aloha y'all

This is my first blog entry from Hawaii. I did a blog while traveling in Costa Rica that
a few people liked, and those same people have requested I start one here in Hawaii.

The title of this entry was inspired by my current roommate, who once said it to her coworkers that now repeat the phrase "aloha y'all" constantly.

Why Hawaii? Because I'm a US citizen and therefore legal to work. And it's beautiful.
I picked Hawaii over the US Virgin Islands because of its statehood, economy, and education. The surfing is better too.
Costa Rica was great and cheap, but sooner or later everyone runs out of money
because you can't work.
It's unlikely I will be able to have the time and effort to pour into this blog
as I did in "pura vida en costa rica". I will be much busier here with work and school.
The pace of life in Costa Rica may be the slowest anywhere.
Everyone seems to have endless amounts of free time. Time passed very slowly. Not here.
In fact, the pace of Honolulu and Waikiki seem much faster than anywhere I've ever been in Texas.
The traffic can be a nightmare and the sidewalks are packed with people.
Bars close at 4 am. There is always a party somewhere no matter the day.
Currently I'm staying at a friend's house in Palolo, neighborhood of Honolulu.
This was not the original plan but has worked out great. Originally I had planned
to live out of a hostel, so this is much better.

I paid an extra 150 to ship my bike here from Texas. After a rough start, has turned
out to be a great investment. I've traveled all over Waikiki and downtown Honolulu on the bike.
Today I rode about 5 miles to the Ala Moana bus stop to take a bus across island
to Kailua.
Kailua is a smaller town located on the windward coast. The beaches in the area are postcard perfect, the water is turquoise and the sand white.

Lanikai Beach near Kailua, where I went my second day with the four people up ahead.

 It's a nice change of pace from the hustle n bustle of Honolulu..
Still there are many restaurants and stores, plenty of houses. today I looked at a room for rent in a 5 bedroom house a block away from the beach.
4 guys and 1 girl live there now.
1 guy is moving out to return to Japan after his student visa expires.
The windward side is cooler, wetter, and cloudier than the leeward side.
The summers will still be hot and sunny most of the time.
I rode my bike around town and scoped out potential employers as well as beaches to spend time.
Later I caught the next bus into Honolulu. I got off that one and chased down the #6 on my bike to return home. Five dollars round trip. Not bad.

Today was my 5th day here. Seems much longer.
I have already met many people and have several good stories,
one includes being on a sailboat that nearly capsized off the coast of
Waikiki. I look forward to sharing those with you shortly.