March 2, 2003

Dear Mom:

...Suddenly unemployed in this unfavorable economy, I had no choice but to succumb to my travel whims. Maintaining some fiscal responsibility, I found an affordable ticket from Chicago to Kauai - the ‘Garden Isle’ of the Hawaiian Islands. ‘Yes, perhaps I will be lonely,’ I responded to those who expressed disbelief that I would travel solo to the land of honeymooners galore. Well, lonely, no way! No time! Adventure began on the second leg of my flight out, where I sat by an esteemed Navy Air Captain. Several (appalling) stories and hours later, we arrived in Honolulu, where I made the spontaneous decision to stay over for the night before traveling on to Kauai. Mr. Navy Captain was gracious; we spent the evening over sake and sushi par excellence.

Off to Lihue the next morning, I negotiated an ultra-cool (and far more practical) mini-SUV for a sub-compact price. For that first night in Kauai, I was financially committed to stay at the youth hostel, an experience to which I confess I have outgrown (tho the characters residing there had their own special charm). Luckily, kind folks from the car rental place had hooked me up with an affordable apartment rental located in the jungle beyond Kapa’a. On subsequent nights, I happily slept in my own private palace, overlooking groves of trees: oranges, lemons, coconuts and grapefruit...

Love, Anne

March 5, 2003

Dear Mom:

...What to see and do? When reviewing the Hawaii literature during the flight, I had learned that the nature-related activities revolved primarily around the water –of which I am not a fan. Still, since I was there, I figured I could not pass up the underwater world. I found myself signing up for the PADI Scuba Diving Certification course - a commitment to three long days of study, test-taking, and water. On Sunday night, I was overloaded with reading assignments to prepare. Dejected, I went to Sushi & Blues in sweet Hanalei, with plans to tackle the reading at the sushi bar. Just pages later I met Scott, a surfer with an uncontrollable head of hair not unlike that of Einstein’s. Scott is a veterinarian from Santa Barbara, CA. Conversation took priority over study on that evening!

Monday through Wednesday were filled with study and water torture, where I was forced to fight my fear of drowning in order to become more connected with the sea. I now proudly hold my Open Water Certification! I spent the final six days with Scott, the Surfing-Vet. As a 12-year veteran visitor in Kauai, Scott has been deemed as an honorary ‘local’. We hiked, walked in the moonlight, meandered through the artsy town of Hanapepe, and enjoyed the pleasures of a new friendship that evolved each day. I had found a kindred spirit–right in the heart of honeymoon heaven! ‘Were you lonely?’ my friends now ask. ‘No way!’ I exclaim. ‘There is no time to be lonely on lovely Kauai.’...

Love, Anne