While working my side job yesterday afternoon, along the side of a road I came across a few large bundles of bananas. I really wanted to obtain these bananas because they are so tasty, nutritious and of course free. So in my phone went a reminder to snatch these guys up the following morning. Upon waking up, my reminder went off and Immediately was stoked to snag and bag them. With a quick message to Annika asking if she’d like to join and do a photography lesson, I sat in my car watching traffic pass while reading the word. Living in my car still hasn’t gotten old, even though sometimes it is cramped and lacking some basic necessities, I still enjoy it. It is my space. Like a hermit crab that is able to obtain new shells for a home, this CR-V is currently my shell, my home. Until my life is setup to move into a new shell, I shall be content with this one.
Too often are we malcontent with our lifestyles, because of other lifestyles we see around us. Sometimes we as human beings must be alright with what the season has to offer. Certain seasons will bear great harvests others not so much.
Anyway, Soon Annika responded stating that she would enjoy finding the fruits and learning more about photography. After throwing all my gear in their usual locations I sped off down the road towards her house. She was ready to go and soon we were off. A quick stop at the 7-11 to get a swig of coffee caused a delay in my mind thoughts. The idea to hit up some garage sales came floating around. So we did… The first sale was very unexciting, but the second was full of surprises. It was a large home sale, everything was up for grabs, not that we had the money for half of it though. Our chosen items were ice trays, cupcake pans, and a music book. The person managing the sale was very interesting. Downsizing his life, from the big house and luxurious lifestyle, to a small off grid home with a garden to raise his young son on.
We talked for a good half hour or so, exchanging ideas and whatnot, he even offered me a room in the house (which I may just take up for a night). The topic of our picking of fruit came up to which a passerby stated that he has some rambutan and star fruit in his car that we could have. It seems that everyone is kind, open to new ideas and helping each other out here on the Island, something that is almost forgotten when living on the mainland.
Back in the car we went, vrooming up the Kamehameha Highway toward Waimea. The location of which the fruit had been spotted was about 7 minutes outside of downtown Hilo. We parked on the side of the road and began looking for the bundles of bananas. At first they weren’t easy to see and looking back I don’t really understand how I saw them from the road the day prior. But alas we did indeed find them and the bundles were huge. There were probably at least 30 bananas on each bundle. The only problem was that two of the bundles were about 10 feet up, so we couldn’t easily reach them, oddly enough there was a large pole with a serrated blade attached to it. The bananas were now within reach and easy to obtain.
Two were quickly plucked from their perches and taken back to the CR-V. The last was saved for the photography lesson.
Canons first model 7D has always been a fantastic camera for the type of work that I do and a great tool to learn on. Handing it to Annika, I asked “Do you remember how to turn it on?” She smirked and flipped the switch.
We ran trough the basic understanding of Aperture/ISO/F-Stop. Also, how to zoom and focus the lens as well as shooting technique.
She’s an excellent student as I have come to know over the months. These are a few shots that she took while on our banana capturing escapade.
The bundles of bananas are still very very green and unable to be eaten, so in about two weeks they will be used for many delicious treats and smoothies.
With picking fruit on this day came the reminder that we have the choice to which kind of fruit we are to be picking day in and day out of our very lives. In this particular day we chose to spontaneously explore new opportunities utilizing the tools we have and the land that we live in and they both provided. We most likely harvested a good thirty dollars (plus or minus) of bananas. The other perspective of this experience, is sharing knowledge, tools and experience to teach Annika a trade/hobby of mine that I am quite passionate about. Like stated in a few of my other posts, sharing knowledge, gifts and passions is one of the greatest blessings that the Lord has given me. So many people in my life have done the same for me and inside I know that my life wouldn’t be the same if they hadn’t.
The Hawaiian word `IMI NA`AUAO means : “Seek Knowledge”.
In order to continue growing in this life, whether it be in culture, beliefs, hobbies/passions, or education overall we have to press into those things and seek knowledge.
“The mind of the prudent is ever getting knowledge, and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) knowledge.”
Proverbs 18:15
Continue exploring / Stepping out of your comfort zone / learning every moment of everyday. Take that opportunity that came your way, because you just might learn something new.
– ArrowAhead
Great message, pics and banannas!