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The Drifter Journals

Days Go By - Visions of Hawai'i in Transit (Taoyuan, Taiwan & Manila, Philippines)

12/28/2012

30 Comments

 
Days Go By Visions of Hawaii While in Transit
It happened in Taoyuan International Airport at 10:28 pm, while walking towards the Departure Gate area. I was focused on making the 12:30 red-eye out to Manila on Cebu Pacific Airlines, when I suddenly looked up to see a familiar name. Honolulu. Capital city of my native land: Hawai'i.

A distant yet familiar memory of soft sun-rays, warm golden sand and pounding surf flashed through my busy 'Asian' mind and I found myself stopped in my tracks, staring up at that familiar name. Honolulu. I read the three Chinese characters transcribed next to it: 檀香山, Tán Xiāng Shān, literally translated, Sandalwood Incense Mountain. Honolulu.
Understanding this made it all the more surreal, even more of an erratic, unexplainable vision. The distant scent of Hawai'i clouded my mind, like sandalwood incense burning in a far away mountain valley. In that moment I found myself stuck between a juxtaposition of Far East vs. Ocean...Asian vs. Polynesian.

And in my mind, they all meant the same thing. Home.

It has been almost three years since I pulled my roots from the North Pacific sands of Hawai'i, and transplanted myself into the East Asian soil of Taiwan, and moments like this have been few and far between.  Nevertheless, there I was, for just a brief moment, contemplating the logistics of hopping off my flight flying south towards Manila and redirecting my path east to Honolulu instead. My flight to the Philippines left in two hours. The flight to Honolulu left in six. There was still time. Should I continue south to Manila? Or should I  go makai* to the Mountains of Sandalwood Incense?

After a split second of momentary disorientation, my mind cleared and the heavy scent of distant tropical tradewinds dissipated. 

There I found myself, standing in Taoyuan International Airport at 10:29 pm, listening to the whirring sound of the airport A/C, and looking up at a rolling 'flight departure' schedule that immediately switched from displaying Honolulu 04:28 to Hong Kong 05:05.

I shifted my backpack onto my right shoulder, plodded on, and made my way to the Departure Gate area, with more than enough time to catch the red-eye, south to Manila.
*A Hawaiian term meaning "towards the ocean"

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30 Comments
Eileen
12/27/2012 05:42:52 am

J.R. I loved this. I will look forward to this feature. Has it been three years since you have been home?

Reply
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
12/27/2012 06:00:01 am

Hi Eileen! (My guest blogger pal and personal friend...) Yes, it has been almost 3 years away. It's been quite a ride, and I've learned a lot and grown so much! But I will be visiting Hawaii sometime in April/May 2013!

Reply
Kalei
12/27/2012 02:57:48 pm

Awwww... you're making more anxious for April/May. I wonder if we could get Crystal, Chris & Micah out here at the same time too?

Reply
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
12/28/2012 02:58:03 pm

I DEFINITELY hope to see Micah-Kai and Crystal guys, I believe something is in the works for that.

Reply
Suzy link
12/30/2012 10:25:27 am

I often do this too at airports when I see different names of destinations, some familiar, some not. It's always nice to fantasize about getting on that plane to somewhere you didn't intend.

Reply
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
12/30/2012 06:24:01 pm

Great way to put it, FANTASIZE! More often than not it's just NOT a viable option. But we can all dream, right? Thanks for your comment.

Reply
Chris
12/30/2012 11:29:29 pm

Wow, so I am not the only one!
I had a similar thing in Hong Kong last year(2011). I was waiting for my flight to Beijing and I saw on the board Koahsiung, ah man you know how I feel about that place! It's my home! I was so close to try and find a way to get a ticket and get on board that flight!

Reply
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
12/31/2012 12:36:12 am

Hey, Mackers! Yeah, you're right, I'm quite familiar with your South Taiwan obsession. Haha. I'm glad I'm not alone on this man, considering what the previous commenter said, it seems to be a pretty common thing while traveling. And by the way, 2011 was so 2 years ago.

Reply
Chris
12/31/2012 01:01:36 am

For you maybe... I still have a few hours of 2012 left!

JR@TheDriftersBlog link
12/31/2012 12:59:33 pm

Yes, good point. Stay warm!

