SCHNITZEL-WINE-SAUNA-KIRSCH...ES ist Gut!

Drinking and eating are indeed a preoccupation here in Europe. Wine it seems is abundant and all of the homes I have visited have one commonality, the wine cellar. It is a cherished spot in any house. Kate's father Stini walked me through his tiered cool cellar. "Oh this one is very good. Und this one as well." He handed me those and picked out two more. Being the guest of honor each bottle was uncorked and I was given the first taste. Kate smiled her wonderful smile. "Oh this is great." Tessie, her mom saluted me with the same smile, "we are delighted you have come here to visit. So you like Switzerland? It is not so beautiful as Maui but different." "I'm having a great time Tess. The mountains and lakes are so very lovely. And of course so are you." A sheepish grin and upward shoulder movement suggested her delight. "Charles you are charming." "Not so much as me", Stini said. "Oh sure. You never say that to me. Laughter followed. Kate's brother said not very much. Unlike the rest of the family he was not so out going. "Charles do you like sauna?" "Well to tell the truth never been in one Tessie." "I must show you ours. Come." "She loves that sauna", Stini interjected as she led the way. She opened the door to the cedar lined interior. "You must try it. We will do so later. This will be your towel."  I perceived a bit of flirtatiousness in her movement. She was very attractive. "The sauna keeps your skin smooth. Kate always joins me when she visits. But...later." We returned to the patio and resumed conversation with the others. Kate insisted we walk out towards the lake. We passed both apple and cherry trees as we walked the earthen pathway. A high church steeple pushed towards the blue lightly clouded sky off to our right. 

"This is quite a lovely place Kate. So why didn't Peter stay?" "He has exams and needed to catch up." "Oh, I see." We came to the water's edge and sat on a bench looking out upon it's blueness. The gentle wash of the water over the polished black rocks added a meditative sound. "I sit here often gathering my thoughts." "It certainly is soothing." "We should walk a little through the town. My mother is preparing a special meal for tonight." "She is special." "She thinks the same of you Charles. We all do." "You're too nice Kate." "Com'on let's walk." She held my hand as we walked, pointing out places and reminiscing of days past. "My best friend lived there.That is my mother's sister's place. She just passed away last year. Thomas and Stini are fixing it up now, They plan to sell it." It was the same Swiss picture; Shutters and flower boxes. There is a very orderly fashion to everything. We pass a small stable attached to the side of a house. A cow is eating straw inside. It is somehow beyond clean and even it has flower boxes on either side of the open top half of the dutch doors.
Upon reentry to Kate's parents house the smells of cooking food floated through the air. "What are you making Tess? Can I help you?" "Why don't you open that white wine." I removed the bottle from the ice bucket and uncorked it. Kate who was beside me now handed me each of three glasses which I filled. Tess wiped her hands on her apron and accepted the glass I had brought to her. "Cheers. I am making Viener Schnitzel, simple but good. Here try this." She handed me a paper thin sliced and rolled reddish meat. "Here, dip it in this." The sauce tasted of horseradish. "You've had this before?" "Umm...I don't think so. Both Kate and Tess laughed. "Charles it is horse meat. Good...Yes?" "Really? Yes it is good. First time for me Kate." "Here, have another". With it she offered from a platter crusty bread and what appeared to be brie cheese. "Shall I help bring the food to the table", I offered as I nibbled. "Yes, I will help as well." "I love veal. It smells so good. One time as a kid I went to a friends house and his mother asked if I would stay for dinner. She was frying veal cutlets. I ate seven. "Mom! Charles is hungry make more." "No,no,no...It's quite fine." Stini appeared with more wine. " Ah, ES ist good!" "Where is your brother?" "Oh, he eats at his girlfriend's most evenings.""Gutten Appetit!" The meal was extremely good. I controlled my veal consumption to two servings but lost count to the amount of  wine I drank. We must have sat there for hours. I do remember washing some dishes with Stini's disapproval and have faint images of myself in the sauna with Kate and Tess. I do recall a shot of Kirsch. I awoke on the couch in the living room. I could hear morning movement and sounds; running water in the bathroom, a whistling tea pot from the kitchen.     

Meet The Folks

Touring through the Alps with my Swiss friends Peter and Kate was indeed seeing a part of Europe that one would  never see as a tourist. I had met them in Hawaii my home and now I was in their home. On Maui I had met Kate's parents.  We drove north from Lake Garda  heading for a region of Switzerland called Uri. It is in central Switzerland where the Reuss river flows. As with the rest of this small country the mountains are the backdrop to everything.

