Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
I watched her drive off and continued up the road past a few more little shops. I saw the
bank and the post office with a large U.S. flag at the entrance, hanging motionless in the
calm. I had written a couple of letters and now went into the post office to send them off:
one to Gavin care of Keehi Marine, one to Judi and Dylan, and one to my parents in South
Africa. “Ho, this one you like go to South Africa?” asked the little, old, Filipino lady be-
hind the battered, wooden counter, holding up the letter.
“Yes please, that's where I am from.”
“Ho, so far away bra, why you here?” she asked nicely.
“I am sailing around the world and am visiting your lovely island here in Hawaii,” I said
proudly.
“By yourself?” she continued.
“Yes, for now, but sometimes I have my brother helping or someone else.”
“You no get scared out dere bra, dat's one big ocean out dere?” she asked, pushing her
glasses further up her nose. There were no other customers in the office, and I thought this
had to be a first for me, having such a chat about things other than the post.
“I would really like to live here for a while and hope to find some work though I have no
idea where I can start looking.”
“Well, I think you better go talk to Mike at the gas station over dere,” she pointed. “He
family wit da big charter boats coming from Maui every day, maybe he gonna help you
bra.”
The conversation ended as a policeman in uniform came in, and the friendly clerk thumped
a rubber stamp on my letters. I was paying her when the policeman asked, “Hey brudder,
you da guy that just came in on a boat?”
“Yes, is there anything wrong?” I asked cautiously.
“We get a telegram from your brudda. I was just going to give to Doris here,” said the large,
kindly local, fishing about in a satchel. He was perspiring. He handed me a brown manila
envelope that was addressed to me, care of the Lanai Police Department.
Now, I was worried and tore it open. It was from Gavin; he stated plainly, “Received news
from the folks that Sheila has had a very bad fall off her horse and has been unconscious
for over ten days. She may not make it. Will keep you posted.”
“Oh Christ, my sister has had a very bad horse accident at home,” I repeated to the two
officials, who were trying not to be curious.
