Falling In Love With Hawaii

People in the office today were explaining to me that they avoid Waikiki (where I'm staying) at all cost.  Hanging out in Waikiki is like me hanging out on Michigan Ave....full of tourist, commercial, and annoying.  I took the bus home and watched as people were almost arguing as to who should give up their seat for the elderly that come on at various stops.....seriously, SO different from Chicago.  Once I got home and changed I had planned to walk the beach tonight to avoid constantly hanging out in my room until I meet friends and I was struck with "I'm so lucky" moments all night long.  I watched the sunset while listening to live music.  I watched the surfers pull their boards up for the night - can you see them in the below picture?

Afterward I walked until I found where the Hawaiian music was coming from and fell upon a luau.  If my mom comes we are definitely going to check this out.

I started to head home and realized there were beautiful white flowers scattering the sidewalks - I scooped one up and wore it in my hair on the way home.  As I looked around I noticed most of  the girls had them in their hair. 

 

Anyway, I'm starting to REALLY like it here!  Don't worry mom and dad - I'm definitely coming home but am starting to realize what an experience I have ahead of me for the next several months.  I think I will only fall more in love with this place the further away I get from the commercial, touristy places but I will take what I can when I can.  For a Tuesday night after work, tonight wasn't bad.