeous run, in the sprinkling rain, around the Manoa area and through the UH Manoa campus. It was casual and relaxing and I loved the simplicity of the route; no tricks, or excessive off trail running. Just simple road, trail, (well…over one fence, but it wasn’t too difficult), stairwells, and the best part was the trail that ran alongside a gorgeous stream. It may have been an hour or so, just a nice run.

Afterwards we hung around and chatted for quite a while, certainly long enough to drink two bottles of wine. I took some hilarious pictures with the Hash leader in the beer mug hat, who was wearing the funniest apron I’ve ever seen. (sorry it’s graphic, but I had to have a record of it). Terry, Dave and I were all pretty buzzed, well maybe drunk. (Eric was driving, thank goodness).

At some point on the drive home, we decided to stop at Yogurtland; a frozen yogurt shop where you make your own yogurt cup and fill it with any toppings you like, then you pay by weight. I know we’ve got one of these places in AZ, so it’s not a totally new concept, but it’s probably not the smartest place to take a bunch of drunk people. All I know is that you really only have one cup size to choose (brilliant idea), and out of the maybe 12 different flavors, I must’ve put at least 6-8 different flavors of yogurt into my cup. Trying to keep the weight of my cup down, since I wasn’t paying, I only threw a few M&M’s on the top and one small lychee fruit (which I really don’t remember enjoying eating). Not sure why, I must’ve been laughing pretty hard at the idea of filling our own cups with so many different flavors of yogurt, but as I was taking pictures, a young employee came up and told me that taking pictures was not allowed inside. Something about not wanting the concept to be stolen. O…k…a…y, right. Everyone was grossed out by my taking of peanut butter swirled with orange something (just 2 flavors in a cup of many, many others), but I had no problem eating any of it!

Made the mistake of taking Excedrin when I got home, before I was ready to sleep, which I think is a terrible no no. The caffeine hit me hard and there was nothing I could do to get to sleep. I tried a few times, but at 5:30am I was still awake, reading Harry Potter #3. Actually I finished it. I admit that I had back to school thoughts running through my head too, which always keep me awake. I get them every year and I feel them coming on a lot lately. You’d think those would go away, but they never do.

Still, I woke up early on Wednesday, chatted a little with Bill, who I hadn’t seen in like a week, then walked down to the beach. I spent the day laying out in my favorite spot. Nothing new, nothing exciting, just another day of skin damage.

I left the beach with enough time to get home, rinse off, and head to Niketown for the Wed night run. It felt special to have Daniel, the employee who I had gotten to know the best, make an announcement (in the microphone) that it was my last night at the run club. If it weren’t for the Niketown Run Club, I wouldn’t have had half of the experiences that I’ve had here including making fiends, running races, hikes, drinks, and meeting Terry of course. I’m truly grateful for this run club!

Tonight’s run was nice; I ran the 6 mile distance by myself which I suppose was fitting since it was my last one. It was raining, and it felt like it took forever, but I enjoyed finally making it all the way around Ala Moana Park…which I hadn’t done yet with the run club. It felt like success.

I decided on Wednesday to try and catch a flight home on Friday night which would allow me all day Thursday and Friday to play. Can you tell I’m in love with this place? (tears)…only 2 more days. I’m really fighting hard to stay here as long as absolutely possible. I actually have to get to work on Tuesday. That’s only three days after I return home! I’ve never pushed my summer this long, but I love it!

Thursday I woke up early and got to the beach by 9:30. I like getting there early; the sun is softer and the choice of sand location is easier. Before I knew it, it was already 1:00! I’d been reading H.P. #4, not that I think I’m going to make much of a dent in the 730 pages by the time I leave. Terry called me; she was in the area, so we met up and grabbed a bite to eat together. I had to get back to the beach by 3:00 to meet up with Don to go paddle surfing, but we made plans to get together again afterwards to go hit up Pipeline for happy hour.

When I returned to the beach to go paddling, Don wasn’t there. He called and told me that he wasn’t going to make it, but he called the manager of the little beach rental place where we get our boards and set it up for me anyways. Wow! How cool is that? I’ve been there three times this summer with Don and we don’t pay for the boards, he can just take what he wants. Today, they just let me take a board out by myself. I’m so lucky!

So…today was my first day paddling alone. I really enjoyed it, though I still tend to get a little sea sick and nauseous on the waves - and there were a lot of waves today. I didn’t catch many good waves, just a few, but the highlight of my time in the water was all the turtles that I saw. They just kept popping up to the surface to take a breath all around me. It feels so cool to be out there on the board with turtles just swimming around. It’s an unforgettable experience each time.

After paddling, I met Terry at her house and she, Dave, and I all went to Pipeline Café for their incredible happy hour. I can’t believe it isn’t more packed, but it’s not in Waikiki, so maybe that’s why. Their happy hour runs from 4-9pm on weekdays and their drinks and food are $2-$3! What a great deal! There’s no doubt if I lived here, I’d be at this happy hour at least once a week! We had a wonderful time chatting and telling stories. I’m sure going to miss our fun times together!

Tonight is the eve of my last day in Hawaii. I don’t think it’s truly hit me yet.

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Photos

Sorry for this one!
I had to do it! It was the funniest apron I've ever seen

Niketown
Daniel on the microphone saying goodbye

Waikiki Beach & Diamond Head
My favorite part of the beach to spend the day laying out

oooh...don't tell
their yogurt concept is in danger of being stolen

Dave
making his yogurt

A closer view
of Waikiki and Diamond Head

Aric
making his yogurt

Comments

[Artie Velarde]

Thanks
Thanks for keeping this blog. It's been a lot of fun following you vacation and living it vicariously. See you soon.

[Jen B.]

Tears...
I am shedding tears for you, too, as I know it is hard to leave some place so..perfect. But, you will be back. I really think that for some, Hawaii gets in your soul and becomes part of you. I think there is a yogurt place like that at the Biltmore - I think. Glad you have had such an amazing summer! Are you doing this again next summer? Can't wait for your last posts.. I am waiting for the one you told me about! Can't wait to see you! Enjoy you last few hours!