ALOHA and MAHALO are the two most popular words used in Hawaii. Aloha is their way of saying Hello and Mahalo means "thanks". The locals have a unique way of waving their hand to greet you, with both thumb and little finger up.
What's the similarities between the Indian state Assam and Hawaii. The people living in both places are known to be easy going, with a laidback attitude towards living. Unlike the fast paced life of their Mainland counterparts, Hawaiian time travels in a slow pace.
Out of 187 Islands of Hawaii only 8 are inhabited, forming the most isolated human habitat in the world. The closest land at the shortest distance is California at 3000 miles away, with a long 5 plus hour of flight. It is America's 50th State, a fortunate late addition to its kitty - a military assett strategically placed, handsomely contributing to US economy in form of tourism. (Amongst the late additions are the state of Texas bought from Mexico which has large reserve of oil and Alaska, which the American press then called a sucked up Orange sold by Russia at a very nominal price. Now US sucks oil and money in form of tourism out of it)
Last night we saw a spectacular show called "Magic of Polynesia" showcasing the Polynesian culture of the Hawaiian Islands. The conductor of the show requested a volunteer to come on the stage. Came forward "Kenji San", a Japanese gentleman from the audience containing a good number of his compatriots.
When asked to enter a huge box on the podium, Kenji San offered to remove his shoes. But the instructor told him not to do so, mixing his words with gesture trying to convince our man from Japan struggling with English. Taking off shoes before entering a house or a place of sacrosanct is not just Indian, it's an Asian culture too.
In USA, some of my DESI (a term used in US for persons of Indian origin) friends have attempted to enter my house wearing their shoes, only to be politely reminded to keep the shoes outside. Once a Desi BHAI (Brother) who insisted on keeping his shoes on was soundly rebuffed by me - "Sorry, I make the rule of my house and don't like shoes used outside, inside my house". The message was well taken.
Met a couple of couples from the land Down Under (Australia) when we took a Submarine tour down under water late in the afternoon. Our brief tete a tete centered around cricket and weather before they bid Adieu to us with "Gid Daey Maite". The submarine sank us 100 feet below water, enabling us to catch the rare sight of marine life - fishes of all hue, color and sizes, turtles idling on corals, intermittently flapping wings. One seemed to wink at as it swam past the curious onlookers.
Pacific Ocean is big and boisterous, but deep down it is under high pressure. A la Robert Frost's woods, it's dark and deep - It's Mariana Trench near Philippines has miles to go underwater, about 31,000 feet deep. Imagine the pressure at the bottom of the deepest place on earth. Any speculation of the force of gravity needed to hold that water won't hold any water. Can't fathom the miracle of nature more. More later...
What's the similarities between the Indian state Assam and Hawaii. The people living in both places are known to be easy going, with a laidback attitude towards living. Unlike the fast paced life of their Mainland counterparts, Hawaiian time travels in a slow pace.
Out of 187 Islands of Hawaii only 8 are inhabited, forming the most isolated human habitat in the world. The closest land at the shortest distance is California at 3000 miles away, with a long 5 plus hour of flight. It is America's 50th State, a fortunate late addition to its kitty - a military assett strategically placed, handsomely contributing to US economy in form of tourism. (Amongst the late additions are the state of Texas bought from Mexico which has large reserve of oil and Alaska, which the American press then called a sucked up Orange sold by Russia at a very nominal price. Now US sucks oil and money in form of tourism out of it)
Last night we saw a spectacular show called "Magic of Polynesia" showcasing the Polynesian culture of the Hawaiian Islands. The conductor of the show requested a volunteer to come on the stage. Came forward "Kenji San", a Japanese gentleman from the audience containing a good number of his compatriots.
When asked to enter a huge box on the podium, Kenji San offered to remove his shoes. But the instructor told him not to do so, mixing his words with gesture trying to convince our man from Japan struggling with English. Taking off shoes before entering a house or a place of sacrosanct is not just Indian, it's an Asian culture too.
In USA, some of my DESI (a term used in US for persons of Indian origin) friends have attempted to enter my house wearing their shoes, only to be politely reminded to keep the shoes outside. Once a Desi BHAI (Brother) who insisted on keeping his shoes on was soundly rebuffed by me - "Sorry, I make the rule of my house and don't like shoes used outside, inside my house". The message was well taken.
Met a couple of couples from the land Down Under (Australia) when we took a Submarine tour down under water late in the afternoon. Our brief tete a tete centered around cricket and weather before they bid Adieu to us with "Gid Daey Maite". The submarine sank us 100 feet below water, enabling us to catch the rare sight of marine life - fishes of all hue, color and sizes, turtles idling on corals, intermittently flapping wings. One seemed to wink at as it swam past the curious onlookers.
Pacific Ocean is big and boisterous, but deep down it is under high pressure. A la Robert Frost's woods, it's dark and deep - It's Mariana Trench near Philippines has miles to go underwater, about 31,000 feet deep. Imagine the pressure at the bottom of the deepest place on earth. Any speculation of the force of gravity needed to hold that water won't hold any water. Can't fathom the miracle of nature more. More later...
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