That's MY stall, I motion to the would-be usurper. He shakes his head: "No." We argue briefly before the guy gives up and drives away. I won! I won!
Or did I? On an island where you can get shot to death for giving somebody the "stink eye" on H-2 Freeway, why risk bodily injury or worse over a silly rectangle of asphalt?
What I needed was an opportunity to decompress in this crazy, fast-paced society. Thank goodness, on Monday afternoon, Japanese interpreter Elizabeth Keith invited me and 15 other women to a traditional tea ceremony at her Manoa Valley home.
What a welcome respite. Chado or the "way of tea" is still practiced in frenetic-paced Japan and it isn't surprising why. When Watanabe Sensei of Tokyo whipped up the green-powdered drink for each member of our group - and taught each guest how to properly accept and enjoy it - the encounter was educational, ethnic and ethereal.
The ritual was perfected back in the 1500s by Sen Rikyu, an influential artist, tea master and disciple of Buddhism who lived in feudal Japan. He introduced the four principles of Chado, which are still revered to this day:
Wa or harmony - between people, with the season and nature, within the tea environment, within one's self.
Kei or respect - for the artistry of the bowls, for the other participants and for the host who so lovingly and carefully sets up the experience.
Sei or purity - of the utensils, of the room and of the other people present.
Jyaku or tranquility - within one's soul.
Sen Rikyu helped to evolve the once-for-aristocrats-only rite into a ceremony for all Japanese people. "His tea house was characterized by a small low entrance, where even samurai had to leave their swords and bow to enter," Elizabeth explained. "Everyone stooped to come in, from the most powerful shogun to the commoner. It was a symbolic act to show that all earthly ranks, wealth and influence were of no consequence in the world of tea."
A traditional ceremony can take as long as three hours, but Watanabe Sensei compressed it into a mini lesson of 20 minutes.
We learned how to accept the cup with both hands and to turn it just so before taking a sip; to appreciate not only the taste of the drink but our tea-mates and surroundings; to be polite to those seated next to us, to the host and to the honored tea master. But mostly, we reveled in the serenity.
Soshitsu Sen, a direct descendant of Sen Rikyu, firmly believes that if enemies could abandon their ambitions and come together over a humble cup of tea, it would eventually lead to world peace.
Let's start with Oahu. Every Wednesday and Friday (except holidays), the Urasenke Foundation of Hawaii puts on a Chado public demonstration at 245 Saratoga Road. For a nominal $2 donation, one can partake of tea and special sweets, watch an informative video and bask in the aura of an authentic tea room.
What a delightful way to relax and learn something about the Japanese culture.
Look at me. I was once a territorial fool always on the prowl for parking. Now I'm so mellow that finding a parking stall is almost unimportant to me. Almost.