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2014 .. Time of Hope

12/31/2013

They have already celebrated in Paris and in a few hours the fireworks at Poipu Beach will indicate the beginning of a new time .. 2014 est arrive! .. 2014 has arrived!

Have you noticed .. we humanoids are the only creatures celebrating ..

I suspect we will always be the only celebrants, since we are the only inhabitants of our planet who need Hope ... all other entities being in perfect balance and harmony. We need Hope because we are perfectly imperfect .. unique to the Universe in our ability to mess things up which were pristine in nature, then exhibit incredible powers of reason, calculation, and resilience for "repair thru reconstruction". All the while we manage to love and nurture - hate and destroy .. a simultaneous juxtaposition of intangibles.

In our imperfection lies the key to humanity. If we have nothing to "make better", will we have any need for our human based emotions and actions? Maybe our greatest communal gift is that unique nature to "mess it up",   which facilitates the perfectly human experience of "making it better" .. naturally requiring a big dose of Hope.

How do we measure Hope?  We created a calendar for that purpose.  Every 365 days we solemnly renew our very humanoid vows that what we trashed in the previous 365 days will be repaired or improved in the next 365 days ... at least we certainly Hope so.

There is nothing like us

We are beautifully unique

We are a creation of mystery

and we aren't supposed to know the answers .. yet

Therefore ...

Enjoy the wonder of it all ... every moment is meant to be a mystery. We are the only beings designed to navigate and decipher this complex Code of Life .. embrace every moment of it.

Turn the page on your calendar and smile. That measurement is unique to you and your fellow humanoids. Only we can appreciate and enjoy the significance of that simple act. Live in the Light of Hope ... we were specifically designed for it.

Happy New Year!
2014
I Hope you enjoy Great Health, Happiness, & Prosperity in 2014 ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

2014 est arrive! .. 2014 has arrived!

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Tinkerbelle in 2014

12/28/2013

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TINKERBELLE'S FAVORITE SEAT ON KAUAI

New Years Resolutions = Overly optimistic dream states which lead humanoids to believe we will at last realize grandeur, finalize goals, and/or complete the unfinished projects we have allowed to "languish in our anguish" for the previous three hundred sixty five day period of our lives.

This will be the year! Does that phrase sound familiar? January 1st, 2014 will be that awe-inspiring new beginning we've waited for .. ? We know Tinkerbelle is ready to swoop down and sprinkle magic fairy dust on us .. ? This is the year we "hit the big one" .. ?

right ..

listen up, humanoid .. let me tell you one important thing ...

"Yes, 2104 is the year!" This is the year Tinkerbelle will swoop down and sprinkle magic fairy dust on you. 2014 will be that awe-inspiring new beginning you've waited for and, "Yes, you are going to hit the big one!"

Dear friends, please feel much happiness in your hearts. Humanoids are winning! Our eyes are opening and we are becoming more in touch with the nature of our home as each season passes. Our children are wiser, more empathetic, and filled with the passion of life. We are nearer than ever to applying the wonders of our intelligence and creativity toward achievement of a past due harmonious relationship with Mother Earth.

and most importantly ...

As the need for basic survival increases, the power of greed is beginning to dissipate.

Therefore, we will make 2014 that awe-inspiring year each of us wants it to be. We will come closer than ever to feeding the hungry, healing the sick, befriending our enemies and creating a world that nurtures everyone. All these wonders will come to fruition because you are going to have a stupendous year.

It's simple ..

Trust in new beginnings and make that New Years Resolution. We can all follow our hearts and vow to accomplish goals that make us better and our world a better place in 2014. Our personal resolutions affect every other being on the planet. When we sit to prepare our hopes and dreams for the coming year, we are empowered to make our world a better place simply by wishing for concepts that not only enrich us on a personal level, but also enrich those around us in every way. I suspect the rewards in this method of thinking are great, so please make a New Years Resolution and follow it to a successful and gratifying conclusion. You will benefit .. We will benefit.

Goodness will happen because WE believe it and WE want it and WE strive to gently cultivate and embrace it within our collective consciousness.

