Found Paradise when I arrived at Kalani 2/25/03

(Click pictures to enlarge)

Here is a stream of consciousness letter I was writing this afternoon (a few days after arriving) .

Its a very rustic yet very comfortable place...the pool next to a water fall, hot tubs and glass sauna...the night lighting is the pool lights reflecting off the palm trees plus a few lights pointing up to some trees every so often. there is a Christmas tree type white lights leading through a cozy tree tunnel that leads from the guest area with dinning (where I am going to work, more on that later) to the quiet volunteer area and cafe.

I chose to live on the volunteer side instead of above the kitchen because it is more peaceful. above the kitchen is the living room with TV and DVD movies (headphone listening only), the telephone and refrigerator with some snack foods and cereals. I will be in the lofts above the office, reception and cafe. only 3 rooms with a bath and the common area has a sewing machine and internet connections soon to be high-speed. We sign up for computer time and phone time, so I may get into a routine of email on certain days and calls on others....the phone number 808-965-1911 is the volunteers phone and you will be able to leave me a message on the machine..I can also set a time to receive a call from 8am to 10pm if you know a day and time you'd be calling let me know.

I writing this in the indoor/outdoor living room / kitchen of the Kai that Im staying till I move to the lofts.

I had the orientation tour today which was opposite of any job situation Ive ever been in...its soo holistic and at a natural pace...we had a 15 minute stop to pet Robinettes favorite volunteer cat...all that is lacking are monkeys in the trees. Hilo trips are every Saturday so I will go on the next trip and get a phone card that I can recharge with a credit card. the head of Kitchens put me on the schedule to start Saturday the 29th from 2-7:30pm. then I work wed and Thurs 6am-1:30pm and Sat and Sun. 2-7:30pm. the rest of the time is spent on anything I want which will rarely include commuting from one place to another. Have everything here! Jungle, Beach, Yoga, Hula classes, the massage rooms are open for volunteers to sign up and use for massage exchanges, "dolphin Dance" in a big round pool of hot salt water twice a week, movies from netflix.com, visits to the chanting hairy chrisnas up the hill, pool, hot-tubs and sauna, listening to chirps in stereo, eating papaya off the trees, smell fresh air, see thousands of stars, 24 hour tea and coffee (including yerba matte) Im glad I brought my duncin donuts thermos to take tea to the ocean which is 3 minutes walk, bicycles and snorkling gear is free to take anytime you want to ride on the car-free ocean road to the black sand beach a mile away where the dolphins and whales come to play...Ive been told the ocean at that beach decides when you enter and when you leave...I will have to see that,

todays schedule is 4:30 yoga, 6:30 phone, 7pm dinner, 10pm computer.
tommorow: dolphin dance and yoga or trip to Akaka falls
Saturday: Hilo and cooking.

If this ecstasy lasts 3 months I can extend for only $100 a month which is a lot cheaper that the mainland.

If you can, come visit, you'll love it! $30 a day includes food and board (in my room or in my large private tent) near the outdoor shower, toilets and sinks.

I must now believe that bad situations are good situations and Mr. Evil President and his corporate buddies are mostly to thank for this wonderful situation. Now just to keep them from destroying this along with the rest of the world.

Aloha! Jim

> From: "Hui Pan" <hui.pan@rcn.com>
> Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 23:03:59 -0500
> To: "Jim Reid" <carfree@mit.edu>
> Subject: RE: Aloha
>
> Hey Jim,
>
> Glad to hear you arrived Hawaii safely. I checked out your site, seemed you
> had a good party before you left Boston. too bad I could not make it.. well,
> that is part of life if you are a family man.
>
> I got your edora file as well. have not checked it out yet. I will let you
> know if it works. most likely, I will buy the software, if it is not that
> expensive..since I may need their help desk in the future.
>
> $25/hr is fine. you mentioned 8 hours. So may I wirte you a check for
> $25x8=$200. Could I make it payable to Jim Reid, and mail to the following
> address -
>
> Jim Reid
> Kalani Oceanside Retreat
> RR2 Box 4500
> Pahoa, HI 96778
>
> --
>
> to make it safe, I can also send you a letter without the check just to make
> sure you can receive mail from there. After you receive my letter , let me
> know via phone or email, then I can mail the check.
>
> enjoy the life in Hawaii. --all for now. --hui
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim Reid [mailto:carfree@mit.edu]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 3:41 PM
> To: Hui Pan
> Subject: Aloha