Denise Bird
12/31/2012 01:14:07 am

Funny how smells are so strongly associated with our memories. Salt water and fish....I smell that and I am right back on the docks in Montauk.

Reply
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
12/31/2012 01:00:47 pm

Wow, memories of Montauk, NY. Have you gone back there recently?

Reply
khia
1/1/2013 11:03:16 am

Totally understand the feeling, and only being 2 hours away Manilla is probably the next best place.

Reply
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
1/1/2013 03:50:57 pm

You know it! How are you enjoying your month long journey there? I'm assuming you're liking it, based off of your comment here. Can't wait to see you again, it's been over a year!

Reply
The Guy link
1/2/2013 12:58:57 am

I think you've summed up the contrast of what the sign/name means for different people. For you it means home, a place to feel safe, secure and know always makes you welcome. For others it is just a name on a sign.

You describe home so well, I hope you get back there soon.

Reply
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
1/2/2013 03:30:16 pm

Yes, great way to put it. There definitely is a contrast there. And I plan on going home for a visit in April or May this year!

Reply
Sarah
1/2/2013 01:46:16 pm

My dear JR,
I can understand how much you miss HOME. I felt the same when I came to Taiwan 20 years back. My heart goes for you. But we are here for you, you are not alone.

Reply
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
1/2/2013 03:31:54 pm

Aw, thanks Sarah, I know you guys are always there for me. But don't worry, this was just a moment of homesickness, a split second!

Reply
Sherrie
1/7/2013 06:51:37 am

Awesome blog JR! I've always been a fan of your writing!!

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JR@TheDriftersBlog link
1/7/2013 11:27:57 am

Hi Sherrie! Thanks for following along with my writing, I really appreciate that. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Reply
1 in about 8 million
1/7/2013 10:31:12 am

It's also kind of surreal as an expat, taking beloved visitors back to the airport for their home-bound leg, and NOT going with them. I always surprised how UN-homesick i feel after that... can't explain it.

Reply
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
1/7/2013 11:29:44 am

Yeah, I had to think about that one for a sec, but I now what you mean for sure! It's a mix of emotions in a sense, but definitely difficult to put into words. I'll have to think more on that one.

Reply
1 in about 8 million
1/7/2013 08:42:40 pm

Oh yeah... it does sound convoluted hey... so for eg/ you're living overseas, your friends come to visit, you have a great time with them, then see them off at the airport... they're going 'home' without you and... it's totally ok :)

JR@TheDriftersBlog link
1/7/2013 11:44:24 pm

Thanks! Don't worry I got it the first time around, just needed some "meditation", haha. I love comments like that. Good to get the mind spinning. I must say I completely agree with you on this, mainly because we keep ourselves busy wherever we are!

Molokai Mom
4/1/2013 02:04:08 pm

As I read your blog I found myself saying over and over, "Take the flight to Honolulu!" At the same time I know you need to do what is right for you. Keep the stories coming.....I love reading about where your travels take you. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Reply
JR Riel link
4/1/2013 07:19:05 pm

Yeah, Mom, it's been going great, and thanks for being supportive. It's true, I can't wait to see everyone again soon. 3 years is a long time to be away!

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Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans link
5/15/2013 12:12:26 pm

It's amazing what simple things can remind us of home and transport us back there. This is very well written. What made you decide to move to Taiwain?

Reply
JR Riel link
5/20/2013 07:14:01 pm

Dana, I've always dreamed of living somewhere else, not just travel there. I just hadn't thought it would be Taiwan. I had been to so many places before that I thought I could live in long term, Thailand, Panama, Costa Rica, Fiji. But it turned out to be Taiwan (for now!)

Reply
Jared 陈睿
6/17/2013 01:51:22 am

Wow! Not sure how I missed this!
What an awesome article. I've never been away from "home" for more than about four months... so, not sure if I'd feel this or not!! To be true, I haven't missed ANYTHING when I've been away! (Is that terrible?) Anyway - Great article! Thanks, JR!

Reply
visit this site link
8/11/2013 09:44:29 pm

Honolulu is one of the most beautiful capitols in the world. The experience one can have in the magnificent Hawaiian island is unforgettable. Your blog gives a lot about the fun and adventure in that place. Thanks a lot for sharing this

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