Smile .. 2014 is coming and Tinkerbelle wants us to be happy. I'm told she has enough magic fairy dust for everyone ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

POIPU, KAUAI ... OBVIOUSLY SPRINKLED BY TINKERBELLE

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A Christmas Wish

12/24/2013

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How I wish I could close my eyes, raise my arms to the sky and make it better. How I wish I could put food on every table and a smile on every face. I wish I could stop the violence and carnage around our world. I wish to never see another human being suffering. I wish a home for all .. a place of comfort, peace, security, and love.

I can't do it ... I can only wish it.

WE can do it .. WE can do anything together. WE were given the power of our own destiny through intellect, free will, and the innate knowledge of right from wrong.

My Christmas Wish? ... that every thinking/feeling man and woman on planet earth become aware of the knowledge, and clearly hear the message, that ALL must gather to become WE ...

because WE will make it better ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

Peace on Earth ... Good will to ALL

Mele Kalikimaka et Joyeux Noël,

Bill

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Heroes

12/19/2013

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LADIES OF PERTH

I drove to the shopping center in Ele'ele this past Monday to purchase a card for my Son and his Family. It was a nice day and the shopping center was buzzing with activity. Outside the grocery store's front door stood four young ladies who appeared to be waiting for their ride. These girls stood out from the crowd because no one ever stands in front of the store entrance like they were standing, and because they were carrying much more "stuff" than a Kama'aina would normally carry. It was fairly obvious they were visitors to the island. I walked by them to enter the store, acknowledging the Salvation Army bell ringer on my way inside.

I love the shopping center in Ele'ele .. it represents and displays many of the fine qualities within the social fabric of Kauai. This place is inhabited by regular people coming and going in their regular lives on this "anything but regular" paradise in the middle of an ocean. This is a "place displaced" from areas that are typical haunts of visitors who come to enjoy the fantasy they've imagined. This place is alive in a different manner than the beaches, restaurants, and designer shops.   This place is home and haven for those who happily and unselfishly give to create the ambiance of Aloha on our island for everyone fortunate enough to touch these shores. Walking the aisles of the grocery store in Ele'ele Shopping Center is where I see my heros .. the beautiful working folks of Kauai.

I made my way to the cards Monday, looked through them for a couple of minutes, then walked to another aisle where I recalled seeing a few more cards. When I got to that aisle, it became instantly apparent the previous selection was much better and I turned to go back to that area. As I turned, a young lady walked up to the cards and was obviously dismayed by the poor selection, so I mentioned the other aisle and she joined me as we trekked back to select cards appropriate to our individual occasions. As it turned out, the really good cards were in packs of 12, with 13 envelopes just in case you blow it and need an extra.  I always suspect the extra envelope was done with me in mind since I generally need one envelope in the beginning in order to exercise my perfectionist spacing habits .. sigh.

Nothing is particularly inexpensive on Kauai. Considering the distances involved and the cost of transporting goods, higher prices should come as no surprise to anyone. One need only watch the slow progress of a tugboat pulling a barge full of paper goods in from Oahu to fully grasp the reason for added costs. As the young lady's face became more and more contorted while I watched her turn each box over and look at the prices, it became obvious to me this was a major purchase, and not necessarily a comfortable purchase.

I suck at sending cards. It's not that I don't want to wish everyone the very best during the holiday season, and it's certainly not that I don't wish every human being on the planet wonderful thoughts for a prosperous and peaceful year to come. I just suck at getting the job done.  That's why the telephone and the internet were invented .. so "Sucky Card Senders" like me can earn a reprieve from those whom I hope know I love them. I didn't need twelve cards and thirteen envelopes.

"How many cards do you need?", I asked the young lady.  "Ten" was her concise and positive reply. She then smiled and began telling me about the people in her life who were destined to be the lucky recipients of her thoughtfulness. "Do you like this card?" I asked her as I held up the box of my favorite. "That's the one I love too!" was her exuberant reply.