"I met Kate in high school. She lived in Erstfeld and I in a smaller town. but not so far. My father worked for the railroad. Stini, you met him. He worked as an engineer. I know Kate's parents thought she could have done better then me." "Oh Peter that is not so." "Yeah sure! Anyway my folks' place is not far from here."
The house sat on a gentle hill. It had red shutters and a gabled roof. It was old and not very fancy. The railway tracks ran along the back property line. Peter's father and mom were older then I had imagined. They did not speak much English. We acknowledged each other mostly with smiles and nodding heads. Peter's dad was thin and bore the appearance of years of hard work. His mother grasped the arm of her son with a sense of affirmation that he had done well. Peter showed me his childhood room. The valley and distant mountain pass were the view out the window, with a scarred wooden desk in front of it. All told it was a simple, honest place. Peter was now finishing architecture school. We had a nice lunch. Kate remained inside helping with dishes as Peter and I walked to a place where we sat amongst some wild flowers. "I like being in Zurick. There was nothing ever much to do here." "Well my friend I'll tell you this beats the hell out of the Bronx where I was raised." "Ahh well it was okay. I know Kate wants to get to Erstfeld. Stini and Tess are looking forward to seeing you again." "Whatever Peter. I like it here. It is relaxed and your folks are nice." Peter's father was sitting at a table alongside the house. He waved us over and handed each of us a beer. He smiled and we clicked our bottles. Gravel crunched beneath our tires as we waved goodbye. Nothing much was said as we drove through town in the valley below. The setting became more orderly with fenced properties and newer looking homes. Kate's parents bubbled as we entered their home. Stini, Kate's dad slapped my back as if an old lost friend had arrived. Tess gave me kisses upon both cheeks. "Oh sit! Kathy give me a hand." They entered the kicthen and before long we were all seated around the dining table with all sorts of appetizers and several bottles of wine. Peter however did not sit with us. He was standing next to my chair. "Charles I am going back to Zurick. I'll see you in a couple of days." There wasn't that usual smile on his face. Tess said "oh we need to take some photos". We went outside and Kate's brother who had been outside doing something or other appeared. "This is Charles, Thomas." We shook hands. Tess handed him a camera and he took several photos of Kate, Tess, Peter and I.

"See yeah later", Peter said. He hopped into the Volkswagen and drove off. I had this feeling that things were not quite right. I was only a guest and said nothing. Stini kind of halfheartedly waved as Peter drove away.
"Zoe we shall have more wine!" We had moved to an outside terrace and more food and drink was brought to the table.           

Tschuss!-----Bellissimo!

Sally and George bid us farewell as we headed out on our way to Italy. "Tschuss!...I really had I great time here in Cudrefin. We must stay in touch. If you come to Hawaii call me please." "You are so welcome Charles...Shoot dah Moon!" Both simultaneously turned and indeed shot us the moon as we headed off. "They are so funny. Can't believe their doing it." "They loved it Charles...Something American", said Peter.
At midday we had arrived in Como, Italy. "Well we must have lunch and some wine." Kate smiled brightly as she said that. Here we were in another gorgeous place. Wonderful villas ringed the lake. The city streets were cobblestoned and the smell of Italian food drifted into the air. Voices were a bit louder here but joyous. I noticed more hand gesturing between people. We decided on a Pizzeria where we would have our luncheon. The owner had beckoned us to his restaurant by moving a chair out from under a table, bowing and pointing at the blackboard menu. Kate, Peter and I nodded to each other and sat at the table. It is such a wonderful thing to be seated outdoors. With the waiter approaching Kate asked if it was okay for her to do the ordering. We agreed that she would order and whatever it was would be fine. Besides, she spoke perfect Italian.
"E perdere cio che avete per il pranzo?"
"Condivi deremo dal menu. Facciaamoci antipasto. E pizza con prochutto e olive per favore. An che una insalata di casa...Posso vedere la lista del vini...Avremo la Amorone."
"Splendido, tornera presto."
"I ordered, of course a pizza, antipasto, salad and a very special wine of this region." The wine that she had ordered was a red wine called Amarone. She went on to explain how the grapes were left in the sun to dry somewhat before the fermentation process. "Charles you will love this wine!"
 
"Il vostro vino!"
"Il vino a proprio piacimento?"
"Grande! Grazie."
"Antipasto. pane e pesto. Buon divertimento!"
"Grazie."
"Prego!"
Kate was exactly right. The wine was fabulous. We ate, drank and enjoyed each other. "Bellissimo!" "I didn't know you spoke Italian Charles." "Not much Kate, only a few simple words. Here's to us!" "Oh there's more Charles", Peter said. "We have more driving to do. Our next stop is Lake Garda." 
As we headed east towards our next destination Peter explained that Lake Garda was the largest lake in Italy. "It is the best place we have in the Alps for windsurfing. It is not like Maui. No big waves there, but the wind is good and we will rent equipment there and you will see for yourself." "Sure...It should be fun. I am having such a great time." "We are so glad you came to visit Charles." Kate was napping in the back seat as we sped along the highway. We were driving at what seemed a rather good clip, but out of nowhere cars would just zoom past us so quickly you could'nt read the license plates. We recognized one Alfa Romeo, a Ferrari, a Lamborghini and a Maserati. In masculine response Peter floored the Volkswagen's accelerator and passed an older Fiat with not quite the same intensity as the other cars had done to us. It was comic relief. "Peter...Bist du verruckt verlangsamen!" Kate yelled had out pushing upon Peter's shoulder. "Okay! Okay, she told me to slow down and I'm crazy...Women!" We rounded a corner and there below was a panorama of Lake Garda.

We settled into a cozy little hotel a block away from the lake front. An intimate courtyard was the view below our little balcony.

