Ecstatic dance, Kehena Beach, the Joy of Art, and more!

Aloha!

It's been a while since my last post but I've been pretty busy! Here's what I've been up to:

Sunday morning Sammi the kitchen manager took a bunch of us to the Maukai (definitely spelled wrong) market 1/2 an hour away. The vendors ranged from homemade tea, to lava rock jewelry, to massages, to local produce. The prices weren't to steep because it's a market mostly for locals so I scored two pairs of lovely turquoise earrings for $13. I wish I had been hungry because there were plenty of delicious options ranging from Hawaiian food to tamales. It was very small but plenty to see and buy, filled with friendly faces and delicious smells.

When we got back I headed straight to Ecstatic Dance. Ecstatic Dance is basically a free for all. You move - or don't move - exactly how you feel. There's a DJ sometimes accompanied by live musicians (this time a fiddle player, electric guitarist, and drummer) who usually play an eclectic mix of house and world music. The only rule is that it is largely an individual experience and that you only engage with someone if they invite you or if you know they don't mind partnering with you. The whole experience was really interesting and definitely strange. I think being a dancer made it more difficult for me to let go  but I definitely want to go again so I can work on things and spend the whole time there (we only made the second half). That afternoon I was also able to make it to a casual art class held at the Lower Lanai by a wonderfully joyful woman named, of course, Joy. I just got to paint and relax for the afternoon.

Yesterday (Monday) I had my first AM shift! 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It was so much work! We had a staff meeting half way through followed by a kitchen staff meeting followed by a 25 minute break so we ending up cutting out two hours of precious kitchen time! But we made it through breakfast and lunch nonetheless. The staff meeting was another first for me here. At the meeting they have a time for announcements, inspirational sharings, witnessings of the spirit of aloha, and a circle at the end for a ceremonial type close to the meeting (led by Richard, the founder of Kalani).

After my busy shift I went over to Kehena Beach about a mile and a half down the road with Julia, a kitchen volunteer from Austria, who was kind enough to invite me and show me the ropes. Getting into the ocean on the Puna side is some real work! We walked down a cliff to get to the beautiful little black sand beach. Since the waves are so strong you have to wait for a lull to jump in but once you get in the salty ocean gently carries you and although I usually feel nervous in the ocean, I felt quite safe and peaceful out there.

When I came back I spent a bit of time by the pool before heading over to TranZenDance. It is not at all what it sounds like, a bit more like Zumba (Mor-Mor you would've approved!). Everyone was a sweaty happy mess by the end and it was really fun. It felt great to move and especially in such a safe non-judgmental environment. After that I had a tasty dinner and fell asleep by 7:30! I think everyone here turns into babies again and goes to sleep early and wakes up early (myself included). I've become especially comfortable with a couple people here which has been a comfort, I can see myself relaxing and becoming more a part of the Kalani flow day by day.

Today I am off of work! I plan to go to an Osho meditation class this morning and then a couple of yoga classes in the afternoon (Sarah, yes, that is two :) ). Looking forward to an active but rewarding day in beautiful Hawaii.

Aloha, wishing you all well!