I bought a box of cards this past Monday. It was my honor to present ten of them (and eleven envelopes) to a young lady who was ever so thankful. I sent one of those cards to my Son and his wonderful Family and, true to form, there is still one card in the side pocket of my car door. Should have given her eleven!

There is a wonderful feeling which can only be experienced through the act of giving. I walked out the front door of the grocery at Ele'ele Shopping Center enjoying that feeling and there stood four young ladies ... still. Since I was feeling good, and since I'm not exactly the bashful type to begin with, I looked at the group and laughingly asked them if they were waiting for Santa Claus. They were not waiting for Santa Claus. They were in a quandary concerning how to return to Kapaa, on the other side of the island. Seems they had missed the island bus, didn't know when the next bus would appear, and the collective anxiousness to return to their hotel and an awaiting surf lesson showed itself when they told me they were calling for a cab. All of this was expressed in a lovely Australian accent .. nice girls. I wished them well and walked to the car.

My car was facing directly towards those young ladies and you know what happened next. As I stopped in front of them and declared I was going to take them "home", their smiles enhanced an already gratifying day. We had a wonderful drive. I showed them places they probably wouldn't have seen in their short time on Kauai and they filled the car with a vibrant energy I would never have experienced had I not listened to the voice inside, urging me to act with Aloha. The ladies were at the end of a six week odyssey to America ... I hope they liked us. Ladies of Perth, if you are reading this blog I want to say "Mahalo" to you for spreading your wings and letting us experience you. I also invite you to CLICK HERE for one mans view concerning the importance of travel to all humans on earth, our shared home. Ladies, you are great Ambassadors .. keep up the good work!

I'm the lucky one. I am the recipient of happiness which can only occur as a result of giving.  I was fortunate to receive a wonderful confirmation of this universal law on Monday at Ele'ele Shopping Center .. where a good person sits, waving a bell for the Salvation Army.

I'm a very common man who lives and works on the island of Kauai.   I frequently do business at Ele'ele Shopping center. My heroes walk those aisles of the grocery store, stand in line at the bank, and buy a prescription for their colds at the pharmacy. By their example I am learning Aloha .. hoping one day I will be someone's hero too,  as I'm certain all of you will be ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

Aloha et Au revoir,
Bill

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I wanna

12/14/2013

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I wanna

I wanna be beautiful like a flower
I wanna rise out of the dirt

I wanna ..

I wanna scent that produces smiles
I wanna cause happiness

I wanna ..

I wanna be soft to touch
I wanna tickle noses

I wanna ..

I wanna grow where strife prevails
I wanna dry your tears

I wanna ..

I wanna reach one glorious moment
I wanna shine in the sun

I wanna ..

I wanna create one lasting memory
I wanna leave a good one

I wanna ..

I wanna stop tryin'
I wanna be free

I wanna ..

I wanna be beautiful like a flower
I wanna be me ...

I wanna ..

***

Each of us will discover our core essence, become the beautiful flowers we are meant to be, and share our gifts unselfishly with one another ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

Looking Back ... Click here for a blast from the past

Merci et Mahalo for stopping by,

Bill

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Winter on Kauai ~or~ Goodbye FRED

12/12/2013

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Fine folks from around our world depart their ice encrusted homes to experience a Winter holiday on beautiful Kauai. I wonder how many of these visitors realize we are in the dead of winter while they are lying on the beach, soaking up the rays of an eighty degree sun and watching for the next whale to breach on a perfect Hawaiian day.

Yes,  everyone, we do experience the same Winter you experience in Chicago, New York, and Paris.  Even though the temperature doesn't vary so much and there is no terrestrial covering of frozen liquids, please know we are suffering.  Good example; over the last two weeks I have watched in dismay as my prized plumeria tree shed its leaves. In a very short period of time this lovely green tree with the beautiful and aromatic flowers has become a simple geometric form, sitting naked in the middle of all those other plants that never shed their lovely "plumage". This completely destroys the conformity of a perfect visual feast at the driveway and entrance to our home. I'll never understand why plumeria is the only plant in our yard recognizing the change of season and disrupting the entire balance we work so hard to maintain. I must remind myself to be strong and accept the inevitable .. it is Winter.