After freshening up the three of us set out into the street for a leisurely stroll. We did some window shopping and then sat for awhile looking out upon the lake. "We should find a nice place to have dinner", I suggested. "This evenings meal is on me." "Fine, but I need to shower and change clothes". Kate had the right idea. Looking more refined we found a rather elegant establishment with a great view. The waiter presented the menus. I took the liberty of ordering a bottle of Barbaresco at his suggestion. I tasted and accepted the bottle. Our waiter poured each of us a glass. "Salute!" We sipped the wine and looked our menus.

 Our collective decision was to once again order a variety of dishes and sample the fare. For antipasti we decided on chopped raw beef with white truffles, Speck, which is smoked prosciutto and a buttery Fontina cheese. The main course included:      
Bagna caoda-garlicky ravioli in Barbera wine

Agnolotti-stuffed pasta seasoned with the drippings of a roast

Tortelli di zucca-squash filled pasta

Polenta e fasoi-polenta with beans
For the finale we orderd a rich custard dessert  with espresso. We toasted one another with Grappa. After another wonderful meal under our belts Peter and Kate decided to call it a dayand headed back to the hotel. I found a bar and chatted with a Parisian girl who had also come here to windsurf. We parted ways at her hotel entrance where she gave me a friendly good night kiss. The next day Kate watched as Peter and I windsurfed.

               

Bellissimo! 

The Morning After...

"Aufstehen mein Freund ist es an Nachmittag. Wir werden die Stadt Fahrrad. Es ist en herrlichen Tag. Sie haben noch einen Kater haben Sie?"
"What was that?" I opened my eyes with Peter standing over me with a broad smile on his face. "I said you should get up. It is already afternoon and we are going to ride to the village on our bikes. I also asked if you have a hangover." "Okay...I feel fine. I need a quick shower." "Yeah sure we will wait for you, no hurry." As we were headed to town a picture entered my mind. It looked rather like this.

"That was certainly on hell of a night". "You were funny Charles." Peter told me how I had shown everyone how to do "Shoot the Moon". Kate chimed in, "It was great, so funny...Remember? We all went outside and dropped our pants and shot the moon. We will never forget." Everyone was laughing as we rode the bicycles into town.

It was all Hansel and Gretel to me. The fountain in the middle of town and the buildings that lined the streets all appeared as if from a story book. We settled into a cafe and and sipped coffee and ate strudel. We then continued to stroll around. 


I picked up some bread at la boulangerie, pork sausages at la charcuterie and cigarettes at le tabac.
It was a leisurely ride back to the house where we all took a cat nap. A few hours later George suggested we take his boat out upon the lake.

  Kate sunned upon the deck of the sailboat as I perused the scenery from the cockpit. This day here in Cudrefin had been yet another magical mystery tour.

ZURICH TO CUDREFIN

Switzerland is this place of lofty mountains jutting high into the heavens with green valley hamlets caressing clear deep lakes. The roadways straddle the majestic Alps and continue through abundant tunnels. The engineering is a wonder of man's achievement. Crisp air rushes into the Volkswagen as we drive from Zurick towards Cudrefin, a small town that hugs a vast lake named Neuchatel, the name of city on the other side.

 "My cousin has a lovely place in Cudrefin Charles. We are to meet Sally and her husband George in Aarau for lunch. Peter and I love this place and we think you will as well." "I am already loving everything. These highways are amazing." "You know my father worked on these tunnels. He is an engineer." "Extraordinary!" At about noon we could see Aarau. 

 We moved into the old town. Peter pointed out the eaves of the buildings. "We call them Dachhimmel. Quite lovely, don't you think?" "Wonderful, yes."

 This was a charming old town. "I hope you like this restaurant" Kate said as we walked towards the entrance. Sally and George were already there and we joined them at their table in the outdoor courtyard.

Kate introduced me to them. "We finally get to meet Mr. Hawaii." "It is my pleasure to meet you too. It is nice of you to have invited me to your place in....sorry I forgot the name." "Cudrefin", Peter reminded me. "Our pleasure" said George. "We should order. The cutlets here are amazing. Here have some wine." He was right the cutlet was great and the wine was especially good. It was indeed a lovely place. Everyone was warm and entertaining. We finished our lunch and I caught the check. "My treat." We then returned to the Alpian Way and headed to Cudrefin. It was dark when we arrived. The house was quite nice and we talked way into the night. George retrieved bottles of wine from his cellar. "Oh you must try this one!" By time I passed out upon the couch in the living room we had gone through fourteen bottles of wine. I think it was the Schnapse that put me over the edge.





 

 

MEINE FREUNDE

I was indeed tired but excited as I boarded the train in Paris. It had been some time since I had last seen Peter. We had shared so many good times in Hawaii. Now I was about to experience his Switzerland. The train pulled from the station and quickly accelerated. The countryside of France whizzed by. I snacked on bread and cheese. The red wine washed it down and also sent me into dreamland. Before I knew it my destination, Zurick. I stepped out upon the station platform and in a few short minutes Peter was standing before me. "It is so good to see you." His girlfriend Kate rushed from behind him and threw her arms around me. "Oh Charles, you are here. Peter and I are so thrilled. How was your trip?" "It was long but here I am. It is great seeing you two." Peter grabbed my bag. "Okay, we go to my car."

