Hello, hello! So, here's the story: Flying out to Kaua'i was pretty easy. I got to fly on the smallest plane I've ever been on. It was something like 30 seats. Maybe that's not that small, but it was new to me! Don, the owner of the farm (who we will discuss shortly, because he's quite "interesting") picked me up and drove me the short distance to his property in Lihu'e. Lihu'e is the most built-up part of Kaua'i, but the cool thing is that Don's farm is located in this valley surrounded by mountains so you can't see any of the surrounding town. He owns about 35 acres of lush land that's covered in Coconut, Papaya, avocado trees, taro, and construction-grade hardwoods like bamboo. There are several tanks that hold tilapia, and he has a herd of sheep, a donkey, and a water buffalo bull name Kane. To say the least, the property is beautiful and a very relaxing place to settle. I get this cute little cabin all to myself. It's pretty sweet. : )
The property doesn't have electricity so it's been a bit of a transition. Boy, when it gets dark that's it. You stay up with a head lamp or you go to bed. My sleeping patterns have definately changed; it's up with the sun and to bed soon after dark. That's for now, because I'm hoping soon to branch out and find my own scene here so I can actually do some activities at night instead of going to bed at 9 pm like an old lady.
So far I haven't actually been doing much farming. Don is at the end of building a house for himself on the property (He's been living in a yurt for the last 30 years or so) so, unfortunately, the bulk of what I have been helping with has been domestic stuff for the house. He assures me, though, that that will change in a couple weeks when the house is finished. He's got big plans for the farm. Besides the many plantings and grafting of other plants on the farm he's expaning the farm into something of an eco-resort where he'll teach people to live sustainably. He's going to build about 10 full-scale treehouses in these giant monkeypod trees and have people come and stay there. I get to be a part of building all of that as well as helping install the alternative energy techonology, like hydropower, that he will use when he adds electricity. He's adding electricity (self-sustained, off-the-grid) so, it won't be all dark for too much longer.
Don: Ok, so now for the funnier stuff :D
Don, a man in his 60's, in shape, sun-wrinkled skin, curly blonde-grey hair, picks me up from the airport. Seems like a nice enough guy (I should hope so since I planned on spending a good bit of time with him)....after the nice to meet yous one of the first things he says to me before we're even out of the airport is "man, I'm so tired. This sweet little friend of mine, Susie, called me at midnight and wanted to get together for dinner....and breakfast (wink). So, needless to say I am tired!" He continues on every once and awhile muttering "mmm, mmm Susie." All I could think was "oh, shit. That can't be good...." The drive back to his farm is a short one. I've put the creepy old man feelings out of my mind for a moment because there's lots of anticipation as he walks me around the farm explaining things and telling me about all of the cool projects we'll be doing together. Don is also the district aquatic biologist for the island of Kaua'i and says he's happy to involve me in his work and help me pursue a career here in biology (grant co-writing, volunteering, assisting with projects). Then we get to the house and he points out to me where he served Susie breakfast in bed. It's all I can do not to run like hell cuz this is weird. I'm super worried at this point that I should be nervous for myself, but as the days pass I realize that his creepy stuff is thankfully not going to be directed at me....oh, no, his sex jokes and comments are relegated to his 4 (or more) girlfriends! Apparently, he's currently in search of his soulmate (he's actually writing a book on the very subject - no lie) so he does a lot of online dating. He talks about how special each of them are and will randomly start singing about them inserting their names into the same song. "Oh sweet, Malea..., Oh sweet, Katrina," and so on. Some of them he hasn't ever met, but has talked to for years. Susie lives here, but Malea is from Long Beach, CA(she's here visiting right now. It isn't going well, lots of fighting), Katrina is in China(he's going there at the end of this month), and Kay is the recent Ex of 4 years who he keeps saying he's still in love with. I haven't heard much about the others... I mean, ....wow.
Besides the weird girlfriend thing, Don has other quirks. Let me just say first that he is super generous. He's taken care of every bit of food and other items I've needed so I haven't even spent a single dime since being here. He's invited me on all of the outings that he and Malea go on so I've been able to see the island a lot (Waimea Canyon, Napali coast (incredible!!). Besides that he is incredibly knowledgeable about nearly everything. He is apparently a pretty big deal on the island. His expert opinion is always getting asked for on legislation and court cases and project developments. I'm pretty impressed, really. Thing is....he knows so much (and he wants to share ALL of it) that he talks incessently. I mean, non-stop, all the time. He points out every species of flora and fauna, gives me the background, tells me the history. He makes constant social commentary. He's a terrible listner. He only hears what he wants, so I'll make a comment and he'll say "no, well actually..." and just repeat what I had said. The man is condescending and tends to talk to women like they're inept five year olds I had to tell him to stop saying "good girl" everytime I did any small thing. So, unfortunately, I find him to be somewhat of an ass. I keep telling myself, though, it's worth it, it's worth it. Just put up with him and you'll get to do lots of cool stuff. And I have so far. I've planted a few papaya nursuries, built a shed, and got to assist in a green sea turtle rescue and release. Next Friday I'm assisting in a turtle discussion to a class of 4th graders. He says he'll take me sailing, snorkling at some reefs, teach me to surf, and let me come along when he does aerial surveys by helicopter!
