People told me that I would get "Island Fever." I went to the doctor the other day and guess what? Nope, not sick of Hawaii yet.Instead of always wishing for something better, I think we need to focus of enjoying the place we find ourselves, you know? I know that's rich coming from me (I just bought a new computer, don't you know), but I have met a couple people here who at least claim to be miserable in Hawaii.
Reasons have ranged from "I can't live without Sonic Happy Hour" to "not enough places to dirt bike" or "I prefer seasons."
And I can see how these minor inconveniences can end up ruining a nice place. Cape Town is a beautiful place with wonderful people, but being in America spoiled me with regard to access to consumer goods and passable customer service. Cape Town is not a place to:
a) find the thing you need
b) get treated like a customer
That said, I always have a wonderful time in Cape Town. Why? Because it's beautiful and there are people I like to see and things I like to do that are unique to that place.
Last time I stayed in Cape Town I was a bit depressed. You see, my intention was to get an English post grad (something I wasn't 100% sure on) before I would feel I could honestly propose to Kristina. This put a dark cloud over my stay and I ended up selling my computer (this is a hard thing for Carl to do) to buy a ticket back to Arkansas. So, I kind of got "Island Fever" that time, but did I return? Sure did! Kristina came back with me in 2006 and we will go again someday.
But will we revisit Little Rock? I joke that I am glad to be out of Little Rock, and I guess I am, but I do miss the friends I made and the places I went. Little Rock is NOT objectively beautiful, but I found things there that were gorgeous. Many things were hidden in plain site. In short, instead of constantly hating my location, I tried to make the best of Little Rock.
That brings me back to grumpy Army folks who hate Hawaii. What's the deal? This place is objectively beautiful. Most of you have your wife or husband with you. Don't tell me you ran out of things to do! I didn't run out of things to do in Little Rock. How the hell could you have run out of things to do in Hawaii? You are allowed to swim more than once, you know?
When it comes down to it, I think these people would be miserable no matter where they lived. That's sad. Why be miserable when the Army is paying you to live in a place that other people choose as a vacation spot? Is it false humility and posturing? Are you trying to play the "Oh Hawaii? I'm SO over Hawaii" game? My Happy-Time Style defeats your Oneupmanship Style.
Of course, ff the problem is that nature and culture truly don't interest you then I guess there's nothing I can do but ask, "Hey, can I have your brand-new-only-used-once kayak when you leave?"
