Kauai journal, 1st entry

Thursday, June 2, 2011

We woke at 6:30 this morning (10:30 Colorado time). I didn't know where I was for a moment. Then I remembered. It felt good to wake up early, knowing the day was stretched out. We watched a couple of Twin Peaks episodes then went out into the kitchen for coffee & fruit - bananas, mangoes, papayas, pineapple. Drank a cup of coffee while making egg sandwiches. There was a gorgeous breeze. Hung out in the kitchen for a long time, yet it wasn't. The time seems to stand still here, in a beautiful way.

We went to Hanalei for lunch with Adam & Dani, to Bubba's Burgers. I had a veggie burger & an iced tea. We walked around and looked at shops then stopped at a scenic overpass & took some photographs. I got carsick & had to lay down when we got home. We watched a few more Twin Peaks and I felt better.

Then, Steven and I walked down the street, past the Westin, to a public beach. We walked down a steep hill, on red soil, over huge tree roots. At the bottom was a small strip of light brown sand. I stood in the water for a while, thinking about how vast water can be, wondered how scary it is in the middle of the sea. Then we walked back up. We took two breaks, I became so breathless.

For dinner - grilled chicken coated in macadamia nuts with tropical fruit paella (made at home).

The first nite we were here we went to a tapas bar in Hanalei, Baracuda (Bar in bold). They were very busy so the hostess asked the chef if we could sit out in the garden. She led us back, our table under lanterns, green mountains behind us (we only saw them for a time, before it became completely dark). We sat around a round table. We ordered a bottle of red wine, a carafe of sangria. We ordered several small plates:

Barillas - steak skewers with honey & lime
Pizzetta - mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula, grilled tomato
Ono - (grilled), served over grilled tomatoes with chimichurri
Ahi - prepared the same way as the Ono
Honey comb with goat cheese & crostini
Grilled shrimp with romesco
Marinated olives
Chorizo
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One of the books I brought is written in the second person. At first it caught me off guard. Now I love it and it makes perfect sense.

A line I love: The names and titles are a shorthand for what you can't express, but it is enough.

A book to look up: A Natural History of Senses - Diane Ackerman

When with a group of people, I have a tendency to say certain things and then feel inadequate after. It's so hard to explain. But I usually resort to telling myself, reminding myself, not to talk as much. I think it may be my honesty? That when I am excited, engrossed, I just speak. Responses from others affect me. If only I could ignore the response and continue.