Though my love-hate relationship with my blog continues to cause some mild distress, I can now rejoice in telling you of my new-found love for Hawai'i. Yes! I love this place! So it wasn't love at first sight, Costa Rican style, but maybe that's a good thing. Maybe this is real love, the kind that builds so slowly and subtlely that you don't even realize that you've fallen in love. Heavenly, like the sweet nonsense flowing from my fingertips. Seriously though, things are great. I think the problem I initially had was a general resistance to all things American. I wanted foreign. I wanted to frolic in my exotic uniqueness again, struggle as an outsider to find my way in, adapt to a wildly different culture. Unfortunately, that may just be an impossibility here in the US (though perhaps more domestic travel could prove otherwise).
Once I began to accept Hawai'i, and its heaps of whities, as America, it's uniqueness started to present itself. The nuances and subtleties of Hawai'ian culture worked their magic and I became one with the aloha spirit. This is one special place. Beautiful tropical weather, a laid back friendly (aloha) vibe, loads of natural beauty, exotic fruits, all here in the good ol' US of A. Who knew? ;-)
Comparing Hawai'i to Costa Rica was also kind of silly. My experience is so different here, in some ways better (better accommodations, cleaner roommate, safer, less fear of spiders crawling on me at night). The point, though, is that I've finally moved on from the pura vida and can now embrace the aloha. They are not to be compared but each appreciated as a separate unique paradise.
It's just so relaxing here. I spend the weekends at the beach. Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, hike. I eat avocado every day. Drink Kona coffee every morning overlooking the ocean. Drink tea every night. I have lots of fun with my roommate. Oh, and I just got a care package from my mom, full of little treats (incredible!!!!!). I just feel lucky today and, after all, really glad I came here.
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