    Peter put my bag in his Volkswagon front hood/trunk. Kate said,"you sit in front with Peter." We pulled out and wove our way through the streets of Zurick. It was ten thirty and I saw the night vision of this ancient yet modern city. Lake Zurick glistened in the moonlight as we headed towards Oberrieden, the town where my friends had their apartment. We climbed one flight and entered their place. It was all white and had bare wooden floors. "Welcome to our home. Your room is over here." Kate led me to it. Peter was opening a bottle of wine as we returned to the living room. He handed me a glass and another to Kate. "Salute." It was so good to see them. We shared some conversation and finished the wine. "I know how tired you must be Charles." "Hate to admit it but yes I really am." "Well meine freunde, guten nacht...schlafen gut!" Peter and Kate walked me to my bedroom. "Okay, thanks for everything. See you in the morning." I fell directly asleep.

Morning arrived with the smell of coffee brewing. "Good morning Kate. Where is Peter?" "Oh he had some things to do at his office. He shall be back shortly. Did you sleep well?" "Yes, I really did. Sorry I was so tired last night." "Don't be silly, that was such a long travel for you. It always takes us so many days to return to normal when we come home from Hawaii. We know all about it." "Well I feel great now." "Charles we have everything planned. It is going to be so much fun." "It already is. Great seeing you." We shared coffee. The view outside was amazing. Earthen colored tiled roofs and flower boxes hung outside windows. Peter walked in and said, "Okay we are  going to have a blast." I had no idea where we were headed but I knew it would be great. We threw our bags into the Bug and drove into the Alps.

SOMEWHERE BEYOND THE SEA...EUROPE CALLS TO ME

"Hello." "Aloha, Charles." It was my Swiss friend Peter on the phone. "I'm calling to invite you to Switzerland." "What?" "Yes, I want you to come over here. I am not able to go to Hawaii this summer, so you come here." "Oh, Peter I can't afford that." "Yes you can...I have all these miles that I need to use. If I don't I will lose them. So you will use them, quite simple." We went back and forth, me saying no, he saying yes. "I insist! We will have a great time." I finally gave in to his insistence. Two weeks later I boarded a flight out of Honolulu. The itinerary included two layovers, first Dallas, Texas then Raleigh, North Carolina. Thirty two hours after leaving Honolulu I landed in Paris.

It was 4PM and I was to catch Bullet Train, TGV#9297, leaving Paris est at 5:54PM, arriving Zurick at 10:54PM. I walked to a little shop where I purchased a bottle of red wine, a loaf of crispy bread and some cheese. Seated by a fountain, I watched people stroll about, a policeman direct traffic and the flight of pigeons. The wine tasted superb. The bread and cheese were tres bon. I bought a second bottle of the same wine and crossed the boulevard making my way to the train. I was here in Europe....La joie de vivre!!!!!!   

DREAMERS/DOERS

"So, Charley, it wasn't exactly as we might have thought. I for one thought it might have gone farther." "So much for thinking!" "Yes." The day had been a hurried shut down of the Hawaiian/ Chinese museum and my @theunderground gallery. Mr. Ling had his rug pulled from under him. It was a reaction to time and circumstance. The bubble had burst. The Japanese philanthropist had gone beyond his means. Lawyers had whispered in his ear..."You need to forgo that donation." The building that housed our dreams was sold. "You had a good run." "Yes, I did." "Well I did too." We sat there sipping vodka cocktails and viewing another great sunset. "It's all in the doing." "We accept the moment, you and I." "I'll drink to that." All the artifacts returned to his garage. The art was in the hands of those who created it. The sun was dropping into the sea. Two dreamers, Mr Ling and I sat, loving the splendor of the moment. Nothing was lost. Sharing the idea of dreams we had in common. "I got this offer to lecture on the cruise ships." "I am going to do a remodel in Kaneohe ." Even just an instant of doing your dream is way beyond not doing it at all." "Thanks, Jimmy." "Great sunset".

 

DOUBLE FEATURE

Music and singing are two things that set souls of men on a journey beyond the ground they walk upon. Even those who never attain perfection in their voices find release from the weight of their thoughts by the action of singing. Doing so in a shower helps a great deal. As a kid I found the rebound effects of the tiled subway walls helpful... Anyway, that is an aside to a couple of my Oahu evenings.
At the gallery, it came to pass that the art professor from UH did call me. We agreed to a showing of his work. His art was edgy and abstract. Upon the walls he hung the most unusual of things. As a viewer would pass these objects emitted electronic sounds.The skateboards with fencing masks made rolling wheel and clashing sword sounds. The rubber frogs ribbited before forestry photos. The guy was beyond clever. He also placed a kaleidoscope of vintage musical enhancers around the gallery. There were old tubed things and a painted phonograph horn. A group of musicians rounded out the lot. They performed playing both modern instruments and others handmade. An older Hawaiian man alternately chanted then blew airy sounds with his nose flute while seated in a wheelchair. This was dysfunctional performance art that somehow worked. The gallery audience was drawn into the avant garde show. I sang spontaneous words concocted in wine soaked mind sets. Reflecting upon it later, it was not unlike my first acid trip.

 












At the Kee'hi clubhouse one night after the monthly meeting Lionel, Wilson, Fuzzy and I sat at our round table consuming beers. Lionel began his acapella rendition of Blue Moon.

Blue moon, you saw me standing alone

Without a dream in my heart

Without a love of my own

Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for,

You heard me saying a prayer for,

Someone I could care for

"Beer?"....."Thought you'd never ask."