I will .. I must .. accept these seasonal changes which completely disrupt the perfection of our island home. Smaller "winter mangos" instead of the oversize Hayden's, shorter days which allow a little less beach time (though I must say a nighttime Luau with Tiki Torches is a special "winter treat" .. or summer ..), and I recall one evening a few years back when I actually had to wear a long sleeve shirt .. can you imagine!   But I will muddle through, folks, and come next Spring I will rejoice as the plumeria once again puts forth those strong skinny leaves which facilitate fragrant flowers. I'll gut it out with the smaller winter mangos (note: the winter mangos have an incredible flavor!), having to peel two instead of just one magnificent Hayden. I'll continue to harvest my papaya regularly, just so the plumeria doesn't feel too naked in the face of those nearby trees which are bursting with luscious fruit all year long.  Most importantly, I will make certain to speak regularly to the many orchids and other blossoming flowers over the next few months as they bravely endure the frigid 64 degree nighttime temperatures. We will make it !

All will be well on Kauai this Winter.  Visitors will enjoy our beautiful beaches as we suffer in silence amidst the ravages of Winter.

But what about FRED ?

LORD FRED AND A COUPLE OF HIS SUBJECTS .. MIDNIGHT ON KAUAI

There have been so many queries about the welfare of FRED my midnight buddy (click here to go meet FRED and hear his story) as Winter charges in, I feel compelled to share the following with you:

As if the failing plumeria, the smaller mangos, and the shorter "beach challenged" days were not enough .. it saddens me to share with you, my faithful followers and Friends of FRED, that his Royal Toadness has not appeared for some time. Further, shortly after FRED no longer graced us with midnight appearances for our chats .. his entire following dwindled, until now .. three weeks later .. there is not one visitor as Baby, Vicious Bitch and I gaze into the darkness, longing for our lost friends.

Damn this Winter! Damn this disruptive force which separates the best of friends and decimates special moments with its frigid nightly onslaught of 65 degree weather! Oh, the cruelest of the cruel .. driving a wise and humble creature to languish deep within the earth while Winter has its way with us. Okay, I can deal with the plumeria, eat the smaller mangos (they do taste good!), suffer the shorter days and bear the plunging temperatures .. but FRED .. you have to mess with FRED !?! Damn, damn, and double damn Winter .. have you no heart?

Dear Readers: I pledge to you and I pledge to FRED I will hold my head high, though my heart is heavy. I will not forget the familiar sound as he comes up the steps, nor will I forget the many nights he has shared with Vicious Bitch, Baby, and me. We will honor his memory as the months drag by and the icy grip of Winter attempts to erase all that is good on Kauai. And, as God is my witness, we will be there on a glorious Springtime night when once again Winter will be nothing more than a bitter memory and FRED will arise to be with us once again. Yes, folks, we will make it. Don't cry for us on Kauai ...

but please do keep FRED in your hearts ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

until he is freed from Winters savage fury.

Aloha,
Bill

Looking Back .. Click here for a blast from the past

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Day Trippin' for Pualani Gold

12/8/2013

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MY CHARIOT AWAITS

Hawaiian is the only airline I use for flights to and from Kauai and the mainland. I have flown Hawaiian since 1987 and would never consider another carrier .. it would seem traitorous, much like flying any airline other than Air France or her sister company Delta when I continue from LAX across the pond to Europe.

There is a wonderful ambience about any Hawaiian flight. Maybe it's the warm Aloha greeting I always feel is so genuine upon boarding, or the pre-flight videos of Hula and Hawaiian music, or the food that is familiar to those of us who live in the islands. Whatever it is, I like it and I don't like to think about the possibility that my Hawaiian Airlines would never be available to me .. what a horrible thought!

