An Update From Hawaii!

Hello everyone!

*Note: If you are interested in the newst pics and don't have time to read this post, I've posted 3 new sets of pics below! :)

I hope you are all well, and things are going GREAT! Well, we've been in Hawaii almost 2 months now and it's starting to feel like home. First, I'd like to say that after going through the posts, I've realized how many typos I make... sheesh! I will make sure to spell-check and proof my own writing before I hit "publish post".

I wanted to take the time to write a little something to you all, as I've got a lot to say but sometimes it isn't so easy in writing. Anyhow, this is what I came up with for this post:

There are definitely some differences living here, and I thought I would share some of them with you:

1. Here, they call garbage "rubbish"

2. Here, most everyone takes their own rubbish to the transfer station (the dump). There are 2 located in our vicinity, the closest one is a simple station but the other one even has a thrift store in it! I never thought I'd like a dump so much, LOL :) Last time we were there, a wild pig showed up looking for food. There are also usually chickens and roosters found roaming around, along with feral cats. It's an experience to say the least..

3. On the big island, most people catch their own rain water in tanks. The water is then filtered and pumped through the house, but a couple of things can cause problems when it comes to working properly. First of all, if it doesn't rain you don't get water. In cases like these, you can order 5,000 gallons of water for $100 or you can deal with it. However it rains over 100" a year here so we've had plenty of water besides the first couple weeks we were here. Also, we have to get drinking water for the dog from the local county water spickets (a place people go to get water for you name it...) and we get our own drinking water from the reverse osmosis machines in front of the local stores here.

4. Things are quite here. There's about 50,000 people that live in our district (Puna district) and our district alone is bigger than Oahu, where over 900,000 people reside. For example, there are 4 police officers that are on the Puna district payroll and the land is still so undeveloped that you never forget you live in the jungle.

5. Our county bus is free, but the bus stops are pretty much non existent. You make your way to the main road (hwy 130) and wait to see it come by. Simply hold your hand up, and you've got a free ride to Hilo or even Kona on the other side of the island man!

6. People talk different here. If they've been here for many years or more, there is an accent to be heard. Pidgeon isn't spoken as much in public as I thought it would be, however the talk is different. For example, people say "shoots" as a form of goodbye. Also, Hawaiian words are definitely used in everyday life here, by everyone that is kama' aina (a resident) no matter their ethnicity. Almost all of the roads are named in Hawaiian, making it a requirement to learn the rules of the Hawaiian language. We're still Malihini (newcomers) so we've got some time to get it down :P

There are many more differences, none of which we have found to be "bad". Even though some of the changes we're experiencing here are very different than what we're used to, they're easy to get comfortable with and I'm thankful for that:) I can definitely see why some people find this is not the place for them!

But the truth is if you are a person who appreciates nature and all of the aspects surrounding it, this place definitely stands up to its reputation of being paradise. I can't think of another place where you can really sit back and realize what's really important in life. It sure makes for some happy days:)

The people here so far are great, open, friendly and honest people and none of us have experienced anything but welcomes (aside from the staff at the schools...ugh!).

Anyway, I've blabbed long enough... thanks for reading if you made it this far! Love you all, take care and I'll post again soon.

Aloha,

Rachael

P.S. Ben and Ron say hi and they love and miss you all too!