Last Supper

Last Supper was Originally Posted on August 14, 2003 by lavarock

Last night I decided to treat myself to a steak. For most, that is not a momentous occasion, but for me, last night, is was to be.

I have taken most of the pots, pans, dishes, glasses and silverwear out of the cupboards and gotten them ready for sale. I have also been eating Chinese food so much lately that they are giving me that look. You kow the look, like when you order something and walk away from the counter, then come back 5 minutes later for something you forgot? THAT LOOK, except that it is two days later and they are thinking I’m nuts!

On my way out to dinner I stopped by the neighbors to drop a book called “So You Want To Move To Hawaii”. They had mentioned the possibility and I had the book. I hadn’t expected to stop for long, but they invited me in for a minute and it turned out that we talked for at least half an hour. As I finally got in the car, I saw it was just after 9pm and wondered the whole time heading towards Ryan’s, if they would be open.

The sign says they close at 9:30 so I slipped in and ordered a steak and the salad bar. I figured I could get a couple trips to the salad bar in and not have to eat for a few days

There were few of us there and I sat next to a family and close to the food. The husband was wearing a jacket and emblazoned on the back was the name of my old company. It tuns out I used to work with him and his wife and that he has recently heard that his job *may* be going away. The company has been drastically downsizing and changing their business focus.

I mentioned my upcoming move and talked more than they wanted to hear about the islands. I get so carried away and can’t stop. All the caffeine I had didn’t help either

So much for my dinner. I talked so much I just barely finished my steak and my one trip to the salad bar.

I have to admit, by the prices I have seen, land can be inexpensive on the Big Island. I have seen 1 acre lots with a view of the Pacific for $1,000 to $2,000. There ARE some drawbacks to some of the lots, but there can be some bargains out there. There are also some house deals and deals on farms.

For someone who has to (or wants to) start over, and for someone tired of the rat race in a large city, paradise *might* be an option. Two miles from me are dolphin. I have farms all around me. There is a definate lack of hustle and bustle. One person I know who just moved there from Boston is talking about how she has to get used to people stopping in the middle of the road to change drivers or “talk story” with someone walking by. People wave you into traffic in front of them and rarely, very rarely, do you ever hear a car horn. People in Hawaii don’t use that blaring noise when an “Aloha” or “Howzit brudda” will do. The “shaka” is seen often. Shaka is when you make a fist and hold your thumb and pinky extended and move your hand horizontally. It means “take it easy” or “everyting all right brudda”.

My mission is not necessarily to get everyone I meet to move to Hawaii, but at least let them know that many of the things they have been told are not correct. You CAN buy land in Hawaii, although part of the United States it is also a world apart, and you do NOT have to pay alot to visit or live there. People go on a vacation, pay too much and eat out every night at a restaurant. Of course eating out can be expensive, but most locals don’t go to the best steak house in town every night. Most locals don’t pay to get on a boat and see dolphins, they go out on their neighbors boat. Most locals don’t go shopping at the little trendy stores along the waterfront, they buy their swimsuits at Wal-Mart or COSTCO.

See? Life IS different in Hawaii