Down time

 I imagine that living on an island like Oahu could be comparable to a small town in the US. There really isn't much to do. This last month and the months prior, the rain has continuously fallen,lighting attacked the sky, and the water is polluted and brown from the agricultural fields surrounding us. It wouldn't be a problem if the waves were good. Yet I have not scored any good surf since the early months of the season. Instead I cruise around town on my scooter and take photos, go for hikes, watch television, day dream, and think of home.
I have never lived in a small town and I have never really had down time. I can honestly say that I feel as if I am getting island fever. Not so much that this place is unbearable, but never have I wanted to do SOMETHING so badly. If there were just waves I would surf or if I had something in common with some of these people out here I would go mingle. However I have kept to myself this winter and hung around my girlfriend and roommates mostly. The only interaction that I've had with people that live here is at work (which is left only to small talk) or with my roommates group of friends.
I miss my good friends back home and the ability to escape to Mexico or the mountains. There is no nightlife and what there is I would never consider a happening scene. Maybe I have just been spoiled in my life and I am being exposed to reality. Either way I am left to dream, talk with friends on the phone, and plan my next move in life.
Traveling is good for the spirit. It opens your eyes to who you are and what you truly strive to be. Hawaii is beautiful and I have memories that I will take with me through life. Have I taken in the true aloha spirit i came to find? I don't believe so. I don't think I have opened up enough or even given the place a chance to gain that. What I have done, is charged the waves of the North Shore and proven that I have the ability and skill to do it. So i'll take this with me and move on to my next destination with an optomistic view. I will try to be more open with strangers and I will enjoy the remainder of time that I have left here. I just hope the waves will pick up again, the rain will stop falling, and I will leave this place with a warm feeling instead of this eager hunger that wants to get home!