For several years now I have been fortunate enough to be a Pualani Gold member. Pualani Gold designation is reached each year by flying a particular number of miles or a particular number of segments with Hawaiian. Since travel is a priority with me, I make certain to keep an eye on mileage and reach the number of required miles.   The benefits of this designation are certainly worth the effort of monitoring mileage. First to board the plane (after children, elderly, and disabled of course), bonus mileage for every flight purchased, and excellent upgrade benefits. I truly do enjoy the status and benefits of Pualani Gold.

As is typically the case, I flew a lot this year.  For 2013 I hopped on several flights for pleasure and a couple for business .. my usual. Not thinking anything might be awry, two weeks ago it occurred to me I might want to check my Pualani status for the coming year. I went online, signed in to Hawaiian's site, and proceeded to the Hawaiian Miles area .. just to make certain I was looking good. The number of miles I needed to qualify was 20,000 ... YIKES !!! - guess who only had a total of 19,882 and no further flights planned for the year. 118 miles short and the only phrase repeatedly coming to my mind was "are you kidding me!".

Wednesday night of this past week I didn't sleep a wink. This is common with me the night before I fly. In fact, the one and only time I can imagine to be slightly unpleasant about the fascinating pursuit of travel is the night before. Tossing and turning, looking at the clock, listening for the alarm, and finally getting out of bed hours before I need to because sleep is simply impossible. My flight was to depart Lihue at 7:30AM Thursday, which had me leaving the house at 5:30. The roads were totally clear that morning .. more quiet than I believe I've ever seen them. The line at PSA was nearly non-existent - another amazing phenomenon. Between the roads being clear, the security line being nearly empty, and the fact I left the house at a time which would allow for major delays, I stood in the terminal at 6:15 looking at a wait of over an hour for the flight to Honolulu. What do you do in a situation like this?  Of course you head straight for Starbucks .. you know, to further enhance the already substantial caffeine buzz you got at the house from sucking up on Yuban for the last two hours. That'll keep me calm, cool, and collected .. Yeah!

Mercifully, the time did go by, our boarding proceeded smoothly (first on .. no kids or old folks!) and I got my window seat. The flight from Lihue to Honolulu is quick .. about 35 minutes .. 35 minutes I believe a young lady from Lihue will never forget, as she was bombarded by the pleasant but never ending verbal volley from a heavily caffeinated gentleman sitting next to her in the window seat. Poor girl, I should have gotten her mailing address so I could send a Get Well Soon to her left ear. Shame on me .. I don't know one thing about that young lady, but she knows ALL about how I was flying to Honolulu then turning around and coming straight back to Lihue .. just to get my missing 118 miles. Fascinating story .. just what a seatmate wants to hear on an early morning flight. I'm fairly certain the only time I shut my mouth was to drink the in flight coffee. The term "What a Knucklehead" comes to mind.

Some places are sacred. Chow Mein Express in the Honolulu Interisland Terminal is one of those places. When leaving from or returning to beautiful Hawaii, CME is the "must do" experience, guaranteed to imprint the warm memory of home as I leave the islands .. guaranteed to remind me of what a wonderful place I am fortunate to live in upon my return. On this trip, I enjoyed some fried rice and two pieces of French Bread. Yes, rice for breakfast .. this is Hawaii. As always, the food was ono (good) and the coffee was nice and hot.

True to form, Hawaiian Airlines came to my rescue Thursday morning. My reservation had me sitting in the terminal for nearly 3 hours prior to flying home .. but a kind man at the Hawaiian desk got me on an earlier flight ... after he stopped laughing at my continued story (told to anyone who would listen).

Friday, someone asked where I had been Thursday morning.   I smiled and told him the absolute truth:

"What a fantastic day!" I exclaimed, "I drove to the airport and the roads were practically empty. The security line in the terminal only had 2 people in front of me. Those girls at Starbucks were so nice .. did you know they come to work at 4:30 in the morning!?! I got on the plane right away and had the nicest young lady sitting next to me for the flight .. we had a great conversation. I enjoyed a fantastic meal at one of my favorite restaurants in Honolulu, took care of the business I needed to handle, and Hawaiian Airlines got me an early flight home. What a wonderful day!"

