Dear Diary

10/16/06 - 4:00 pm Hawaii time - Somewhere over the pacific ocean

I got the back seat. The one across from the bathroom that doesn't recline... That's the only thing I can complain about, though... On both flights I ended up with a window seat on the right side behind the wing (my favorite spot), each time with the seat next to me empty. This time it was empty because Aisle Seat Guy's wife decided not to take this flight, and instead of telling the gate person they could let one more person on (they had announced they were oversold for this flight) he decided to keep quiet and try to get an empty seat next to him. I honestly dont't think it has even occurred to him that someone had to miss their flight and is sitting in a hotel room right now because of it. People can be so bad at life.

Anyway, I'm enjoying Hour Three of sunset over the ocean. The timing of the flight means we're now following the sun westward around the globe; I'll be chasing dusk to Honolulu and it looks like we'll make it there at the same time.

I've already experienced a few personal firsts: first time seeing California, first time seeing L.A. (it passed under us on our right side, and I took a picture of a tiny white structure on a hill that could only have been the Hollywood sign), and my first encounter with the Pacific Ocean. The way the mountains over New Mexico reflected the light from the setting sun, they looked like gold... I got the sudden urge to check the date on my watch as I looked down over them, thinking about my spontaneous decision to move to Hawaii on the randomly chosen date of October 18th and wondering how I would feel when it actually happened. "18", said my watch. I looked out the window again and my biggest emotion was, Wow, I can't believe I actually convinced myself to go through with it.

But that was an hour or two ago, and the haze of Los Angeles has given way to a flat layer of cottony clouds floating far below over the dull blue of the Pacific. The sunset is beginning to fade but I'll enjoy it as long as I can, as I continue on my slow-motion journey across the sea.

5:50 pm

The sun has finally set... but it's not even 6 yet in Hawaii. Does that make sense? Hawaii doesn't do daylight savings time, so does it just get dark really early? I guess I'll find out tomorrow evening.

The plane will land at 8:30, and when I get there I'll need to figure out the taxi situation. I won't be sleeping in a box (or on the beach) tonight; I've picked out a place from the people who responded about temporary housing on Craigslist. I have arranged to stay with a lady in Pearl City for 7 days at $30 a night (Google map). The place is furnished, near a bus line, but no wireless internet and I haven't even seen a picture of it. I chose it over my other options (Honolulu, Waikiki, Hawaii Kai) because those places are just too far away from work by bus. I'm going to look into renting a car for a few days, though, so I'll have the freedom to explore the island, look at houses, and buy anything I'll need. Either way I'll be showing up at this lady's house tonight with $210 cash and hope it checks out alright... if for some reason it doesn't, I'll say "thanks but I can't" and start calling backup plans. I just wish I had some daylight to work with... the nighttime compunds my lack of familiarity with my surroundings. I'm starting to get that feeling, a lot like when I traveled through Bolivia by myself. Kind of a feeling of "All I can rely on to survive now is my money, my wits, and luck." I'm going to pack my money belt now.

8:25 pm

"And on behalf of ATA Airlines, welcome to Honolulu. And if you're fortunate enough to have Honolulu as home, welcome home." I'm not sure which one of those should be directed at me, so I'll just accept them both.

11:10 pm

I'm really friggin hungry... I haven't eaten since like 3 or 4. And it's humid as fuckin' hell here! But I'm here and I made it and all my stuff made it. I'm going to bed.