Baila la calle de noche, baila la calle de dia

I came back with Hawaiian fever last year. Don't let this scare you. I think a lot of people come back with it after visiting the islands. I don't believe that it is highly virulent and it is definitely not transmissable on continental North America.

To relieve the fever, I have relived some of the wonders of the islands right here in Vancouver. My friends, Janet, Joe, Alyssa, Sandeep, and Mike, treated me to a surprise Hawaiian luau celebration for my birthday last year. The lomi lomi salmon - incredible; the surprise dessert - a hula girl carrot cake!


I ate more fantastic food, listened to island music, and checked out great snaps of Hawaii at my boss's house when we enjoyed pupus on his lanai this past summer and at get-togethers with the Hawaii Five to plan our trip. From one of these dinners, I received a "How To" guide for the hula dance, complete with castanets and lei, from Tamas.


Despite having the simple instructions that dissect the hula to its basic motions, I have not yet mastered this dance. Personally, when I'm on a dance floor, my movements are less controlled, more free-form, and driven by music with a louder, throbbing bass line. I think that Shakira summarized my problems with the hula best in the title of her hit single: Hips Don't Lie.