Saturday, February 01, 2014
St. Jude's
I just learned that there is another phenomenon here - something called Halemaumau, which is another volcano that blows huge amounts of debris into the atmosphere, producing something they call VOG. (Volcanic fog) Some people have to leave hawai'i altogether, because it really affects people with asthma. So, a little trouble in paradise - or just the contribution of Vulcan to the whole scene!
So far, though, it seems to be clear and beautiful. The stars are amazing. My lanai (porch) looks straight at France (Tahiti only a few thousand miles away!).
It turns out that this is the poorest county in the whole US. That's because the USA deported the Marshall islanders here when we decided to vaporize their home to test the H-bomb! We settled them here, to work on the sugar-cane plantations. those who could learn English left. the others lost their jobs when the cane fields closed due to global competition. Now there are lots of people living outdoors, with no water, except what falls from the sky.
In the United States of America.
The little parish here does what it can, including free showers for all comers on Saturdays. They do a lot more, in the way of food programs and recovery groups for alcoholics and other addicts.. there is plenty of that, because the people are so oppressed. The parish seems to be pretty progressive - the Senior Warden (chief layman) is gay.
i think I am going to like it here.
