NOTE
In February, Leroy and I will go on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City with Fr. Tom, Deacon Eric, and other All Saints University Parish parishioners. We are truly grateful for the opportunity and look forward to the experience. Please keep us in your prayers, as you will be in ours. If you have any particular prayer intentions, message us, and we’ll carry them with us on this journey.
I don’t want to brag, but I will tell you that I’ve become quite good at relaxing while on vacation in Maui. I’m an expert in fully experiencing the Valley Isle’s benefits. I know how to escape the hectic, everyday life and thoroughly enjoy Maui, and I’ll share some tips with you here.
- Embrace ‘Island Time.’ – Time flows differently on Maui. Things happen at a slower pace. This can be difficult initially as we are so prone to the hurry-up culture. But all around you, you’ll be reminded, “This ain’t the mainland.”
- Don’t look like a tourist. When you go snorkeling, Try to be smooth. Watching a flailing swimmer enter the water with a snorkel mask is a sure sign of a tourist. Practice a smooth and calm entrance and exit from the water.
- Beware of the ‘Aloha Burn.’ – The sun is just different on Maui, and I’ve seen many vacations ruined by painful sunburns. (And you’ll look stupid.) Slather on the sunscreen, even if it makes you look like a ‘Haole.’
- Flip-flops are a philosophy. Leave your fancy clothes (and shoes) at home. Wearing a swimsuit (under a cover-up) anywhere on the island is perfectly acceptable.
- Always pack two swimsuits, so one is always dry and ready to put on quickly.
- Trying to pronounce the names of the streets in Maui will only make the locals laugh at you. Use your GPS, but don’t trust her pronunciation, either. But you should always use ‘Aloha’ (hello/goodbye) and ‘Mahalo’ (thank you) with everyone you encounter.
Most of all, pause and reflect on the gift of this paradise. You cannot experience Maui and not be transformed by its beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Stop and appreciate the opportunity and take some of the Aloha Spirit wherever you go.