Melissa,
I have found that the people there were quite generous and willing to help and share their friendship with you.

Ewa Beach is quite a ride from Honolulu, many Navy families lives there.

aloha kismetchimera-

I live in Aiea - which I used to think was the end of the earth from downtown. With all the housing developments steadily moving west, I have learned to appreciate my relatively short 45 minute commute home every day.

Melissa - my response would also be "Ewa Beach!!!" - but probably because of the thought of how long the commute is.

chepar--you're correct on that one, too. Our office is on King & Keeaumoku, so that's a pretty long trek! For me, I'm totally a townie....I actually live in the King/Keeaumoku area so i could just walk to work.

If you are spending anytime in the Greek Islands, we have a suggestion. In Samos, one of the Islands , take the ferry across to Kusadasi, Turkey. The ferry takes approx. 1.5 hours to cross and there are no passport problems. We stayed at the Kismet Hotel which overlooks the city and harbor.Absolutely fabulous. And we know the coming home blahs. But we are getting our fix this November with a week in Paris. Can you recommend a good hotel at a reasonable price???

UCSUN - I hope by now you are feeling better. I've been back since May 22nd and I'm still experiencing the blues, but not as much.

There are so many places I haven't seen and want to. Yet, I want to return to London and Paris and it saddens me that I may never make it back there again. I started traveling later in life and that is my regret not starting sooner and like another poster if I won the lottery I would quit my job and travel.

I always tell my kids that the best part about going on vacation is coming home. I love the feeling of coming home relaxed and stimulated from a great holiday, soaking in my big bath tub and climbing into my fat American bed. I start to miss bit and pieces of the places we have been after I get over the jet lag. "There is no place like home" and no better way to earn a renewed appreciation for it then coming home after a month in a foreign country. IMO

I tend to agree with Calimari. I have to remind myself that although I live in a tiny midwest town, tourists from Europe and Japan and South America walk past my home in Hannibal, MO on the Mississippi River to get in touch with Mark Twain. I try to see my view of the River from my bedroom with fresh perspective after I've been abroad. The grass is always greener on the other side, especially when on vacation and you have left the pressures of the work-a-day world behind. But I'm sure tourists come to Socal and envy your proximity to the ocean, etc. And knowing there is a next trip in the year ahead is always great consolation.

I often spent time with my photos or journal. I have also learned to incorporate a little of the culture into my life. We will have Irish style bacon or I will make an espresso at the end of the evening. I live in New England and I have always loved it here we are definitely a subculture of America. When I come home and get the blues I take in my local beauty. I have learned to appreciate my surroundings I guess.

....know what you mean, its like coming down from a great high (back in the OLD days!!!) I bought a stupid little metal Eiffel Tower while in Paris in April, and its on my key chain...whenever I grab those keys I think of those memories from Paris and it does help (a little!) I miss it so much I just booked another ticket back there in December!