Starting my day at 5:30 A.M. San Francisco time, I was scooped up in a van and on my way to the airport. Mind you, I didn't fly out of Oakland until about 9, and so had plenty of time to waste. Or sit around probably looking like the walking dead. When I finally boarded my flight to Honolulu, I was pleased to be sitting next to a very chill couple from Cali. We chatted, we chuckled, we thanked our lucky stars that there were no screaming children near us. Even sleeping sitting straight up for five hours didn't dampen my spirits. The Honolulu airport is amazing. I took off my shoes and walked around the gardens inside until my next flight to the Big Island. Slept like a baby until we landed. Couldn't erase my perma-grin. I had arranged for a ride from the airport to the hostel, with a stop for groceries (and a much-needed icy cold beer) on the way. was pleasantly surprised when two very attractive women were the ones to fetch me (and my heart?). I digress.
I have since unpacked a few of my things, toured the property, chugged a beer in the jungle, and acquainted myself with all of the residents of the hostel by spending the evening with them in the common area. There are about seven people living here, and all of them have been here for weeks, if not months. Everyone is very friendly and open. One of the guys living here is a comedic rapper, which is quite entertaining. Another was cooking the wild pig they shot on the property. Pig. Shot it with a bow and arrow. In the face. Straight out of Lord of the Flies. While we're on the subject, I already ran into a wild pig while walking to my tent in the dark, and screamed like I never have before. I made sure to laugh really loudly afterward so that my new neighbors would know I was okay. Or maybe to let myself know I was ok, but DAMN that thing was big, and I wasn't ready for it. I look forward to being made fun of tomorrow for the scream.
So. Aside from the pig, this place is incredible. The shower is solar heated, and it's conveniently located outside in the freaking rainforest. To die for. The toilet is the same way. They've rigged up a bidet, if you can call it that, to save on toilet paper cost. It's basically like the sprayer you'd find connected to a kitchen sink. No, I didn't try it on myself yet, but yes, I did spray it into the bushes and amused myself. It's freezing cold and has quite a bit of pressure behind it. Not sure if I'm ready to spray my own ass with it yet. Ha.
Now my day is done, because I'm exhausted. I'm lying in my tent listening to rain and coqui frogs all around me. The perma-grin is back.
