It was like any other day. I remember it so clearly. I was in seventh grade, living in a "middleclass" family. I always envied what the other girls at my school were able to afford. Since I was in third grade I had been doing chores regularily, cooking my own food, doing my own laundry, and I most certainly did nto get an allowance for doing the dishes. I would sit calm and quietly in my desk near the corner envisioning my dreams of a successful future, gawking over celebrity mansions and reluctantly accepting my position in the world. Afterall, I was only a kid, how was I to ever afford such incredible things as they?
These thoughts were shortly answered when my parents decided to take a family vacation to Hawaii. It was a dream come true! Hardly any of the other kids at my school had ever even got out of our state, let alone travel all the way to Hawaii! I was completely and utterly shocked at this recent twist of events. It was one of the best weeks of my entire life.
After weeks of anticipation and longing we finally boarded one of the planes headed to the island. Unfortunately, due to the time difference, Our ammount of daylight had been extended by nearly four hours! Needless to say, when we finally did arrive to the island, after taking to more airplanes, we were exhausted. This did not matter so much to me at that particular moment, however, for I was lost in my own anticipation and excitement.
The baggage claim resembled more of a hut than a technological belted block of cement. There were no doors or windows, merely poles holding the huge rafters abroad. The sun was shining bright and crisp as we walked out of the welcoming hut with our baggage. A few moments later, my father arrived with the rental car. I was very shocked. In my mind I had been building up suspense for weeks, thinking of lush green rainforests and sunset beaches, but this was not anything like that! In fact, it was the complete opposite!Volcanic rock outlines every road side as we twisted and turn up the mountain top.
At last, we arrived at our resort and I was grateful to see the lush greeen plants I had so clearly imagined. Over the next few weeks we learned many things. Taking a volcanic rock from the island was considered bad luck, for if done, you would have endless bad luck. This derived from the stories of the Volcanoe goddess. We soon learned how to make our own Hawaiian breakfast and how to do the hula, but this hardly compared to my own lifeexperiences on our trip. I was snorkeling on day at the White Sands Beach when a sudden powerful wave crashed into me, sending my gogglez and other rented gear floating out to sea. I was so greatful when a local returned it to me. Never turn your back on the sea, it is much more powerful than it looks.The rainforests and gardens in Hawaii are absolutely beautiful. You can watch such wonderful things on the television, but nothing can ever compare to a real life experience, hearing the waterfall in person, and holding the exotic flower in your own palm. Hawaii is truly, the land of paradise.
