Day 3: Beach Bumming

As I've already explained, and contrary to how we regularly travel, we didn't plan anything for Hawai'i. Today was our last full day on the island. We'd talked previously about how it would be good to get out of Waikiki for a bit and see another part of O'ahu, possibly by renting scooters and going around Diamond Head or something. But after breakfast at Oahu Mexican Grill (OMG) -- which was great, by the way -- it was clear that wasn't going to happen. So instead we decided to spend our time walking along the beach. Which we mostly did all day. And it was pretty great.

We walked south just past the zoo to the War Memorial Natatorium, a cool building with a rich history and, sadly, in great disrepair. And then we talked about the way city councils kick the can down the road about demolishing or fixing these things, and how the Natatorium in Moose Jaw will probably see the same fate in a few years, and how these are the kinds of high-impact cultural projects we'd love to tackle if we ever had the money to do it. (The Moose Jaw Natatorium has a special place in my heart, as my dad's mom, Barb, was instrumental in starting the city's swimming programs, and I spent a lot of time there as a little kid.)

After this, we walked over to take a look at the Waikiki Shell, an outdoor amphitheatre, and stumbled upon the cast and crew setup for Magnum PI. Overall, a very fulfilling, relaxing, and enjoyable afternoon. This is a life I could very easily get used to.

Back in the '80s, when the earth was still cooling, we used to make fun of the "beach bums" who didn't have jobs and would hang out at the beach and surf all day or whatever -- but why did we ever do that? That sounds awesome, now! These people were living their best lives and we were mocking them for not buying into the rat race? I think it's obvious who the real suckers are.

We had plans in the evening to go for supper with Randal and Kate, friends we know through post-secondary debate. Randal is a debate coach, and we talked about how he found himself moving to Hawai'i. The short answer: he applied for a job at a school that needed a debate coach. I'm sure a lot of people don't know you can make a living as a debate coach. But the world can be a wonderful place, and I love the idea that kids are learning the fine arts of research, rhetoric, and argumentation. As many of you know, I worked for a debate organization for a few years, and while it's an activity generally filled with high achievers, I also saw some kids change from uncaring slackers to students invested in their own education. It's a fine way to meet your future wife too, it turns out.

We also had a little talk about how life on the island moves at its own pace. Tamara and I had both noticed it already, and I really thought it was mostly my imagination. But no, things do move a little bit slower here. It's relaxing. And to be honest: while I wasn't super stoked about coming here in the first place, right now I'm finding it really hard to say goodbye. The place we're staying at, the location, the weather, and the overall atmosphere has been wonderful.

Not entirely sure I'm ready for the next leg of our journey, but who knows -- maybe there are more places to fall in love with.