We planned to undertake a difficult but spectacular hike today. When we got close to the range, we both gulped. That’s a monster, we thought. We parked and walked the mile to the trailhead, positioned in a country club. We should have brought golf clubs—much less intimidating. However, the guard refused us entry as the club had decided, after three days of rain, that the climb would be too dangerous. We were extremely disappointed; we hope to return, perhaps next week. We have never seen a mountain like that before—the peak rises to a point.
Back to the car and plan “B”. We set-off for a hike on the west side of the city, which was most enjoyable. We climbed straight-up. Switchbacks are not something that appeals to the Hawaiian mind, it seems. As we mentioned before, we find the hikes and climbs to be very challenging, to say the least. At the top, by which time we were sweaty, dirty and covered with a leech type plant, we spent ten minutes trying to pick off these green leaves. The result: Our editor discarded her pants—when we returned to our ‘house’. What were you thinking?
After Shavuot, we walked from our hotel to Diamond Head Crater, a beautiful place. The hike was a little less than two miles but the walk to and from was another six. Talk about balance. There was plenty of time to ponder about our experience at Surf City Chabad. We mentioned efore that the dress is casual. We had something in common with Rabbi Krasnjansky—we were the only two who wore ties, not only in shul but in Oahu, too. It’s nice to know we have one rabbinical attribute.
‘We are having a celebrity in shul this Shabbos’, the Rebbetzin announced. We smiled. Of course, it had to be us. Why? By that stage, we had already received four aliyot. To play along, we acted very cool and suave. ‘Who is it?’, we wanted to know. “Matis-the-yahoo,” it sounded like to us. Turns out his name is Matisyahu, the singer. Unfortunately, he arrived only for lunch and when we sang Shabbos songs, he slept. Apparently, he is not the first person to have difficulty with our repertoire. He was in town for a concert. We are pleased that he was well rested for the night.
The Rabbi is a modest and learned man with a wife who is a ‘ball of fire’. The shul has moved since we were last there. Previously, it was in a hotel. The Rabbi purchased a theatre adjoining the hotel and is now in a process of renovating the building. Whilst there is much to do, progress is certainly being achieved. ‘The Merchant of Venice’ production was cancelled over Shavuot—a positive first step. ‘Much ado about nothing’, we surmised.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
We always think of our father but today, on his birthday, we think even more. Last year, when we were at 4-miles falls in Colorado, the tears from the waterfall remembered his 90th birthday through our eyes, too.
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