Hang Loose

Most folks know the shaka sign widely used in Hawaii and amongst surfers which means to "hang loose". Indeed, we are hanging loose by balancing the work and play here as we co-work, nail video calls, and get creative in meeting our east coast obligations. All the while our wonderful co-hosts have been feeding and taking good care of us. A photo of our breakfast sandwich this morning:



After finishing with work that ends around 11 am, we usually laze, nap, and hang out. And most importantly, we eat! Here’s our lunch of kimbap or Korean vegetable rolls:



After some light errands, we headed north to Nu’uanu Pali lookout which is a Hawaiian state park. The local parking attendant said we must be locals, because no foreigners bring dogs. Again we are feeling kaimana and benefited from free parking. Check out the beautiful view of the north which reminded me of scenes from the popular show Lost:



We then drove to the Valley of Temples which our co-hosts had never visited. So it was fun to think that they are getting to sight-see for the first time with us. The Valley of Temples has various religions represented and is a famous Hawaiian cemetery. You could see the differences between how the Catholics, the Japanese, Chinese, and other ethnic groups honor the decease.

As we were entering the Byodo-In temple, the attendant again asked if we had a residence here on island. I said our friend bought a place and he said if I knew the neighborhood, and then noted "it better not be Waikiki". I answered "on the border of Ala Moana and Kaka’ako" and then he asked me to spell Kaka’ako and I nailed it. Michael, the attendant, then charged us the kaimana rate. For the win! Our co-host quizzing us on local facts has finally come through for us even though I pretend not to listen and tease him! We've been listening and learning so much.

We enjoyed the lovely Byodo-In Temple and took some nice photos:





The temple houses the Amida Buddha and here's a view out:





There were many animals around the temple including a black swan:





And of course Baro:



We also enjoyed fresh fruit juices like sugarcane, guava, mango, and similar to passion fruit, a fruit called Lilikoi:



Afterwards we ran errands and checked out Daiso, a Japanese 99¢ store. We then headed home and our co-hosts made Korean barbecue which we washed down with chummy soju:



As folks were cleaning up, I actually fell asleep and was out cold. The remainder of Team Musubi enjoyed cake and ice cream and laughed the night away.

I guess I was too tired from all the shaka signing and hanging loose. This was particularly harder for me as I slammed my thumb between a door and concrete wall in the parking garage yesterday. It’s very swollen and bruised, but we’re all still hanging loose!