I received 500 miles each way for my Thursday excursion. That figure is 882 miles more than I needed for my 2014 Pualani Gold designation. More importantly, I am the beneficiary of yet one more travel memory .. which is truly Golden. Nontheless, I'll be watching the mail for my new card.

Wishing each of you Safe Journeys et Bon voyage filled with special memories ..

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

Aloha et Au revoir,

Bill

Looking Back - Click Here for a blast from the past!

CHOWMEIN EXPRESS .. LIKE MOTHER'S MILK

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The Honorable Nakamura Family of Au'wae Road Kauai

12/7/2013

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HOW TO MAKE A RUSTY FENCE ATTRACTIVE .. KAUAI STYLE

Kauai's natural bounty is surpassed only by the generosity of Her wonderful people. The giving nature inherent to the Kama'aina (pronounced caw-ma-eye-na) of Kauai is astounding.  Kama'aina are those of us who live on the island and is translated as "child of the land" in Wikipedia, but I prefer the richer sound "child of the earth". Living here is a blessing that less than seventy thousand Kama'aina enjoy ... seventy thousand of the luckiest human beings on earth. No matter what circumstance brought us here, whether we are Kanaka Maoli (indigenous native Hawaiians) or transplants from another place ... we are all Kama'aina who bear the responsibility of honouring and respecting our aina (the earth), living the virtues of Aloha, and sharing our good fortune with those around us.  Giving is not a random act on Kauai - it is the pulse of life embodied in Aloha and it occurs as regularly as breathing the fragrant tropical air.

A couple of days ago there was a soft knock at our door.   When I looked to see who was visiting, I was pleasantly surprised to find our neighbors' daughter. Jean Nakamura was standing there with a five gallon plastic bucket full of macadamia nuts she recently collected from beneath their trees .. no small task. She not only gave us the nuts, but also brought along a husker/nut cracker for me to use and hand written instructions on everything from husking and cracking to roasting the nuts and how to dip them in melted chocolate in order to make one of Hawaii's greatest treats. Today I walked out our door to discover a brown grocery bag full of star fruit with a nice note from Jean .. yet another unexpected treat. I invite you to scroll down at the end of this post for photos of the macadamia nuts and the process of preparing them.

Jean and her brother Ken actually live in Honolulu. They come to Kauai every weekend and clean and mow and maintain the land that was home to their youth. I witnessed their Father caring for the land himself until his passing three years ago at the age of 96.   Yes, at 96 years of age this wonderful Japanese man pushed a mower around a property that is partially hilly, full of many plants and trees, and appears to be nearly 3 acres in size. He had the physique of a 40 year old man and I was amazed to discover his age after he died. Since the passing of Mr. Nakamura, I have learned from his wife and children that he and Mrs. Nakamura moved onto their property in 1959. They lived there happily until his death .. Mrs. Nakamura has lived there alone since that time. Interestingly, in June of 2011, when I was just getting started with this blog I wrote a poem entitled Love Wail that was inspired in part by Mr. & Mrs. Nakamura. If you would like to read it, please CLICK.

Jean and her Brother Ken have been here frequently over the last couple of weeks. They have been mowing, trimming, picking fruit, gathering macadamia nuts and still taking time to walk around and share with their neighbors. They are preparing for a momentous event.

Tomorrow, Mrs. Nakamura leaves her life of 54 years. She leaves the beautiful home and grounds she and her husband created together. She leaves the place where they raised and guided their two incredible children. She leaves the aina they cared for ... the plants and trees they lovingly nurtured for all those years. Tomorrow, Mrs. Nakamura is moving into an assisted living care facility.

I cannot imagine the depth of feeling within the Honorable Nakamura Family of Au'wae Road tonight, as I sit in my office sharing what little I know about them with you. I do know they embody everything I find dear about this place .. Kauai. The memory of this family is forever precious to me.  Their spirit has touched me deeply. They have given. Their essence will be forever present on the beautiful property they loved and shared with all of us. They honor Kauai and they are true Kama'aina .. in the highest sense of the word.

