Day 3: Waikiki

I know a couple of people were unable to comment on these things so I took a look and I fixed it. Anyone should be able to comment now so go nuts.

Today I was abruptly awakened, probably 3 hours after falling asleep, by the fact that I remembered why my phone was not with me. I had left it next to the harbor! Yeeaa I was freaking out a bit, especially because it was raining outside and I was 20 minutes away. Luckily Landon finally gave in to drive me back with my two friends Abraham Lincoln and Abe Linc. We get there and somehow, by some Hawaiian miracle its STILL there! And it was JUST starting to sprinkle. Unbelievable how close my trip was about to hit disaster because I had numbers in there for my contacts here, among other vitally important tid bits. But it was safe and I was relieved.

It was about 8am at that point and Landon had a golf thing to go to so I just started walking around with all my stuff and decided to spend the day in Waikiki.

I started by eating some breakfast (pbj and cheetos) at this extremely nice hotel next to their two pools. At this point Im finally feeling a bit of relaxation again and starting to realize Im actually in Hawaii!

Next, a stroll down the beach was in order. It was time to take in and see what the world famous Waikiki is all about. In a nutshell, the beaches are beautiful, lots of decent small surfing waves, tons of people, tons of shopping, and lots of cancer in the making. The sun here is rediculously hot. Applying sunscreen very often is key if your not local.

I finally settle for a spot on the beach when I come across some sand volley ball courts. I just lay out a bit and ride some of the surf. After it gets around eating time I go to Burger King of all places because I was craving their burgers and they were right there. During dinner outside these birds were playing with me and eventually I was able to hand feed one mid air. I even got a sweet shot of when he grabs the food. And next thing a lady with tropical birds on a cart comes by and lets me take pictures.

I reckon at this point I should head to the buses so I can make my way to where Im going to camp on Makapu'u Point. But when I get there I find out I just missed the last bus about 15 minutes ago! So I go to sit on a bench and try to figure out what Im going to do because its much too far to walk there, and Im in the middle of the city. I have NO idea what Im going to do because a hotel is out of the question and my other options had already been used. Well Im thinking about going to the closest hostel and then the biggest surprise of my trip decides to introduce itself.

A lady is trying to shove a walmart bag of trash into the small opening of the trash can in front of my bench. I glance up and she see does too. She kind of chuckles and tells me its not her trash. I make a joke, she laughs and then says that she picked it all up because she hates litterers. I say I cant stand them either and thats about the time it happens. She looks at my stuff next to the bench and then back at me and asks if I have a place to stay. I say no and tell her my story about missing the bus. Then for whatever reason I may never know, she asks me if I wanted to staybat her place tonight! She told me that women have stayed at her place before but never men. So Im completely dumbfounded and say actually I dont think Id turn it down at this point. She goes well you dont have to if you dont want to but if you want to stay here Ill pick you up on my way back (not by car, by walking by). I tell her Ill be here waiting.

Ok pause. A complete total stranger just randomly asks me off the streets if I want to stay at her place. Im a little weirded out and of course dont trust that this is legit but somehow think it would be sweet if it somehow worked out.

Sure enough about 30 minutes later she comes up behind me and asks if Im ready. I grab my stuff and we take off. She had told me her place was off the same street just a block or two away. We get to these small gated appartment places, go in, and she shows me around the one room apt. Yea these things are TINY and super expensive. Like $1200/mo! So I figure Ive had enough done for the day and just would like to relax in one place.

Next thing I know we are listening to Christmas carols off a VHS lol. Complete and utter randomness has taken over my life now. And I was enjoying ever second of it because it was just great. Later she put on an oold war movie about Audrey Murphy. I know some of yall might know that guy but Id never heard about him. for whatever reason I may never know,Apparently an old war hero. Anyway I just blog during the whole movie so I wouldnt fall behind.

I end up on an air matress rather than the hard marble floor and lay there in total shock and contentment that I had just gotten picked up off the streets and had a place to crash for a night rather than sleep on the streets somewhere with flea infested bums. Those people are everywhere around the city too.

So that pretty much concludes today. Oh and how old is the lady you ask? Haha thats the best part by far. Just dont freak out. Rather accept that life is full of surprises and the absolute best things mostly happen when you arent looking for them. With that said, her 90th birthday is this year!!! And her name is Jean Register, probably the collest and nicest old person Ive ever met.

So dont worry about me Mom and family, for I have found my Hawaiian Granny. And she is taking great care of me so far. And Im not on the streets!

Wow what an ending to a day...