From Montreal to Hawaii

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