Waikiki Aloha

I am now 2600 miles from home; 5000 miles from Sydney, Australia and 3600 miles from Tokyo.

According to the Let's Go Hawaii book, I am now in the most isolated island chain in the world and the most ethnically diverse state in the nation (with no single race holding a majority).

Aloha all from Waikiki. (let's see if I remember how to write as its been such a long time)

I arrived from the mainland late Monday night. Posting will be infrequent unless I can arrange for some sort of laptop with Wi-Fi....preferably for Christmas. I also need to arrange for a digital camera so I can share photos (yes h*ll has frozen over, I now have a cell phone, I want to get a laptop and a digital camera.....next you know I'll be listening to .mp3's).

Upon arrival in Honolulu, I realized I have landed in corporate America. The shops in the city remind me of suburban Portland except in an urban setting. From what I hear, the entire state has a population of Portland proper.

I've got an apartment with a 6 month lease just outside the Waikiki area of Honolulu. I'm just down the street from the Hilton Hawaiian village (or as it seems, the Haole village).

My local grocery store is called Foodland; its in the Ala Moana Shopping mall. I think its funny for a grocery store to be in a shopping mall. There is only one mainland bank here....its the vile hated Citibank. Guess either First Hawaiian or Bank of Hawaii for me. If you order a McDonald's meal here, it comes with a pineapple side dish/dessert.

I've been busy at work since I've arrived. Big project for the University of Hawaii. Very exciting.

Last night I was gonna explore the hotels for nightlife, but was put on hold by the fact it rained last night and I was tired.

Today I'm exploring a bit, walking down Waikiki toward the direction of Diamondhead Point, we'll see how far I make it; or if I run out of town first. The sun is out, it feels cool outside (but is warm....strange, must be adjusting to the temperature). Tonight, I'll have to do some soaking in the Apartment complex's pool.

Christian, I walked to the beach today.....estimated time of travel from the apartment to Waikiki beach is 5 minutes. Julie/Dave, way to go picking Fiji; I just walked through the Outrigger Waikiki, no aloha's or nothing....so Bula all. Christa/Drew, no suntan lotion yet; I'll probably end up getting burned....