This is what greeted us only two short blocks from our tacky-tastic hotel this morning. Round 8 a.m. I'd live in a box to see this daily, and apparently, some of the guys we encountered on the way here agree; crossed a crackpot with no teeth and a major speech impediment who was clearly cracked-out, and his friend, the evangelist, was definitely talking to god. Or one of them at any rate.

It rains randomly here, and with the sun out. In fact, I observed this morning that it was, quite literally, raining on one side of the street and not the other.

Yesterday was long, though; the flight from Portland to San Francisco was delayed (in air) for fog and the air system was broken - so it was hot and sticky and way too close for too long. Then we had to rush to catch the Honolulu flight, and it was right back on. Guh. Thankfully, though, there were only two seats (rather than three) so at least only J-mo and I had to be crammed together for nearly six hours. And the movie was True Grit and I've been wanting to see that (liked it). by about hour 5, though, there was nothing I could do but try to talk myself out of a panic attack from being in an air-limited tube for too long. Finally got here, though, and met up with Kriss, who got us a cab and to our hotel.

We eventually walked over to the beach and put our feet in the water - so many stars, even here in the city - and stumbled back to go to bed. I slept like the dead. No air conditioning but the breeze at night is pretty nice. Our room is so small that two is a crowd, but we have a kitchen, and the place is so WWII - it's even salmon pink on the outside. Everyone staying here is ancient, and when I asked if they had Wi-Fi (fully expecting a "no") the lady at the counter with no teeth said apologetically, "we do, dear, but you have to use it in the lobby." Like that's a problem? How cute of her. I went shopping at the international outdoor market, which is super fun and full of cheap tacky crap for tourists, which for some reason makes my heart smile, no matter where I am. I think the purchase of an actual coconut purse is in my immediate future. I had a rather enjoyable haggling session with an extremely tiny Asian woman there, and I adore her - she was a tough customer, but ultimately all but gave us the stuff we wanted. I got my niece a rockin' ukelele (in pink no less, and it's tuned), and I have decided that my nephew desperately needs an "aloha" suit - which is a Hawaiian shirt with matching shorts. This must, and shall, happen.

It's strange to be in a place where the windows don't close and most of the businesses are more or less outdoors all the time. Had crepes for breakfast and some great coffee, but I think I might be getting sick. Swollen glands and a distinct lack of energy. Gonna lay low today.

Grocery store: Spam sushi (no kidding) and fish heads on special (today only). Found it amusing. Gonna go eat a sandwich now.