Monday morning. Wake
up at 4:30. Quick shower, finalise packing and up to the airport. Big
‘thank-you’ to my friend G.I. and M. (her husband). I had for six weeks
wonderful home in Montreal at their place. It is snowing. Thanks to M. is the
drive quick and I am shortly after six at the airport.
 |
| Snowy Morning |
Check-in goes smooth as I did it in the evening through
Internet. I will only need to pick up boarding pass for flight from Minneapolis
to L.A. in Minneapolis. Until now no fun, but I do not need to wait too long
for the first story.
US border control happens right on the Montreal airport. The
officer gives me orders I do not understand.
‘Four right fingers on green’
‘Excuse me?’ I am looking on my hands trying to figure out which
hand is the right hand.
‘Four right fingers on green’
‘What green?’ I do not know what is he talking about.
‘The green light over here’
I do again look at my hands, which one is the right. It is
too early for me? Yes, it is. Finally I understand and put my fingers on the
green light.
‘Right thumb’ this is easy.
‘Something wrong with you, madam?’
‘No, why?’ I do not understand his question.
‘Please come with me.’
We go to back office. I waited there for few minutes. Having
enough time I am relaxed. The officers are checking on number of people. Some
of them look strange, some look quite normal.
Another officer calls me to his counter.
‘Please show me your luggage. Any alcohol or cigarettes?’
‘No’
‘Why are you travelling to US?’
‘I am visiting my friend in Hawaii.’
‘What did you do in Canada?’
‘Visited my friend and learned French.’
‘What is your job?’
‘At the moment I am taking break to study.’
‘Do you speak French now?’
‘More than before’ the officer is very nice.
‘My colleague was not happy with your behavior. He said you
were looking strangely on your hands.’
‘Yes, that is right. If somebody asks me which hand is my
right hand. I have problem to reply and it is even worst in the early morning
like today.’
You seem to me perfectly OK.’
‘Oh, thank you.’
‘Please sit down, I will finalize the protocol.’
After two minutes he called me and just said: ‘Have nice
stay in the US.’
Rest of the trip was just long, almost endless. I had a lot
to carry - my fur, ski boots bag, small carry-on case and tube-case with my
drawings.
 |
| Leavnig L.A. |
In seventeen hour landed on Maui, the most beautiful island
of Hawaii. My friend A. is waiting for me. She is a little surprised with my
dress code. We are both lucky I made the decision to come to Hawaii. Quick
drink and I am ready for bad.
Beautiful morning. Sun, wind, ocean. I went for shopping to
get some summer stuff. Done. I am ready for the adventure. My Maui home is
located just next to beach.
 |
| My Home On Maui |
I cannot resist the temptation to walk on the beach. It feels
great. I am very lucky. After five hundreds meters is part of the beach
separated with rope. I realise there is an animal.
 |
| Monk Seal Sleeping On The Beach. Do Not Disturb! |
Next morning my friend A. offers me to join her friends for
one of the most beautiful hikes to waterfall. I am not sure. Shall I do it?
Yes, I shall need every opportunity. Friend C. picks me up at nine. We go to
get another friend. Meeting with the rest of the group is in breakfast place
called IHOP. Everything is very slow. We are waiting, drinking coffee, and
having the breakfast finally. It is my second one on that day. The group
discusses what and how are we going to do it. After very long exchange of ideas
comes the conclusion. Because the hike place is more than two hours drive part
of the group goes to the hike place on the other side of the island, our half
of the group goes to Kaanapali Beach.
 |
| Kaanapali Beach |
It was one of the most amazing days in my life. We had
inflatable ‘island’ floating on the ocean. Luckily we could anchor our island
to buoy. Our sand anchor we made on the beach was not very functional. The rope
was too short and the anchor not heavy enough. It was astonishing experience. Weather showed me all Hawaii
can give - sun, showers and rainbow. And! I have seen my first whales on that
day. I hope I will have a chance to see them from closer as well.
 |
| Beautiful Dive From A Cliff. My Jump Was Not So Beautiful, But I Did It. |
To proceed with my French I will keep the one word per day
habit.
Todays French word:
beach - la plage
