I think this book...

[Haole Girl]

..changed my life:

Olivia: My Life of Exile in Kalaupapa, by Olivia R. Breitha




http://www.amazon.com/Olivia-My-Life-Exile-Kalaupapa/dp/0963138839


It is about a woman who was banished and forced to live in exile in Kalaupapa. It is an easy read... in fact, I finished it on the flight home.

Olivia was, and still is, a true inspiration. Feisty... fearless. She stood up for the truth and fought for other people, to try to make their lives easier, all of her life. And, though she had Hansen's disease (formerly known as leprosy) she lived to be 90 years old.

If you are lacking strength... lacking inspiration.. I would recommend it.

Also, if you have any way to get to Kalaupapa (on Molokai) before the last patients leave and the place is turned over to developers, do it!


Pics, below, from our recent visit there:



In the 1800's, patients were thrown overboard and had to attempt to swim (from the jagged edged island on the left to the sea cliffs). They were only given one week's worth of food and the clothes on their back. Many were too weak to swim ashore.



The church Father Damien (a Belgian priest) built. He died at 49 years of age from Hansen's (leprosy). He was the only known person to contract the disease (ever) while living on Kalaupapa . It is ironic, because only 4% of the population even has the predisposition to contract Hansen's. Today, of course, there are drugs to stop it. After 3 days of taking the treatment, patients are no longer contagious. Exiled patients were first allowed to leave Kalaupapa in 1969... almost all of them stayed.



Between the lava rock wall, and the sea (in the below pic), there are hundreds of unmarked graves. There used to be wooden crosses, but they were washed away by a tsunami in the 1940's:



edit: typos

[skygazer]

1. What a beautiful place for such a tragic history!

I've read a bit about this but will definitely look for that book - it sounds excellent. And I would love to visit the place - thanks for the recommendation. :hi:

[Haole Girl]

2. Thank you

The book is a little sad, I might say even depressing, at first. But a few days after reading it, something happened inside of me. I know it sounds silly and corny, but it really put things into perspective for me.

I am trying to hold onto these thoughts today... strong, enduring, courageous thoughts.

[skygazer]

3. May I suggest a book for you then?

http://www.amazon.com/First-They-Killed-Father-Remembers/dp/0060856262/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-6817202-3781450?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190648639&sr=1-1

It's called First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung

It's about a girl who was very young when the Khmer Rouge took over the country. Her family was forced out of Phnom Penh to a work camp, her father was murdered, her brothers forced into the army, the family suffered unspeakable things.

Eventually, she and her oldest brother and his wife were able to refugee to America (to Vermont actually, where I'm from which struck a chord with me - I remember the influx of Cambodian refugess in the 70's) where they did well.

It's pretty heart-rending but uplifting to me - and I think about it when I think about how tough my life seems sometimes. It kind of puts things into perspective for me, you know?

[Haole Girl]

4. Thanks

I will try to read it soon. I knew a woman when I was in college who lived in a refuge camp in Vietnam, during the war, when she was very young. She saw things a young girl should never see.

It is amazing how much some people endure... how they survive.

[Sequoia]

6. I read that book. Really good.

[Haole Girl]

7. Really?

Did you get to go to Kalaupapa? I want to go back... soon. I'm already planning my next trip. I'm going to try to hike it next time. We flew in, last time.

[Sequoia]

16. Kalaupapa?! Ha, I'm lucky if I get to San Francisco at this rate.

I only live a hour or so away but stuck in old Hooterville it seems. Sigh.

I just read the book. Nice photos you have though. I'm using one for my wallpaper today.

[Haole Girl]

17. Wow, thanks! That is such a nice compliment!

:-D

[Haole Girl]

5. kick

..for the afternoon crowd... and to remind myself to be strong.

[malta blue]

9. ...

:hug: :hug:

[Haole Girl]

11. Thanks

:hug: :hug:

[applegrove]

8. Saw the movie. What a terrible disease it was.

[Haole Girl]

10. There was a movie?

What was the title?

[applegrove]

12. I think Molokai. Rented it at the video store. Came out less than a

decade ago.

[Haole Girl]

14. I'll keep an eye out for it

Thanks! :hi:

[wildhorses]

13. that looks like a good book to read and those pix are beautiful

i am bkmrkng this thread, thanks :hi:

[Haole Girl]

15. Thank you, WH!

:hi: