So we got to our condo. It was tastefully decorated, with this lovely piece of art being the first thing you see on walking in:
Nothing really says "welcome to Hawaii" like a papier-mâché parrot in a faux-bamboo cage hanging from the ceiling (parrots aren't even native here. But, then again, neither are pineapples*). The kids immediately adopted it as their pet, since Mello and Snowball were back home. Craig, for reasons known only to him, named it Cassandra, and all 3 of them spoke to it frequently for the next 2 weeks. Cassandra, for her part, spent the entire time pining for the fjords.
Our bedroom had a similarly psittacine theme, with the night table lamps being equally tasteful:
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| "Say goodnight, Polly" |
I can only assume the person who decorated our condo is a bird lover (or Jimmy Buffett fan), and not the owner of a pick-up truck we walked past.
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| Chicken choking, on the other hand, IS a crime. At least in some states. |
Driving around the area we passed a nearby ABC store. For those who have never been to Hawaii, this is the universal corner store here, selling typical convenience store stuff, $5 T-shirts, and assorted tourist tchotchke. This one also had a couple gas pumps outside... But what really caught my eye was the large banner in front that said "Prime Rib Special, $11.99 Sunday and Thursday." While convenience stores are ubiquitous across North America, this is the first time I'd ever seen one advertising that.
Later in the afternoon we went to get snorkel gear for the trip, and I texted my Mom to see if she wanted to come with. She wasn't able to, as she was apparently fascinated by all the modern technological marvels found in her condo.
*Really. They aren't. They're originally from the Brazil-Paraguay border region in South America.
An ABC store is a convenience store? Here it's where we buy alcohol from the government.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best parts of my Maui trip was multiple trips to the ABC store. I bought a lot of calendars as gifts (tastefully topless women for the guys and blatantly topless, ripped guys for the girls.) Big hit!
ReplyDeleteHey, here in the real states, ABC is where we get our booze, not chawkees.
ReplyDeleteMacadamia nuts aren't native to Hawaii, either.
ReplyDeletenor are fat, white tourists, but we return year after year....
ReplyDelete"Look, man, that chicken called me a pussy in front of the whole bar. What else was I going to do?"
ReplyDeleteI sort of like the lamp. (Juju ducks and runs for cover...)
ReplyDeleteHmm. Colorful... But, the dryer with the window? My dryer does not have a window and the only ones I've seen with windows are in washaterias (I guess I've never seen the word spelled before. It does look weird--but, I really do call it a 'wash-a-ter-i-a' and noone questions me.) However, if a dryer did have a window, I might watch it to see when to insert another dime.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of snorkeling does make me rather seasick as I'm well-known for my lack of coordination i.e. breathing in water at the wrong time, and I don't like to get water in my ears or eyes. Hey, someone has to make sure there's clean and dry underwear or towels or whatever.
Did Cassandra take the trip back home w/ the Grumpy Family? I'm sure Ed would love a playmate!
ReplyDeleteNot one "It is an ex-parrot!"? :P
ReplyDelete"Pining for the fjords" made me spit wine on my keyboard. Oh, my dear and fluffy Lord….
ReplyDeleteAh, the fjords... Where all the best (and deadest) parrots come from...
ReplyDeleteThem's artisan parrots!
ReplyDelete