And then there suddenly appeared before me

The only one my arms will ever hold

heard someone whisper please adore me

And when I looked the Moon had turned to gold

Blue moon 

Now I'm no longer alone

Without a dream in my heart

Without a love of my own.

The big man had transformed into Elvis, sitting and filling a chair. One could see those sideburns and pronounced hip movement even though there were none... "Beer?" I turned my back, gathered the "thought you'd never ask" beers from the cooler and returned to a round table of backyard players with barnyard instruments and a ukulele. Lionel held the uke, Fuzzy sat at a washtub bass, and Wilson had a washboard on his knee. I passed the beer out and somehow a harmonica attached itself to my hand. Tiny Bubbles went on to the line So here's to the shining sea...Fingers pointed at me. I closed my eyes and sang the song into the harmonica. It actually sounded okay......."Right on!" the tune continued with more beer passing and lots of laughter. 

There's an island across the sea

Beautiful Kaua'i, beautiful Kaua'i

And its calling...........

 

Lionel's chair slid sideways and he crashed to the ground. Everyone tried to help him up. There was no moving him. Someone grabbed a pillow from the shed. "Okay guys I think I'll go sleep on my boat." A virtual wet dream ensued. I misjudged my step to the boat and fell in the drink. Curled in the back of my boat along with a pounding headache the sun awakened me. "I'd best coffee myself!" It was a long jangled ride home to Nuuanu. A shower, then bed untill evening ransacked the entire day. Twilight was too bright. Forgetting dinner I passed onto the bed one more time."God! How do professional singers and musicians ever catch an ordinary moment?"  

IN MEMORIAL

Being an early riser and now a member of the fishing club, it came to be my morning ritual to drive down the hill to the harbor. I'd stop along my way at the McDonalds and order a small coffee and two Sausage McMuffins without egg. The clubhouse was not unlike going to a small town diner for breakfast. It was a place where gossip sugared the conversation amongst familiar faces. Upon arriving there I'd park in my designated spot. Fuzzy would pull up in his old Toyota pickup. His routine was to remove his Budweiser 12 pack from the bed with a Marlboro cigarette dangling from his mouth. He then unlocked the clubhouse entry gate and walked inside. I would follow him. "Good morning Charley Boy, how's it hangin'?" "Couldn't be better." He'd pop a cold one open and place the 11 others in the fridge. He had dark shoulder length hair. A slight belly protruded from his tank top. A handmade tattoo of a panther adorned his right wrist. He never sat, just walked from the head of the first table back and forth to the ice box. He chain smoked the Marlboros. I would set myself upon the picnic table opposite the one he stood at. There I'd sip my coffee and after one or two bites of my sausage muffin a couple of newer pickups would pull in front. One was a red Chevy, the other a dark green Dodge. Lionel plodded in followed by Wilson, two men equal height both with rectangular lard filled bodies. "Good morning gentlemen" always arrived in unison with bass voices. There was only one physical characteristic of difference between them. Wilson had a full beard. Lionel was clean shaved. Lionel marched to his regal seat at that same table Fuzzy stood beside, and would throw two packs of Virgina Slim Menthols upon the table. Wilson sat at the entry end of the table I sat upon, facing them. Just like clockwork, Kenny would enter. His salutation was very soft spoken. Unlike the rest of us wore shorts, he wore dark blue trousers and a club tee shirt with logo. The morning banter included assessments of people, vehicles passing out front as well as the boats that crossed the lagoon. After everything new had been voiced, old stories and jokes would rebound mostly between the competing Wilson and Lionel. They always laughed heartily as hearing it for the very first time. They both had retired from work at Pearl Harbor ship yard. Fuzzy was closing in on retirement but still worked there on the night shift. The reality was that he merely punched in then disappeared to some Korean hostess bar. His foreman would call him if an emergency arose or some higher up was on the prowl. Someone other then himself would punch him out. Lionel and Wilson would continually lam blast Fuzzy as a no good who would surely have been fired under their watches. "Well I don't work for you and I could give a shit" Fuzzy would retort. "I think I'll go fishing this weekend" Lionel would say. "You been sayin' that for a year" Kenny would counter. "See yah." Ken would either go to his boat or drive off.I too would hele on the following hour.
One morning I arrived to a new face at the clubhouse. His name was Fernando. He was about my age, but did not appear to be that well. After meeting him Lionel told me more. Fernando was an old friend who was way down on his luck. He lost his job, got booted out into the street and to top it off was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. "Don't let on that you know." The guys had given him a key and told him he could use the facility and sleep in the shed. There was one shed that had a cot, TV, and air conditioner. It served the sometime off-island visitor or the occasional club member who drank one too many. Fernando really was a nice guy. He went about cleaning and pruning. The clubhouse sparkled under his watch. Two months later Fuzzy found him lying unconscious in front of the shed. He was rushed to the hospital. He died three days later. We called an impromptu meeting of members and unanimously decided to pay the hospital bill and arrange for his cremation and a good funeral. It was a Saturday when his relatives and the priest arrived. Every member was there. The family and the priest walked down the pier where they boarded the largest boat in our club. It motored slowly out of its berth and turned towards the channel. One by one all of our boats formed a line headed out towards the head buoy. We went two miles farther out. There we formed a circle, twenty boats in all, around a deep clear blue ocean. It was a windless day. The sun shone brightly. The priest read a bit of scripture and finished with, "Dear Lord accept this soul into your kingdom." The ashes floated out upon the water. One hundred flower leis were tossed from our boats. Ten or so men dove into that circle and swam, whooping sounds rising aloft. In slow movement the flotilla circled the spot three times. I shed tears and smiled all at once. The boats left the circle, formed a straight line and headed home to our harbor. At the clubhouse a celebration of food, drink, and Hawaiian music went on late into the night...ALOHA FERNANDO     
         

