Day 22

Day 22  Walk Barefoot in the Sand

Sunday March 20 2011

This morning as I took my dogs for a walk, we went the route of going to the beach.  This is generally reserved for the weekends, when I have more time to wear them out.  As usual we walked past the lagoon, but turned towards the ocean.  My dog wanted to go straight into the ocean.  This was not going to happen since we just bathed them the day before.  But we could walk in the water and sand.  I took off my shoes and really tried to focus on feeling the sand.  The coolness and roughness of it.  Waikiki allegedly had to have sand imported to it.  Every weekend morning between anytime between 500 am to 800 am, a hotel worker sits in a truck and ploughs the sand to flatten it out, so we an all have this experience.   Everyday in Waikiki is busy, tourists coming from everywhere to paradise.  Why not keep it idealistic?   I can only speak towards the western end of the beach, I do not know if this happens throughout the strip.  This specific hotel wants to ensure their land appears smooth, clean, inviting, and paradise laden. 

As we walk, I see tourist parents playing catch with their young children at 700 am.  They do not want to miss one piece of their vacation day.  Even though it appeared cloudy, and somewhat drizzled, the air was most likely warmer than their hometown. 

Both of my dogs enjoy their weekend strolls maybe too much, as my bulldog Puzo puts the brakes on his paws and lays in the sand.  I briefly do this to.  We leisurely walk back home, as hit intermittently puts on the breaks every several minutes, not wanting this time to end.

I admit although the beach is close to my house, it is sometimes only on these walks that I get to put my feet in the sand.  As my work stressors build from Monday toward Friday, I can close my eyes and remember this walk, the sand in my feet.

As tourists, when we travel anywhere remotely close to a beach.  Walk barefoot in the sand.  Sunrise, high noon, sunset, or maybe even under the moonlight.  Swimming is not always necessary or capturing it with a photography.  We remind our selves to be present, simply in the act of walking, taking it all in…the sounds of the ocean, sun or moon, smell, coolness of your feet, and freedom from not wearing shoes or sandals.