So, what I'm trying to say, if not incredibly long-windedly, is that things are definately interesting here. Everything is fraught with potential and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. :D
The property doesn't have electricity so it's been a bit of a transition. Boy, when it gets dark that's it. You stay up with a head lamp or you go to bed. My sleeping patterns have definately changed; it's up with the sun and to bed soon after dark. That's for now, because I'm hoping soon to branch out and find my own scene here so I can actually do some activities at night instead of going to bed at 9 pm like an old lady.
So far I haven't actually been doing much farming. Don is at the end of building a house for himself on the property (He's been living in a yurt for the last 30 years or so) so, unfortunately, the bulk of what I have been helping with has been domestic stuff for the house. He assures me, though, that that will change in a couple weeks when the house is finished. He's got big plans for the farm. Besides the many plantings and grafting of other plants on the farm he's expaning the farm into something of an eco-resort where he'll teach people to live sustainably. He's going to build about 10 full-scale treehouses in these giant monkeypod trees and have people come and stay there. I get to be a part of building all of that as well as helping install the alternative energy techonology, like hydropower, that he will use when he adds electricity. He's adding electricity (self-sustained, off-the-grid) so, it won't be all dark for too much longer.
Don: Ok, so now for the funnier stuff :D
Don, a man in his 60's, in shape, sun-wrinkled skin, curly blonde-grey hair, picks me up from the airport. Seems like a nice enough guy (I should hope so since I planned on spending a good bit of time with him)....after the nice to meet yous one of the first things he says to me before we're even out of the airport is "man, I'm so tired. This sweet little friend of mine, Susie, called me at midnight and wanted to get together for dinner....and breakfast (wink). So, needless to say I am tired!" He continues on every once and awhile muttering "mmm, mmm Susie." All I could think was "oh, shit. That can't be good...." The drive back to his farm is a short one. I've put the creepy old man feelings out of my mind for a moment because there's lots of anticipation as he walks me around the farm explaining things and telling me about all of the cool projects we'll be doing together. Don is also the district aquatic biologist for the island of Kaua'i and says he's happy to involve me in his work and help me pursue a career here in biology (grant co-writing, volunteering, assisting with projects). Then we get to the house and he points out to me where he served Susie breakfast in bed. It's all I can do not to run like hell cuz this is weird. I'm super worried at this point that I should be nervous for myself, but as the days pass I realize that his creepy stuff is thankfully not going to be directed at me....oh, no, his sex jokes and comments are relegated to his 4 (or more) girlfriends! Apparently, he's currently in search of his soulmate (he's actually writing a book on the very subject - no lie) so he does a lot of online dating. He talks about how special each of them are and will randomly start singing about them inserting their names into the same song. "Oh sweet, Malea..., Oh sweet, Katrina," and so on. Some of them he hasn't ever met, but has talked to for years. Susie lives here, but Malea is from Long Beach, CA(she's here visiting right now. It isn't going well, lots of fighting), Katrina is in China(he's going there at the end of this month), and Kay is the recent Ex of 4 years who he keeps saying he's still in love with. I haven't heard much about the others... I mean, ....wow.
Besides the weird girlfriend thing, Don has other quirks. Let me just say first that he is super generous. He's taken care of every bit of food and other items I've needed so I haven't even spent a single dime since being here. He's invited me on all of the outings that he and Malea go on so I've been able to see the island a lot (Waimea Canyon, Napali coast (incredible!!). Besides that he is incredibly knowledgeable about nearly everything. He is apparently a pretty big deal on the island. His expert opinion is always getting asked for on legislation and court cases and project developments. I'm pretty impressed, really. Thing is....he knows so much (and he wants to share ALL of it) that he talks incessently. I mean, non-stop, all the time. He points out every species of flora and fauna, gives me the background, tells me the history. He makes constant social commentary. He's a terrible listner. He only hears what he wants, so I'll make a comment and he'll say "no, well actually..." and just repeat what I had said. The man is condescending and tends to talk to women like they're inept five year olds I had to tell him to stop saying "good girl" everytime I did any small thing. So, unfortunately, I find him to be somewhat of an ass. I keep telling myself, though, it's worth it, it's worth it. Just put up with him and you'll get to do lots of cool stuff. And I have so far. I've planted a few papaya nursuries, built a shed, and got to assist in a green sea turtle rescue and release. Next Friday I'm assisting in a turtle discussion to a class of 4th graders. He says he'll take me sailing, snorkling at some reefs, teach me to surf, and let me come along when he does aerial surveys by helicopter!
So, what I'm trying to say, if not incredibly long-windedly, is that things are definately interesting here. Everything is fraught with potential and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. :D
The green sea turtle (a honu) that we went and released
At Spouting Horn in Kaua'i
2 comments:
i love it when things are fraught with potential. so terrifying and awesome at the same time! and no choice but to sit back and enjoy this ride you've put yourself on. i'm so happy for you, dude. sounds like things are going exactly as they should (though i do wish you had been able to do mt. st. helen's and crater lake). is it just you and mr. talkypants at the farm or are there other helper types? might i recommend you read a book called "the last american man" by elizabeth gilbert? it might give you some perspective on this fellow you have found yourself living with.
love you to the end of time darlin'. miss you lots.
I think you need to write a book about this guy. Which is probably exactly what he wants. So whatever you do, don't write a book about him.
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