TSUNAMI AFTERMATH

After a good night's sleep and one good ear no longer ringing from the blaring of the tsunami warning horn, this old geezer is in a better position to give a telling of the events of yesterday morn.

One never knows how folks are going to re-act to having spent the night huddled together in the cold.  Some of the hostel guests tried to wile away the hours in hired vehicles and others were at the shelter.  There were a few brave souls who kept watch on the road, to be witness to the wall of water that might appear.

With a kettle full of hot water for tea and a lovely pot of fresh  brewed coffee, Scott and this old geezer, waited with bated breath to field the anger that might spew forth as guests returned.

Rather quickly, guests knew that it was safe to return and they climbed the stairs to resume their lives on holiday.  Some were due to check out and to a person, not a one asked if there was to be a refund for the loss of sleep.   Most were of the opinion that it was an adventure and it was good fortune that left one and all well and dry.  Guests staying on were more thrilled to find that hot beverages and a hot shower were waiting for them.  Taking the refreshing pause, they got quickly sorted out and headed out for aventure.

As always, there were some surprises...

One cheeky bugger had returned to the hostel before the 'all clear' and being ever so slim, was able to squeeze through the narrow opening provided by chain on gate and climb into bed.  Bit of a shocker to find a chap 'sawing logs' in a room that was meant to be empty.  When wakened, the cheeky bugger told that 'having paid $27.00 for a dorm bed, he bloody well was going to use it, tsunami or no.'  He did and at the appointed hour, his departure was requested.  Can you imagine?

Remember the fellow refugee in the 'motorhome'?  It seems that the thought of being swept away was too much to bear.  There has to be a medical word for 'fear of water', mind it seems odd that one would come to an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean if one were afraid of being swept away.  I digress...

No sooner was the chap back at hostel, then the luggage was packed and a taxi engaged to get to airport.  Seems that fingers were busy on mobile during the night and a ticket leaving Hilo to the eastern coast of the mainland was waiting.  Can you imagine how dear it must be to purchase a ticket at the last moment?

The events of Thursday/Friday were an Act of God.  This old geezer had no control over and while not wanting to depart so soon, if it was to be, there was not much that could have been done to prevent.  I am reminded of a line from a Broadway play much loved;  'Life is a banquet and most poor SOB's are starving...'

I had an adventure.  I also learned a wee bit more about human nature.  Truth be told, it got me closer to the folks I have the good fortune to have surrounded self with.  Life goes on...

To the many faithful readers who emailed this old geezer with concern for safety - 'I'd love to kiss ya, but I just washed me hair' - what little remains...