Puna has been a little rainy this month. And quieter. The post '08 crash has been a lengthy period of much lower tourist influx to the Big Island. The plane ride over from L.A. was not even half full.
But prices for a lot of things like food, always pricey on the islands, have softened or stayed the same since I was here last. However, gasoline is close to five a gallon now in a lot of locations. the Mango Tree Network is still up and running. But I've seen several actual real houses have been built along the Red Road, really kind of upsetting to see. A lot of traditional activities at my host's compound as in the past, sweat lodge nights, a ritual naming ceremony for a one year old, and a big native american church event coming up to be presided upon by a particularly legendary road man. And the elders here have recently been granted the status of a chapter in the church which means even more official events in the near future. the compound is quite lively. And of course, I've had some really magic nights up on the volcano, with Pu'u O'o actually seeming to be serene after an August outburst that produced extensive new vents on its western flank which you can see a bit in the photo here. This is probably my only post for this journey, just having too much enjoyment and wanting to stay off grid.