ALL IN FAVOR...ALL OPPOSED

One morning down at the harbor I was cleaning and tidying my boat. A guy from down the pier walked over and voiced a friendly "hello". "Nice day. I was wondering if you could lend me a hand? Need to bring a few things to my boat." I followed him down the pier. "Oh, by the way, I"m Billy." "Charles", I replied. We headed to the building across the parking lot. "This is our clubhouse." With his key he unlocked the chain link gate. "I was over here once on the first day when I got my slip." "Two of your members invited me over here for a couple of beers. Nice guys, don't recall their names. I'm really bad with names."
The building itself was just a roofed structure with the rear wall being the only one with siding. The front was encased by lattice between the concrete supporting columns. An assortment of photos hung on the latticework. They were all of men standing next to very large fish. Eight long green planked picnic type tables were bolted at a right angle to the concrete floor. The rear wall had a stage area with a lectern, two flag poles, one American, the other Hawaiian, assorted large trophies and a ship's wheel. Next against that wall was a large refrigerator and stove. The right side was home to a very long combination sink and side boards of stainless steel. A wooden table the same size sat inward in front of it. There was also a pool table, round card table, large elongated freezers, an ice machine, a brick grilling area and two more refrigerators. The grassy area on the far left had one of those portable outhouses in the front corner. Beyond the structure to the right were three aluminum garden type sheds in a row. It was from one of those that Billy and I collected two white coolers and an assortment of fishing gear which we stacked onto an iron push cart.
After we had accomplished the mission, Billy thanked me for the help. "No problem, any time." "Hey Charlie, why don't you join us tonight at the club. It's our monthly meeting. Good grinds and you'll meet the other club members. In fact why don't you join the club?" "I'm not a fisherman Billy." "You don't have to be. A couple of sailors are members." "Okay, what time?" "Around five." "What should I bring?" "Just whatever you drink." "I'll see yah then. Thanks again."
I returned to the club about five thirty and the lot was full of vehicles. With a twelve pack of beer I entered. Billy saw me right away. He greeted me and introduced me to a few guys. Larry pointed to a cooler on the ground and said "you can throw those beers in there". I emptied eleven into the ice and twisted another open. There were mayber thirty or so guys standing about in groups loudly chatting and drinking. Billy assumed a central position and shouted above the voices. "Let's bring this meeting to order!" A hush came over the group with only a few here and there whispers. "Gentlemen, any new news?....Any old news?....Thought not. Let's grind!" The long wooden table was covered with an assortment of good looking food. An orderly line proceeded to pile paper plates full with everything. Most of these men were on the larger side and I could see how they kept in shape. Billy waved me to the table where he sat. "Lou, George, Lionel"...he continued with introduction..."This is Charlie. He has that new sailboat at the end of the pier." "Nice to meet you guys. Can I get someone a beer?" Three voices in unison replied. "Never thought you'd ask!"...More laughter followed. They were all regular kind of guys. They told funny jokes and ate and drank with gusto. It was a very pleasant place. With the several trash cans now full, Billy stood, wrapped an arm over my shoulder and announced, "I am sponsoring Charles here to be a member of our club. Charlie would you kindly step outside while we take a vote?" I walked outside and waited. "All in favor...All opposed. Hey Charlie boy come on back...Sorry Charlie"...laughter arose from the entire group. Lionel said, "he's shitting you! Welcome.  Lou, collect his dues."
I had never before joined any club. I was a loner. Well, things change.             

