Feb 5th 2011 - Arrivals!!! E komo Mai - Welcome to Hawaii!!!

Aloha World!!!

Picture this: it's 4 in the morning, you're up but you're not even sure whether you're awake or just sleepwalking, and 10 hours later you're (still not completely awake) looking out of a tiny airplane window to see this small, magical island.

In the middle of a perfect green-blue ocean, with a beautiful blue sky dotted with small white clouds creating little shadow-shapes in the water. You feel the sun on your face and realize, you are about to enter paradise.

As the airplane begins to descend, you see the landscape grow, depth creates mountains on the lisland and the outlines of palmtrees become real. Then, as you exit the airplane, the hot air hits you. A comfortable breeze goes through your hair and you realize: you're wearing a sweatshirt, sweatpants and boots.

True story. You find the restrooms and change into something somewhat more Hawaii-appropriate. The girls from Belo USA are waiting for you in red Hawaiian dresses, and after some other kids arrive you get in a bus and are on your way to the hotel. As the bus is driving through the city you can't help but noticing how unreal this really is. Here you are, with your mind still in Oregon, but when you look outside you see that one picture that every travel-brochure advertises as the perfect tropical island.

Can you picture it? We can. Better yet, We did. Because guess what, We are in Hawaii!

Romee Kruyt- The Netherlands