02-28-2008, 07:28 AM
It seems to me that many people took Anagami's post entirely too personally. And negatively.
Aren't we all entitled to our opinion? Maybe s/he is a person who is very sensitive to these things s/he witnessed here and it was just too much. I think everyone has a right to speak their truth.
I, for one, see a tremendous amount of truth in this frank and honest post. I have spent a lot of time on Maui, teaching in the schools, and there is a not so lovely underbelly to what I truly consider to be my favorite place on earth. At times the juxtaposition of 'good' and 'evil' was almost too much for me. Rats, cockroaches, centipedes in bed and the poverty of many locals all conspired to make me stretch my consciousness of what Hawaii was for me. It definitely is not the perfect paradise of vacations, especially when I factor in the personal obstacles and challenges that Mother Maui threw me on a daily basis some years. And just try to make enough money to live there!
Everyone's experience is different. Many are able to insulate themselves from these harsh truths of life. I know that, in Mexico, that is what the Americans do. I couldn't take it because I wasn't insulated from the poverty, dirt and horror of suffering animals--the 'real' Mexico.
I think we should be allowed to tell our truth or vent without being vilified for it. There was no venom in this post. And it may help someone weigh the pros and cons of a move to BI.
Certainly it is true that every place has its less desirable aspects. Mendocino, where I spend most of my time and which I love deeply, is covered in poison oak and I have personally suffered mightily because of it over the years. There is also a huge amount of drug-taking and alcoholism. And mice overrun my cabin every winter and eat my clothes and ruin my pantry. But I love the redwoods and nature there speaks to my soul.
Let's lighten up, shall we? We can have our Puna Love Fest without forcing everyone to join in.
april
Aren't we all entitled to our opinion? Maybe s/he is a person who is very sensitive to these things s/he witnessed here and it was just too much. I think everyone has a right to speak their truth.
I, for one, see a tremendous amount of truth in this frank and honest post. I have spent a lot of time on Maui, teaching in the schools, and there is a not so lovely underbelly to what I truly consider to be my favorite place on earth. At times the juxtaposition of 'good' and 'evil' was almost too much for me. Rats, cockroaches, centipedes in bed and the poverty of many locals all conspired to make me stretch my consciousness of what Hawaii was for me. It definitely is not the perfect paradise of vacations, especially when I factor in the personal obstacles and challenges that Mother Maui threw me on a daily basis some years. And just try to make enough money to live there!
Everyone's experience is different. Many are able to insulate themselves from these harsh truths of life. I know that, in Mexico, that is what the Americans do. I couldn't take it because I wasn't insulated from the poverty, dirt and horror of suffering animals--the 'real' Mexico.
I think we should be allowed to tell our truth or vent without being vilified for it. There was no venom in this post. And it may help someone weigh the pros and cons of a move to BI.
Certainly it is true that every place has its less desirable aspects. Mendocino, where I spend most of my time and which I love deeply, is covered in poison oak and I have personally suffered mightily because of it over the years. There is also a huge amount of drug-taking and alcoholism. And mice overrun my cabin every winter and eat my clothes and ruin my pantry. But I love the redwoods and nature there speaks to my soul.
Let's lighten up, shall we? We can have our Puna Love Fest without forcing everyone to join in.
april
april