Mahalo Nui Loa Nakamura Family .. God be with you ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

Aloha,

Bill Facker

Looking Back - Click Here or on the link below for a blast from the past!

http://kauai-to-paris.com/2/post/2011/05/cleaning-paris.html

KEN NAKAMURA WEED WHACKING .. LOOKS JUST LIKE HIS FATHER

MACADAMIA NUTS FRESH FROM THE TREE AND READY TO HUSK

VICIOUS BITCH PROTECTING ME WHILE I WORK

DRYING .. WITH ALOHA FROM THE NAKAMURA FAMILY OF AU'WAE ROAD

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Coucou & Aloha

12/3/2013

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     It is nearly impossible to assign specific meaning to the word "Aloha". In fact, it would be sacrilege to dilute this wonderful word by placing restrictions upon its usage.   The intended nuances go to the very core of everything good and in harmony within the amazing culture of the Kanaka Maoli .. Hawaii's indigenous peoples. I am not qualified to attempt an in depth explanation of Aloha. The best I can do to dignify myself in a "pono" (right and righteous) manner is to say "Mahalo" (Thank You) to those who have carried this word graciously through the ages so the rest of us are now honoured to speak it. I do believe the word "Aloha" represents the highest form of loving expression any person can verbalize .. finalized with the soft "ha", wishing the breath of life to the person we address.   Aloha is a beautiful and humbling word .. worthy of the highest respect and contemplation regarding its usage .. a word one must always share with true affection and love for its recipient. To not give the deepest thought to its meaning every time we say "Aloha" certainly demeans and diminishes its beauty and intent.

      "Aloha" is so unique to Hawaiian culture that even whispering it outside these islands brings instant recognition of the tropical paradise from where it originated. It defines a people and their soft, generous way of life. If my amateurish assessment of the word "Aloha" is near correct .. conveying powerfully spiritual nuance to its very usage, and describing a way of life I sincerely admire .. I am happy.

     There are times when I sit down to my keyboard and have absolutely no idea what is going to present itself via the momentary muse. I knew writing was on the agenda today, but had no idea what the subject matter would be .. until I received a message from France which began with the salutation "Coucou, Bill". The synapse junctions began to fire, the lights came on, and a new realization of why I love my two chosen places on our planet came clearly into focus.

     Vive la difference!   If "Aloha" is the word of reverence .. "Coucou" must surely be the definitive word indicative of our shared human experience. Coucou creates such a palpable feeling I have trouble thinking of it as a word and view it more as a pleasant experience which occurs when someone extends its beauty like a soft caress across the room.  As  "Aloha" typifies Hawaii .. "Coucou" personifies France and Her wonderful people. Such a word! .. polite, playful, respectful, endearing, sultry, passionate, sensual, uplifting, joyous, familial, simultaneously nouveau et traditional .. any nuance of true endearment the user wishes to convey.   This is a creative word, borne in the most creative society on earth. This is a word which aptly describes and displays the intelligence behind its usage and the passion for which it is used.  Coucou is simply a happy word .. to be the recipient of its use is to be lifted up on the wings of a smile. When I hear it, or read it, or fondly remember the last time someone "anointed" me with it .. I automatically smile and instantly know why France is firmly ingrained within my consciousness.    "Coucou" leaves one basking in the feeling of a child whose parent has just praised them .. it is powerfully familiar and loving.

      Two incredible words from my two favourite places.  Two amazing verbal entities, so different in their origin, yet similar in their spirit.   Two words created by our species in order to convey our exemplary selves. We want to express our goodness .. it is our true nature.   We are lifted up by our own devices.  Even though they were half a world away from one another, those people of long ago strived to find verbal expression of their inner beauty .. remarkable ...

     Comparing the two words would be futile and unfair,  they are unique to their cultures,  but "Coucou" & "Aloha" both facilitate love, giving, empathy, compassion, joy, and a verbalized guideline for peace and harmony ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

Coucou et Aloha,
Bill

Looking Back - Click Here or on the link below for a blast from the past!
http://kauai-to-paris.com/2/post/2011/05/out-the-kitchen-window.html

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