Culture Shock...
Hilo, Hawaii is located on the east coast of the big island, however; unlike the rest of the pacific island cities it does not have a strong tourism economy. Its primary economies come from agriculture, corn and beef.
This caught me a little by surprise, and I got to find out exactly how nicely we have things up in good old BC, Canada. My first impression was how "ghetto" everything looked, most building are quite run down and constructed primarily with concrete block. Very depressing.
I am told that this cheap quick construction methods are apparently very common in tropical areas. Also many(most) of the houses here do not have windows, but have a frosted glass louvers. While houses don't seem to be a big deal here cars sure are! Brand new 4x4s seem to be the thing here along with really expensive wheels and super aggressive off-road tires, I'm not sure if that kinda thing is required here or not?
(I will get some photos for y'all PDQ)
My apartment seems to be a little bit of a party place, not all bad, but can be pretty noisy some nights. Pot is about as prevalent and carries the same public attitudes here as in BC, seems to be pretty easy to come by although I have not tried. I don't think that anybody gets IDed here as just about anybody can buy booze. The Safeway here has a better beer and liquor selection that many of the BCLs that I have been in; That is something that will take some getting used to, seeing beer in the same isle and Capt'n Crunch?!?!
OMG I must live on the noisyest street in Hilo, constant traffic combined with super aggressive off-road tires and/or "rice" mufflers definitely makes for some noise.
Apparently good old rock does not exist here, at least with the people that I have met (maybe is an American thing) but Top-40 R&B seems to all that anybody listens to.
I have already met some super cool people, although most are leaving for the summer. Hawaii seem to operate on a weird school year, exams finished on the 16 of this month. There had been some miscommunication before my arrival, and the apartment was not quite available for me when I arrived on he 14th. I was greeted by a super nice guy and acting RA, Arkansas Jeff. Jeff has been unbelievably helpfully in integrating me into "the Palms" and Hilo life in general, it is really too bad that he will be leaving Thursday morning. A few others that I have met; Julia a German chick on an academic exchange, Lana although I cannot remember from what state, Nora and her mom from Rhode Island also on an academic exchange (Nora, not mom), Gabe a dood from SanDiego, and recently Ashley form George.
It has been nice to be able to go out and do stuff after only being here a couple of days, it is WAY too hot to sit in an apartment and watch TV.
This caught me a little by surprise, and I got to find out exactly how nicely we have things up in good old BC, Canada. My first impression was how "ghetto" everything looked, most building are quite run down and constructed primarily with concrete block. Very depressing.
I am told that this cheap quick construction methods are apparently very common in tropical areas. Also many(most) of the houses here do not have windows, but have a frosted glass louvers. While houses don't seem to be a big deal here cars sure are! Brand new 4x4s seem to be the thing here along with really expensive wheels and super aggressive off-road tires, I'm not sure if that kinda thing is required here or not?
(I will get some photos for y'all PDQ)
My apartment seems to be a little bit of a party place, not all bad, but can be pretty noisy some nights. Pot is about as prevalent and carries the same public attitudes here as in BC, seems to be pretty easy to come by although I have not tried. I don't think that anybody gets IDed here as just about anybody can buy booze. The Safeway here has a better beer and liquor selection that many of the BCLs that I have been in; That is something that will take some getting used to, seeing beer in the same isle and Capt'n Crunch?!?!
OMG I must live on the noisyest street in Hilo, constant traffic combined with super aggressive off-road tires and/or "rice" mufflers definitely makes for some noise.
Apparently good old rock does not exist here, at least with the people that I have met (maybe is an American thing) but Top-40 R&B seems to all that anybody listens to.
I have already met some super cool people, although most are leaving for the summer. Hawaii seem to operate on a weird school year, exams finished on the 16 of this month. There had been some miscommunication before my arrival, and the apartment was not quite available for me when I arrived on he 14th. I was greeted by a super nice guy and acting RA, Arkansas Jeff. Jeff has been unbelievably helpfully in integrating me into "the Palms" and Hilo life in general, it is really too bad that he will be leaving Thursday morning. A few others that I have met; Julia a German chick on an academic exchange, Lana although I cannot remember from what state, Nora and her mom from Rhode Island also on an academic exchange (Nora, not mom), Gabe a dood from SanDiego, and recently Ashley form George.
It has been nice to be able to go out and do stuff after only being here a couple of days, it is WAY too hot to sit in an apartment and watch TV.
posted by hardy. at 6:17 PM
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