SEAMANSHIP...UNDERSTANDING THE JIBE

A sailing vessel is something that captures the imagination of dreamers and the wealthy. Freedom and adventure stir the hearts of dreamers. Yacht clubs and whimsy draw the rich. Myself, I am in the dreamer category.
A youthful failure at academics, I enlisted in the Navy. I wanted to travel the world and swagger about ports of call. Bell bottoms I thought a signature of manly sex. Foreign women, rowdy bars and salty voyage painted my mind.
Older now, my self portrait was that of a tanned sailor at the helm of his boat.
Learning to sail and being the captain of my ship was another thing. Most acquire that skill with practice aboard tiny boats called dinghies or snipes. I brazenly and unwittingly skipped that elementary step and instead acquired a thirty foot sloop on which to gather the skills. My girlfriend, being much more level headed then I insisted that at least we master those abilities within the safe confines of Ke'ehi lagoon. Halfheartedly I would follow her advice. My agreement to her demands were based upon the need I had for a sailing partner. My boat needed two to handle her: at least in the early stages. For about a month we would go to the harbor and practice the mundane:
               motor in and out of the slip
                    turn into the wind
                    hoist the sails
                    slowly navigate the harbor
                                                               OVER AND OVER
My eyes were always fixed upon that green buoy way out the the channel. It was the one that announced the deep water and fun sailing. I twisted her resisting arm one day and talked her into heading out there. "See this is nice out here. Wasn't that hard." She did not answer that, just sat there. We were coursed towards Diamond Head and Waikiki. The deep clear blue washed the sides of the boat. We were settling into a fine even sail. The island coastline looked lovely on the left and other sails dotted the horizon. My girlfriend pointed starboard to a tug pulling a barge. "Charles do you see that tug?" "Yes hon, I do." "Charles we need to turn around. The tug is headed in  and we shouldn't go any closer." "Oh we're fine. We have lots of time. Besides we're under sail and have right of way." The tug sounded its horn once. I waved. "He's greeting us." The tug was closer now bearing down upon us. A series of rapid horn blasts sounded. "Turn! Turn!" She was shouting. "Oh my God" sounded in my brain. I lost everything and pushed the tiller hard right. It was a whirl of blue and suddenly a mighty crash of the boom upon my skull. I quickly fell back but somehow not overboard. The boat had jibed. That is the most violent way in which a boat turns about.
Amazing Grace, living up to her name, bobbed motionless as the tug passed astern some meters away. My girlfriend looked upon me tense and sobbing. "You've got blood all over your face!" "I'm alright." Adrenalin kicked me back to some lucidness. I agreed to her infinite wisdom and we lowered the sails and motored back to harbor and slip. "I'm never setting foot on your boat again! You're insane! You need to see a doctor."   
   

TAKE...ONE

This morning I filled my travel coffee cup with Kona Java and made my way outside to the street. There were just so many last minute details that I had to do for the gallery opening party this coming Friday night. Mr. Ling, who on normal days wasn't even up yet was putting luggage into the trunk of this Lincoln Town car. His son was sitting behind the wheel, the engine was running and Mrs. Ling was sitting in the back seat. Jimmy wasn't in his normal undershirt and over sized shorts, but rather had on a nice Aloha shirt and jeans that actually fit. With a pleasant smile he afforded me "Good morning, Charley." "Same to you Jimmy. Where you guys going?" "Me and the wife we're off to the mainland. We got this summer place in Oregon, on a nice little bay. Gonna' do a little fishing." "Really?" "Yes sir, we go every summer. I slipped an envelope under that door in the hall. It has our address. You can mail the rent up there for the next two months. Would talk more but we gotta catch our plane." "Sure, have a great summer." "See yah when we get back. Aloha." He jumped into the back seat and waved as they left. This landlord of mine is certainly a character. He has this house here that he has transformed into a maze of unconventional rental units. He has a museum downtown and a place on the mainland. If one were to pass him on the street you would think he was a penniless. So much for thinking. I hoped into my vehicle and drove don towards the Pali Highway. I found side street parking and walked to the bus stop. It was really difficult to find parking downtown and the garages were really expensive. My bus arrived on schedule and I found a seat where I sipped my coffee and surveyed the landscape. Fifteen minutes later I got off on Bishop Street and refilled my mug at Starbucks. I walked past the Bank of Hawaii then onward towards the ATM at American Savings a few steps beyond. I withdrew twenty dollars and proceeded diagonally across Fort Street towards the building on King Street that housed the gallery. Four tall palms graced the side wall of the building. A park type bench was anchored to the cobbled street in front of the trees. Slumped upon the bench, with a hand cart resting before him was a figure shrouded in a long blue trench coat and a wide brimmed, rain type hat, that was cinched tightly about his head. Upon the cart were two rather large suitcases bound with masking tape. I had seen him before plodding along the streets here in the downtown area pulling that cart behind him. I could only wonder how he stood the tropical heat with all of that heavy clothing. He was one of the many homeless that cruised this area. As I approached he jerked to a standing position and shuffled away with his bags in tow. Rounding the front of the building, there before the entrance was a large sheet of filthy cardboard, a broken wine bottle and cigarette butts strewn about. I unlocked my gated entry at the westerly end of the building and proceeded within and took my elevator down to the gallery. There I collected my janitorial implements. I swept and then hosed the sidewalk clean. At the newsstand I bought both the Honolulu Advertiser and Star Bulletin. Back inside the gallery I flipped to the sections in each paper that had the listings for gallery events. My press releases had paid off and the opening reception was listed as I had hoped. I picked up the phone and called both paper's art critics so as to make a personal invitation to the event. I spoke directly with one critic who assured me it was noted in her appointment book; The other, I left a recorded message. Members of The Digital Art Society would be showing up throughout the day with their artwork. I had decided on having them as my first showing artists as it fit in with my own art which was digital as well. Todd,the president of the group, arrived an hour later with my logo banner signage which I had ordered from him. He had produced it on his large format printer.  He removed it from a long tube and unfurled it on the gallery floor. It was even better then I had envisioned. Out of a smaller tube He released three smaller ones. "Great Todd. I'll write you a check." "Forget it. My gift. We are very excited to have our group showing here. I'll see you later on when I bring my art down." My luck was indeed running strong. Last week a friend of a friend gave me this wonderful old barber's chair to use when in mild conversation I had spoken about my idea of incorporating a salon into the mix. He said it had been only taking up room in his studio/office. Magic was certainly in the air. 
Some noise was coming from upstairs. I trotted up the stairway to the ground floor. There were a couple of guys shoving glass display cases through the front doors. "May I help you?" "Oh we got it, thanks." I hadn't meant it quite that way but just stood there watching. After a time, one man came over towards me and held his hand out. "I'm Henry Kim, a friend of Mr. Ling. You must be Charley. He told me about the gallery you are opening downstairs. We will be neighbors. I am moving my jewelry business here. You haven't seen Lee yet, have you?" I shook his hand. "I'm not acquainted with Lee." "Oh he'll be around. Nice guy. He is opening an oxygen bar here as well. This is a nice building. I think we will do well around here." "Well what about the museum?" "Oh we are leaving the dragon here as well as the marriage wagon. Everything else is upstairs and we will see to the visitors. All is taken care of. Jimmy is a swell guy. I need to get back to work. Talk more later."
I took all of this in. Quite an eclectic mix of businesses. Mr. Ling was indeed a little eccentric. What did it matter.
The rest of the day and week went along quite well. All of the art was hung and the gallery looked good. My son Denim helped out a lot. He and some of his buddies had distributed fliers about town. Friday night arrived and the various artists all showed up an hour before the reception was to begin. People arrived and seemed to enjoy the show. Cool jazz was played by a trio. Wine and pupus were consumed. A photographer from the Advertiser snapped photos. Other gallery owners from downtown congratulated me on the event and wished me success. An art professor from UH presented himself to me and said he just loved the SOHO feel to the whole thing. He said he was rather interested in having a showing at the gallery. I handed him my card. "Give me a call Monday." At eleven o'clock the last of the guests had left. Three painting had been sold. I took one last look around, turned the lights off and locked the gate. I sat behind the wheel of my truck, reached into my pocket and took a look at the napkin with the telephone number penciled upon it. This lovely oriental woman had handed it to me that evening. "I think I'll give her a call tomorrow. Maybe she might like to go sailing."   

