Stupid Tourists

First off, let me say I don't think all tourist are idiots. In fact most aren't. They just ask hilarious questions. But I thought you may enjoy some of these remarks I've either heard personally or been told by others. They are pretty hilarious. Some may not make much sense unless you live or have visited here. And if you don't get the jokes... you may want to brush up on your geography. Just sayin'.

1. (Referring to the off shore island of Kaho'olawe) Oh my gosh, is that Tokyo?

Oh yeah, totally. And see the land over there? That's California. No, really. And those lights are San Francisco.



"(joking)On the left side of the island is the Atlantic Ocean, and the right is the Pacific." Tourist: "That's so cool!"

Mmm hmm. And directly north is the Artic.


Is there water on the other side of that island?

...No


How did you drive here???

They have these totally awesome cars that turn into boats now.


Which way is the ocean?

Do you have any idea of what an island is?


"Yeah we hike in Hawaii a lot." Tourist: "There are mountains in Hawaii?"

No, only huge hills 10,000 feet tall.


Did you have to learn Hawaiian when you moved over? (Heard this one a lot)

I think it's time you brushed up on what the 50 English speaking states are....



So yeah. Tourists... gotta love them. I'm leaving here in a week to go back to Indiana. =]

Hmm

See, I didn't completely abandon my blog! Even though it's been... 1, 2... a lot of months since I wrote on it, but I have not forgotten about it.

So while you guys are drowning back there in Indiana/Kentucky, we have had months and months of pure sunshine and warm weather here. But don't get too jealous yet. Months of sunshine also means months of drought and we rely heavily on rain from up in the mountain. Which doesn't sound like a big deal, but only select things get watered and the rest is a dusty mess. Dust+trade winds equals a very dirty room. I wipe it down with lysol and Windex but 15 minutes later you can create drawings in the layer of dust. But of course, only my room is affected. Haha.

School is pretty much the same. We have been going out more and doing hands on activities. We did observations on whales (too fun), what sand is made of, and sand erosion. And we are starting on tidal currents as well. So it's safe to say we spend more time outside than in when it comes to science class, which I am thankful for.

And Shannon is doing wonderfully! She is such a sweetheart and I rode her for about 2 hours a couple days ago. After over 5 hours at the stable I was extremely sore. It didn't help that we did community service the next day at school pulling invasive species out of the endangered ones. Just a friendly tip... gloves can be your best friend when pulling weeds. As can long pants and closed toe shoes. Darn fire ants.

Send all your love over to Japan, by the way. It happened a few weeks ago, but the people over there are still very much affected by it. Hawaii is fine - no deaths from the 'huge' tsunami even though a few buildings got damaged and people are out of work.

I will submit a new blog entry soon! Please comment if you read this so I know that people do still read this. I'm bookmarking it now so I'll visit it more often.

Lindsey

Visit

Planning on visiting Indiana in October for a month :)

A whale of a winter (lame pun intended)

Whales. So what do we know about them? They're big. They live in the ocean. They breach. And they are like dolphins on steroids. Lots of steroids.

But seriously, what about whales? Well, the humpback whale travels to Maui each year around November or December to give birth in Maui Nui. Maui Nui is basically a sunken island, and that means the sea floor is shallower than it is in other islands. When they are here, the females give birth, the babies are born and grow, and the males sing their hearts out.

But enough about boring facts.

I have been on a few whale watches and one 'official' one. (It was with my school - we took data and everything.) There are few lookouts on the island, but really you can park yourself on any stretch of shoreline and look for them. Usually you don't see much of the whale. You'll probably see them spout out some water while they breathe. Sometimes you may see a tail or flipper.

But what is extremely cool is when we went swimming today, and while our head was underwater we heard one singing. Isn't that just amazing? It's a few squeaks and whistle sounding noises, but it's just so... neat. When we went back to shore, we saw the little whale swimming east. (Pictures below!)

I'll be going on at least 2 boat rides to see the whales. I'll post updates then.

Love

You know, the longer I've been here, I notice what is and isn't different about Hawaii and Indiana/Kentucky. Some things are good (beautiful scenery, good weather, more breaks off school) and the not-so-good things (seriously, where else does milk cost 5 bucks a gallon? And why are we paying more for food grown a mile away than what you pay on the mainland?) But the biggest difference is... love.

I mean, sure love isn't non existent on the mainland, but there is a big difference over here. I remember when I had Dakota, my first horse. Trying to get help and constructive criticism and people who really cared about my training/riding was impossible. They didn't want to help me - all they cared about was how good they were at training horses and how they compared up to me. (A 14 yr. old who had never had a horse before. Yeah, you guys were REALLY impressive) Here, people commend me on what I'm doing right with Shannon(my horse in training) and offer constructive feedback when I need it. And me and Shannon could never be happier! She's doing great and I am gaining more confidence. And the reason is love. These horse trainers weren't haughty and stuck up, even though they are probably the best horse trainers I have personally ever known.

And school... I don't know where to start! Even though it may be different in other schools, my school is so supportive. The teenagers don't make exclusive cliques and they don't judge other people. Sure, we have the very few who do, but that is expected anywhere you go and anything you do in life. I have made a few good school friends who are great - and I have known them for like what, a few months? I've had friends before in the past who would stab me in the back for the dumbest things. And I would be upset, but now I realize why? Why I should I be upset if someone is unkind to me? It's their problem - I've got people who are actually going to be there for me and if someone is going to be a jerk for a really dumb reason, then I don't need friends like that. Nobody does. Everyone deserves people worth their time.

Hawaii is by no means perfect, but in general it isn't every man for himself. People care about each other, the elderly, children, and people who would be disrespected on the mainland are actually treated like people here. And really, what could be better than that? It's definitely worth paying a couple dollars for milk.

November so far

So, November. Nothing overly interesting going on in Hawaii. I've been doing the usual. Riding Shannon, school (ugh), hiking, swimming, and reading. Dad replaced the carpet in my room. (It's wood now!!!!!!!) And I went shopping a couple times since I have way too many jeans, not enough shorts. Who would have thought shorts would be impossible to find here? I have found one pair in the million times I've gone shopping, but that just aint enough. Maybe I'll try Walmart. I like their stuff. Oh, and Macy's, charging 40 bucks for a pair of cheap shorts won't sell them. Just to let you know.

We went to PoliPoli Thursday. It is a state park with... what you ask? Cedar, redwoods, pine and other forestry trees. You would never know you were in Hawaii if someone just dropped you off her randomly. It's cool and usually foggy. Here's a site: (it says ten acres, but there are way more trees than that)

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/html/sites/polipoli_springs_state_recreational_area.html

I feel like I'm forgetting something this month. o.O

La Perouse Bay

'La Perouse Bay? Lindsey, you nitwit, that's French'

So true. Why on earth do we have a place in Hawaii with a French name? Does it look like France or something? Not quite. The area is an untouched field of lava and it is huge. The lava goes on forever and there is nothing along the way. If you go a little farther up, you can drive along it, but there isn't much to see. So what's so special about this place? It has three things going for it.

1.) Snorkeling, when it's not closed down, is amazing.

2.) Dolphins are very regular here.

3.) The a'a lava fields are pretty monotonous, but they are still amazing because of how diverse they are.

Also, a little bird told me that there is a trail to a secluded beach in the middle of these lava fields. We have never gone there, but I've seen pictures and hope I get to soon.

Makena Ranch is a great place to ride at sunset for anyone who wants to.

What else? Oh yeah, the reason this place has a French name is because of the French explorer who found the Hawaiian islands. Was he the first to discover them? No. Did he land here in this cove? I don't know, do a little research if you want to know.