So, to begin my blog I would like to talk about a handful of outcroppings found on the beginnings of the Wa'ahila ridge.
The Wa'ahila ridge actually begins on Dole Street, just past Manoa stream across the street from the student dorms.
The trail starts steep and rocky.
A handful of short switchbacks snake up the slope. Very short into the hike you'll see a large tree. This tree hangs over a rock. This is a popular place to climb up to and take in the view, or get out of the rain.
Further up and off the main trail, you'll see them. They are hard to see and the trail is not well defined.
This is where the trail branches off.
There are five rock-outcropping "cave" type formations on the ridge. Each one deeper than the other.
Some appear to have current residents who I have not met.
A good friend of mine called this particular cave his home for several months.
Disclaimer:
Prevailing notions have a frequent tendency to automatically assume financial paucity and, in the same breath, assign symptoms of mental instability to anyone that has refused the standard cultural sentiment that four walls and a roof constitute a domicile.
The dominant paradigm is that anything less and/or subordinate to the socially defined model of house is unsubstantial and inappropriate; while anything more than simply four walls, a door and some windows becomes a symbol luxury and happiness.
I propose that relativity reigns king when it comes to man's individual vision of his own palace. That to some choice, (and might I add incredible) individuals; their "mansion" has been a cave, tent, beach, or field and their own sense of luxury and happiness was found quite abundantly therein.
It is not insanity that encourages a nomadic lifestyle for some, but quite the opposite. I argue it is the greatest form of sanity, sanity dictated by self and not by society.
My good friend is neither mentally unstable, nor financially destitute. He just a man seeking his own happiness in his own way. For that he is to be admired.
Gorganzo Parku (whose name has been changed) came to Hawaii from Germany. He came here with the intention to work and study in paradise. Though his experience has been both exciting and upsetting, it is still one unregrettable.
I met Gorgonzo very soon after he had moved to Hawaii and shared in portions of his enterprise.
Here are my questions to him and his responses:
J. What were your first expectations of Hawaii?
G. Lots of watersports and a good time.
J. What made you decide a cave as opposed to an apartment?
G. I'm familiar with living outside, I've spent months living in a tent in Germany, even up to November, and generally led a free-floating life. So when I heard of rent prices in Honolulu, already during the planning process I thought about living outside, especially considering the mild climate. When I arrived I found out that my intended scholarship was not materializing the way I had expected, so I saw myself with basically no other choice.
J. What were your concerns with this decision?
G. The first concern was personal security. Before one knows a city for a while, it's generally hard to find a place outside where one can be sure of one's safety. The second would have been personal comfort, when it rains it is really hard to sleep outside, also, I had to consider the fact that I would be carrying around most of my valuables, so I had to ensure a setting that did not create too much day-to-day stress and saved my energy. In general, living outside can sap considerable power just for doing very basic things (see below).
J. What were the benefits?
G. A sense of freedom is the main benefit in my mind. I love being outside, it creates a very special atmosphere in me. Meeting other interesting people living outside was nice as well.
J. How did you adjust to the basics of society (work, school, social life)?
G. To be honest: not very well. Unlike the times before where I had gone to living outside with an intact social circle already in place, I came here without social ties and struggled with establishing them, partially but not entirely due to my living conditions. Getting my schoolwork done was a bit less of an issue.
J. How did you accomplish basic needs (eating, shower, etc)?
G. Most of them were provided by UH campus close by. I pretty soon found my niches that afforded for a rather comfortable lifestyle, when taking a few adaptions into account.
J. Did you have problems with rain, insects, cold, heat, etc?
G. At first I was astonished that it gets kind of chilly at night. I got bugged by insects more often than not, though mosquitoes were not much of an issue. I got centipede bites from time to time which was no fun. The rock of my cave protected me from rain in about 95% of cases, so there were a few nights when it poured so hard that I did get uncomfortably wet. Heat was not so much of an issue, as airconditioned buildings were nearby.
J. How did people react when you told them?
G. As diverse as people are. For a while I would treat my houseless-status as a bit of a stigma (it felt like that as I was partially driven to live outside by financial concerns), and got according reactions. But finally I got rather comfortable with it and most people (as far as I could tell) saw it as a suspicious yet bearable quirk.
J. Were you concerned with people taking your stuff?
G. Yes. Every day. I got a surfboard, an ukulele, several items of clothing and a bicycle stolen within the time of my residence under the rock. Worrying about theft is a bread-and-butter ingredient of life outside, at least in an urban environment.
J. Would you do it again?
G. Not exactly. Partially because it's boring to do things twice, partially because I know would know more to do it better, also I'm getting more comfort-oriented with my old age (but let's see how long the comfort-phase lasts). Specifically I am less interested in living outside in an urban environment again. There are numerous unpleasanties to watch out for. I could however imagine living in a boat or living outside for extended time while travelling.
Finally, my advice to anyone interested in this kind of life would be: Stay safe, find a protected place somewhere where there's lots of nature, off the beaten path. Be careful about the people you interact with. I happened to be lucky enough to run into some awesome neighbors early on, but later along the way I came to experience some more difficult characters. Every little thing generally requires more energy to accomplish. Maintain a possiblity to move back into more "civilized" living conditions in case you want or need to.
There, you have it. Spoken by a true gentleman. Since meeting, we have become great friends and I have grown to admire his free spirit. Gorgonzo plans to leave Hawaii very soon in search on new horizons. His future is untold save to say that I know he will continue to seek the life he feels suits him best.
How much would you pay for this view on your balcony?
Gorgonzo paid nothing. That is reason enough to give it a try.
