Ocean Vistas and Palm Tree Vignettes

The stones smoldered underneath my tiny feet, just reaching my brink of tolerance before cold waves overpowered the heat. Just as fast, the aqua green water dried up underneath me, starting the cycle anew. 

I continued to walk along the small stone wall, a wall that stood out in this paradise. It separated the calming ocean from the dreamy palm trees- the latter of which lofted away, basking in the sun just as the many tourists that came to see the calming ocean. Curious to see why a wall would be needed, hiding the wonderful view, I had climbed atop and wandered forth. My dad stood beside me, making sure I didn’t fall- to my three year old self the two feet drop into the shallow water below frightened me- I hadn’t learned to swim yet. 

Soon, I heard a great rumbling noise. I broke my sight from the stones and looked forward. There was a giant tube, poking out from the wall, partially underground, spouting water with a sickening shade of brown. It vaguely looked like a water slide. I asked my dad if I could ride in it, and he swiftly put me down. He said that the tube connected to bathrooms, spewing out waste into the ocean. He said it was a shame the great Pacific was treated as a waste bin. Still, I held onto my yearning to ride in it. I thought maybe when I get back home, I could flush myself down the toilet. It sounded fun.

Welcome to Whispers of the Past. This is my first blog in a series that I intend to do, recording and codifying my family’s past. In addition, I intend to record events in multiple perspectives, to keep every story alive. In 2008, my parents moved to Hawaii from Korea, as my dad came to earn his Master’s. I only lived there for about 3 years, before moving again, and this is the only clear memory I have. Please stay tuned for more!