Tra La it’s May and my calendar reminds me I go to Hawaii in 2 week’s time.
I will attend a medical conference lasting 3-4 days. I will be in Honolulu. Someone is not going. I haven’t traveled alone in nearly 15 years. I confess I feel odd to do so. Someone always does our travel plans (he is very good at this). For once I have to get to the airport, find the hotel, and feed myself without him holding my hand. A part of me feels like a scared 6 year old – how the heck am I supposed to get around and not get lost? I suppose if other 50 year old men can do this, so can I.
At this point the trip doesn’t feel exciting as it is not a holiday. Most of the time I will be in a lecture hall. If I wanted, I could be ‘in class’ from 7AM-8PM every day. My hummingbird brain won’t allow me to sit still for that long, so I must think of other things to do.
One of the advantages of traveling sans Someone is I don’t have to do or plan anything. Usually our trips are well planned long before arrival; we find what there is to see and do and schedule accordingly. This time I will “make it up as I go along.”
My tentative plans are minimal. I will contact a nephew who attends the University of Honolulu and see if he will go out to dinner. We can either eat swanky (my treat) or go to a local eatery on campus where I will can see the campus and feel 100 years old.
I also want to check out the local fabric shops.
Other than getting some medical credits and 3 yards of something fabulous, I have no further expectations.
I suppose this makes it an adventure.
17 comments
May 2, 2011 at 8:37 PM
Jay
I am so excited to share this vicariously with you (Not the meetings) I hope you can blog and take some pictures. If not you can tell us about it when you get back. And you will do fine. They will take good care of you.
May 2, 2011 at 9:15 PM
Bill J
I’m sure that if you asked nicely, Someone could put together an itinerary of things for you to do and see. Although part of the adventure right now might be for you to send photos back to him so that you have to describe and he can see what you come up with when left to your own devices. Sharing the adventure and your perceptions and observations is one of life’s intimacies — whether you both go on the same trip or not. I am of the school that thinks that spaces in your togetherness are sometimes good — esceially when you share the experince when you are back together.
Enjoy the preparation, anticipation and journey.
May 3, 2011 at 2:21 AM
Will
If you have an interest in seeing the art and a record of the history of the area, let me recommend the big Bishop museum that has an incredible collection of the arts of Polynesia and Oceania. Wonderful things, and very much worth a morning or afternoon away from the conference.
last time I was in Honolulu it was with Fritz and we happened upon the annual Ukulele Festival. Ukulele bands from everywhere played in a band shell in Waikiki by the beach. The undisputed highlight was hearing Aram Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance plucked out on fifty ukuleles by a seemingly possessed virtuoso high school group.
May 3, 2011 at 4:20 AM
Tiger Chanter
Enjoy your adventure! (Someone and I would get along very well, as I like to plan a schedule too!)
May 3, 2011 at 4:23 AM
Mark
Just don’t forget to get “leid”.
Your Friend, m.
May 3, 2011 at 5:21 AM
Cubby
You’re going to be in Hawaii on my birthday. Bring me back something cool, okay?
May 3, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Raybob
Have fun! Blog! Bring back pictures 🙂
May 3, 2011 at 4:04 PM
anne marie in philly
imagine the fabu fabrics you will find in the land of hawaiian shirts!
May 3, 2011 at 6:45 PM
James
Cool, adventure! 🙂
Take lots of pictures!
May 3, 2011 at 7:12 PM
Jim
I think you need a local tour guide. Or will you be left to your own devices? Will you have to rely on the kindness of strangers?
May 3, 2011 at 8:25 PM
jason
Well, aloha!!!!
Is that bon voyage in hawaiian? It ought to be.
I’m envious….a bit. Ok, a lot 🙂
May 4, 2011 at 3:45 PM
the cajun
When I was young it was my backpack, travelers checks, addresses of hostels and I was off for adventures.
Then 30 years in a marriage with all planning and itinerary handled by the spouse, I became lazy, co-dependent, or whatever…today I am just getting over the fear of doing it on my own again.
Silly, I know. When I get the chance in the Fall, I am so out of here. I need a break and if I’m alone, then it is what it is.
Enjoy the adventure and know that you have Someone waiting at home when it’s over.
May 4, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Ron
Have a wonderful trip Dr Spo! We’re 2/3 rds through our Swing Through the South Trip now. I’m the planner and I’m “Making it up as I go along” and it is working out just fine!! Looking forward to seeing you “leid”
May 5, 2011 at 7:25 AM
Peter
Just explore and enjoy your stay, get ‘leid’ and see what’s under those banana leaf skirts. [Or is that only in Scotland under the kilts?] 😉
May 6, 2011 at 9:06 AM
Aunt Barb
I love your “hummingbird” brain as I have one too…I have 3 days of attending and paying attention at a PEO convention the first weekend in June. Handwork helps me!
May 10, 2011 at 6:27 AM
Rick/CJ
I’m anxious to see the fabric and tan lines!
June 22, 2011 at 2:08 AM
eric
hi, are you in hawaii right now? i want to move there in december to get a job. i live in wisconsin. any advice you can give me i would appreciate. is there any crime or any really safe cities? is there good food? eengesse@uwsuper.edu