@theunderground OPEN

GRAND OPENING??????????

THINGS TO DO:

        clean
        paint
        design
        build
        ADVERTISE
             press releases
             flyers
            signage
        INVITE
        art critics
        gallery owners
        ART&ARTISTS 
        interview
                                                         exhibits
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SPEND MONEY what money??????????????
 ------------------pray------------------
    

YEAR OF THE DRAGON

I Had just returned from Safeway. Mr Ling was outside busily loading a U-haul moving van. "Charley." "Yes Jimmy." "Can you lend me a hand?" "Certainly." "See that dragon up there? I need to get it down and put in the truck." This large colorful thing was up in the rafters. A dragon head hung downward and some clawed feet dangled over one side. I had seen such a thing dancing down Chinatown streets in New York, firecrackers exploding at its sides as it snaked along. I climbed over assorted boxes and other stuff and managed to get myself up there with the beast. It took some doing, trying not to rip it, but we managed to get it down safely and stuff it into the awaiting vehicle. "Anything else?" "Oh yeah that wedding carriage there." In the next half hour we managed to stuff an assortment of unusual things into the van. It was crammed full. "Where are you taking all of this?" "Downtown Charley. To my museum." "Really, you got a museum downtown?" "It's a long story, but I just got this building donated to me and I am opening my Hawaiian Chinese Museum." "That sounds interesting." "It's great, a whole building on King Street. I've been putting it out there for some time and this Japanese guy up and donated it for my use. Can you believe that?" "Well you must be excited." "Oh I am. I've got more things in storage at other places. Wanna go with me and have a look?" "Sure. I'll run up with my groceries and be back in a jiffy." Jim and I drove downtown and pulled in front of this four story building. He backed into a loading area along side and we got out. A couple of men were there waiting at the front entrance. "Charley this is Fred, and this is Tommy." I shook hands with each of them. Jim unlocked the door. "Well here it is!" we all walked in and Jimmy showed us around. The building had an elevator. We rode up to each floor and looked about. Jimmy was all smiles and was saying what he had in mind for each floor. I made a couple of suggestions and he acknowledged them with approval. "You got some very good ideas Charley." We unloaded the truck's contents piling them on the ground floor. When his pals had left we talked a bit more about his vision. Again I offered some ideas. "I like your ideas." Over the next week together we made order out of Jim's collection. Chinese lanterns hung outside and a sign reading HAWAIIAN CHINESE MUSEUM  was affixed to the plate glass window from within. I attended the the museums blessing / grand opening celebration. Mr Ling's smile beamed over the leis that went from his shoulders to his bottom lip. "Congratulations  Jimmy." "Thanks Charley." Two days afterward Jim knocked at my door.   "Charley, I got this idea." "What's that Jim? Come in." "I like your paintings." He had seen them before. I had quite a few hanging on my walls. "I'm glad you like them. I try." "Don't be modest they are good. So, look. you know that basement area at the museum?' "Yes." "Well I think you should do a gallery there. What yah say?" "Mr Ling I couldn't afford that sort of space." "Who mentioned money? If you want it you can have it. When you make some money let's say you make a donation." "You're joking?" He smiled. We shook hands. "You're somethin' else!" "Hey the sun is settin'. how bout we have our cocktail out front?" "Gan Bei!...Cheers!"
Just like that @theunderground was born...my very own gallery in downtown Honolulu.