My first computer venture since I've been here. I absolutely love this life. The long journey here had dumped me in the middle of a homesick mind, and I was merely 28 hours into my journey. The car ride to the farm was a blur, interrupted by a few pleasantries: rombutan and the ocean. Fred decided to stop at Richardson's beach on the way out of Hilo as we had some time before the farm. On the way we stopped at the farmer's market which graced us with fruits I could barely identify. That fact excited me and I imagined myself learning all the names to what was in front of me, knowing how to prepare them for eating, tasting them for the first time. Rombutan looks like an overgrown raspberry, housing an eyeball-like gelatinous meaty center. It's quite delightful after the bustle of airport food, but mom's carmel bars were a lifesaver. I shared them with Nico at the farm on my second day here and he used them as keen evidence that we were going to be friends. Thanks mom. We're friends for more than the carmel bars thankfully, because the last of my supply was given to Nico. If there are two things that are scant here it's desserts and meat. I'm never hungry or feeling malnourished, but it's a real mind play to convince my heart that I don't need a big slice of chocolate cake. (incidentally today I bought a piece at the co-op to share with my tongue and a friend later)

Since those first few moments of tired, homesick, questioning sessions: should I be here? What am I really doing? Am I going to last here? I've been completely convinced my questions were without merit. I am completely content and in the words of my friend Jeff, it takes a lot to make me content. I am surrounded by beautiful people, beautiful land, beautiful food, and am realizing I do not need much more. The first few days I struggled with always getting lost in the 4 hours that separate my worlds. I wondered what had happened 4 hours ahead, in my world I left behind. I wondered how everyone was making it without me? I wondered how I would make it without them? Realizing night had already fallen by the time I ate dinner here felt heavy on my heart. So many things could happen in a day and by the time I would have time to address it, it would be too late; closed in the capsule of the day, pending perhaps, for tomorrow. This is an exercise of letting go, and not until yesterday did it feel comfortable: day 3.

Friday, yesterday, I went off the farm for the first time since arriving Wednesday. After a long day of our first work party on the land (clearing coleus from the pineapple patch and planting trees) we went to a gathering near by at a place called "the Garden Temple." A short walk up a rocky path and we were dropped in the middle of the jungle at a dance: techno, the best beat boxing I've ever heard, and a menagerie of other dance music. The fairy floor (one might call it the dance floor) was filled with barefoot strangers who would've liked nothing more than to invite you to dance among them; we're all friends in Puna. The dancing was followed by a firethrower show, complete with the heavy man dressed in women's panties and bra, angel wings atop his shoulder blades twirling fire-bathed nun chucks. It was just like the many house parties I've been to in Minnesota, only we were in the jungle amidst Puna-ticks (they've self-inscribed that name) and with fire-throwers instead of bonfires. A perfect end to a week.

Today I was lucky enough once more to have new experience. Just when I think each day couldn't get any better here, it does. A few of us went to a beach nearby called Kahena. Kahena is mostly filled with locals and at the end of a short hike down about 150 feet natural lava rock stairway. Oh, and dare I forget, it's clothing optional, or nude. I had to oblige and it was quite nice. I sat in the surf for a bit, cutting my leg a bit in the rocks beneath me, and it was quite enjoyable. Black sand beach means beautifully hot. It''s nearly unbearable to walk at peak sunshine but between the lava rock paths and other barefoot adventures, my summer calluses will reappear. At Kahena, we made new friends, shared our coconut harvest with them, even opened them with Nathan's machete. We saw friends from the dance, and made plans to meet them again at other gatherings soon. It's so very easy to make friends, to entertain oneself here, it's quite remarkable actually. Everyone is welcoming and happy. We'll visit the ocean again tomorrow, a few different people from the farm will join us, and it will be exquisite once more.

I'm having a few moments lately of feeling really lucky to have made new friends so easily, to be accepted for who I am, without question, without expectations. I guess there are very little conditions here, only that you listen, welcome everyone openly at first. Everyone seems to love each other without needing to be loved back. Luckily, it's easy to love back anyway. My new friend Nico says everything is temporary and I am begging myself to remember that at times, but mostly just enjoying this moment. I've lost my struggle with those 4 hours and it feels really nice to be present and be here. I am much more calm here than I've ever been. Welcome to the island Emily.