The Hawaii Block, and How It Was Lifted
A trip to Hawaii has always seemed “blocked” to me: too pretty, too exotic, too far… too whatever. I never thought I’d get there.
Do you have blocks like that? Those things you feel you can’t have even though they’re technically within the realm of possibility and do-ability? I’m beginning to suspect that most of us do. Other blocks for me that I’ve gotten over have been living in New York and owning a well-fitting bra, both of which I TOTALLY do now, no big deal. Funny, right? A lot of people have one about finding love; I do it with lingerie and the 50th state.
So that’s why I put it out there at Mighty Camp that I wanted to go to Hawaii in 2012, because it’s a block for me, and a DUMB one, too; you know how to be the kind of person that goes to Hawaii, right? You buy a plane ticket to Hawaii.
Still, out of the five things from our Life Lists we were invited to share, it was my “reach”, because of how expensive it is to get there. A place to stay was taken care of, so I figured it would be a matter of putting bits of money aside here and there until the dollars added up for plane fare.
However.
Daffodil Campbell – the very lady who offered her guest cottage in Maui to my then-pipe dream – tipped me off to fares on Hawaiian Air for $212.
Excuse me what?
My silly fears of going to Hawaii flipped themselves into fear at loosing that price, and I fell ALL OVER myself getting a ticket.
So, goodbye, Hawaii block! You will not be missed. And Alhoa Maui! I’ll see you in June.
P.S. For a small fee the airline gives the option of having a greeter meet you off the plane and put a lei around your neck. I was about to click past it, but… oh gosh, I’m crying writing this!… I remembered being young and thinking that was so cool, and a voice in my head, an echo of my younger self go, sighed “Oh please?”
I just couldn’t pass it up. It’s cheesy, yes, but WHATEVER.
I’m totally making “getting leid” jokes, too.
Cindy
22 Nov 11 at 10:06 am
It took our third trip to Hawaii (my dad worked for American Airlines) to convince my dad to let us do a Luau. Do it; they’re the most fun.
Number three on my list was my block. Moving to another state was something we always talked about and it started feel like that was all it was ever going to be. That life list…well, it really opens you up to some crazy possibilities.
Kizz
22 Nov 11 at 11:18 am
I almost hyperventilated reading this because I thought you DID click past the lei option and what if there was NO WAY TO CLICK ONTO IT EVER AGAIN! I would pay the fee, you should have called me WHY DID YOU CLICK PAST IT!!!!!!!
But you didn’t. So it’s cool. You’re getting lei’d!
Annie
22 Nov 11 at 11:55 am
Amber that is totally amazing–especially the part about the lei. You are going to have a fabulous time drinking tiki cocktails and sitting on those pretty beaches. I hope you take lots of pictures and share them so we can all share in the excitement of you crossing this fun thing off your list.
Sooo many photos, I promise!
Judy Pearce
22 Nov 11 at 12:25 pm
You know what’s funny? My “blocked” place? New York. I’ve always wanted to go, but it’s always seemed so out of reach. “Country bumpkin in the big city”, you know?
I know a couch you can stay on!
Leslie
22 Nov 11 at 12:41 pm
This is awesome. I’m so glad to hear that you are going all out and embracing the cliches or whatever. Sometimes all we have to do to have fun, is have fun. You know? I know you know. I’m super excited for you!
Daffodil Campbell
22 Nov 11 at 12:45 pm
A luau is in your future
See you at the airport!
Meg
22 Nov 11 at 6:12 pm
I kind of want to… come?
emily | nomnivorous
22 Nov 11 at 6:46 pm
This is so wonderful. I feel you on that kind of blocked thing. Hawaii feels that way, as does a lot of traveling. I have a long list of places I want to go to, but life [and my head] gets in the way of getting to those places.
Jen Kley
22 Nov 11 at 9:53 pm
I really, really, really love this post. It just resonates w/ following through on DREAMS, as opposed to GOALS. Like you said here so simply…To go to Hawaii isn’t such a big deal; you buy a plane ticket! Loves it. And thank you.
You’re welcome! And yes! I have goals, but dreams are what make life delicious.
Cheney
28 Nov 11 at 12:17 pm
Heh. You’re getting lei’d
That is awesome and inspiring for other life listers.
Kara
30 Nov 11 at 9:49 am
When you are on Maui, you should go to the top of Haleakala to see the sun rise. Seriously, it is amazing. Totally worth getting up at 3am so that you can be at the top of the mountain by 5am. And while you are up there, you should wave toward the Big Island. Depending on your travel dates, that is where I will be.