The Shove

Hi everyone. New blog with catch all title which plan to use to write reactions to and reflections of a wide variety of events, travels,which have been a part of or read of or somehow been involved with. Am thinking that as this blog evolves it can capture all that want to share and will eliminate past practice of creating new blogs for specific topic matters. Such will also give my brain a break as will only need to think up new post titles.  First up - The Shove

While wandering around the streets near Ala Moana in early November, 2016 I noticed an obviously homeless man carrying a good size bag walking towards me.

He had unkempt hair and a good sized gray beard. I avoided eye contact as he approached while stepping to the street edge of the sidewalk. At the instant we shared the pavement -Bam! a sharp painful sensation was felt right above my heart just below the left shoulder. I almost fell down and for a moment did not know what happened. Then I turned around and saw the dude. He had continued walking on down the sidewalk away from me towards his destination with his left arm extended straight out in the air at a 45% angle exposing a closed fist. It hit me that he must of used such to shove or push me out of the way so was getting ready to shout out WTF but figured what in the world for. My chest continued to hurt and thought about calling 911 to make a report but again determined no sense. Was sure the police must know of this person. So instead I found a bench to collect my thoughts and look at the water. It indeed took a few minutes before my chest stopped hurting. 

I have lived in the islands most all my adult life, been here since early 1975 when was 25 and am now 67.

Have never been in a fight here and the verbal confrontations can count on less than one hand. Sure there were one or two times situations could have escalated - but they did not. In the heat of the moment a few strangers have called me, at times with justification, a moth..f...... haole or some such colorful verbage but no physical contact ever ensued. The closest came to violence was when driving visiting cousin Bob and his wife Kris near - yet again the very same Ala Moana - on a Sunday afternoon. I made a right turn on to Piikoi and next thing I knew the pick up driver making a left turn from the boulevard honked their horn. This led cousin Bob to giv em stink eye or maybe even he flipped them off, or maybe they were just mad. Whatever, the truck people were ticked off. Upon pulling up to the stop light to the center the driver opened his door while the passenger jumped out holding a metal bar between his hands. Bob was desperately trying to open his seat door to duke it out while the metal bar dude approached our front windshield. Kris who was hapai with her first remained calm but was for sure worried. Before our windows or worse could get smashed I stomped on the gas zooming thru the red light and hit the left turn on to Kapiolani-which being not that far from a police station meant that the truck did not follow us.

That's pretty much it until the shove incident that is. After sitting on the bench awhile it came to me that the homeless man was more than likely somewhat deranged. Upon further reflection determined that he may have in fact been somewhat threatened by my presence. Probably because at the time I could have looked like someone cockroaching on his territory. After all my hair or what is left of it is more or less a mess, and had not shaved since my summer backpack trip.

Plus as usual was wearing a good sized day pack on my back. His salute in the air probably was meant as a victory salute sort of like one athletes sometimes give and he may have been thinking that there is one bum won't come working my street.

I kinda wish that knew who that man is actually so could thank him. He did me a favor by reminding me that I really need to pay attention and stay aware of those nearby as well to be alert when out and about. Hawai`i is for the most part such a peaceful place. It is in many ways a lot like Iowa where grew up in that most all the people are good and mean no harm. Over the years it becomes easy to just not worry or think about the bad stuff that could happen. So that guy sort of woke me up and have been trying to pay more attention to different situations. The lesson earned would soon be put to good use.

A few days later on November 8, we headed off to Bangkok. Our fourth trip there together. My roommate from Greeley, Chaiyutha, married Betty's roommate from Taiwan and they introduced us to each other not long afterwards. I first went there in 1978 with other stops elsewhere in Asia including Taiwan where first met Betty and her class mates Karen and Peggy.

In 2007 we went to Elaine's older daughter Veena's wedding and were back in 2011 for Monta's. Another trip in 2015 explored the north and plans were made to return the next year for the west. We grabbed a good airfare for the November trip in early 2016. Unfortunately a few weeks later Chai passed on due to a brain aneurysm. We and classmates determined to meet later in the year as planned and that rather than travel around spend our time for the most part with Elaine.

Did lots of bargain hunting, foodie consumption, boat rides, and non soapy legit massages. Was fun.

I also went out early most mornings to for a run. As the temps were hitting 35C ( 95F) with per accuweather real feel of 104-was way better to workout before the sun. Found several good soi's without too much crazy traffic and three parks with decent paths-Benjasiri, Benjakiti, Lumpini - all within .5 to 5.5K of our hotel, where got in runs ranging from 65 minutes to two hours. There were some incidents where the lesson paid off big time when out early as well as of course every time near traffic. Left side there and is easy to get surprised by turning vehicles if unalert.

First visit to Benjakiti it was long before sunrise and could hardly see its' 1.8K jogging path.

Found it though and after a bit turned a corner and saw some lights coming towards full speed, jumped off the path barely in time to avoid getting run over. Then got to a spot where could survey the park and noticed a concrete path closer to the lake with some people walking on it. So jogged on that instead of the bike path. Later a google search showed that this park is one of the few places in town where people can ride their bikes fast and that it is for cyclists only. Lucky that jumped off as those riders were not going to stop. As got dawn noticed several signs indicating which paths to walk or cycle on as well as those warning to watch out for water monitors.

Another day while out among the soi's (side streets sort of like wide alleyways) I noticed a young woman across the intersection. When the walk signal came on she started to move towards my side and I went to the other. She then tracked to where had moved to make sure that could not avoid. Upon approach she held out both arms, smiled and indicated she wanted a hug or something. As I was paying attention I saw that she had on a very short skirt and heavy makeup, and deduced she was working early or late as the case may be. I shook my head back and forth vigorously before she could get a hold and thus made it across the street uncompromised.

Lumpuni park, one of the largest in the city center 5.5K away saved to go to on my last Thailand run.

Left extra early. In the lobby of our small boutique hotel near the restroom saw something moving out of the corner of my eye and a full glance revealed the largest, darkest rat have ever encountered. Informed night manager, Nan, whom did not seem surprised. On the way to the park saw another large rat scampering across the sidewalk. Am guessing they come out from the frequent gaps in the sidewalk which expose what -  the sewer maybe? Anyhow this morning was my big test to see if could get to that park and back without getting lost. The to and from proved to be no problem. The park itself though being the size of Ala Moana's with numerous side paths is huge. After a few miles of exploring did not have a clue as to which entrance took. Remembered though a woman on the sideline encouraging runners whom had said 'hello, how are you" so went about finding her. When did so got my bearings and found the street that came in on. As neared the hotel decided that best get a little extra cash from an atm. Came upon a machine, put in the card got the money and so forth and when turned around there was a police officer with a gun on his hip and a baton in his hand right besides me. Unlike the gentleman in this picture he was not smiling.

He pointed at a nearby crutch leaning against a storefront trashcan and from expression could tell he thought was mine. Shook my head no. The next thing I knew he was patting my stomach. I was wearing a fitletic spandex belt which contained room key, debit card and of course now lots of baht. What flashed through my mind at that point was how one of our trips up north our van got stopped twice to pay squeeze to an officer. Instead of getting hit up however after showing him my belt was able to run on my way. 

So thanks to the homeless man for teaching me a lesson to stay alert. If had not could have gotten run over by speeding cyclists, lost some dignity to a pretty lady, or if had reacted wildly been beaten or worse by the police. 

And fond farewell to Thailand's beautiful sights, and wonderful people. 

Alright that is it for this post. Mele Kalikimaka to all of you and best of luck for 2017!