Flower power

It is true! Everyone does wear flowers in Hawaii!

Even though I was not greeted with a flower lei at the airport (which I secretly wished for) you see flowers everywhere. On clothes, in women's hair - and the real deal of course.

The official state flower is the yellow hibiscus (hibiscus brackenridgei), also known as the pua aloalo. Each Hawaiian island also has its own designated official flower.

The lei custom was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian voyagers. Leis were constructed of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, feathers, and even bone and teeth of various animals. In Hawaiian tradition, these garlands were worn by ancient Hawaiians to beautify themselves and distinguish themselves from others. With the advent of tourism in the islands, the lei quickly became the symbol of Hawaii.

Of course I got some traditional clothes and was wearing a flower in my hair. Who does not like dressing up!

Fun fact: Aloha shirts manufactured for local wear are considered formal wear in business and government, and thus are regarded as equivalent to a shirt, coat, and tie in all but the most formal of settings

The Aloha State

A childhood dream came true when I finally had the possibility to visit Hawaii (Hawaiʻi in Hawaiian) last week. The mythical paradise islands in the Pacific ocean have fascinated me as long as I can remember.

Maybe it all started after having read "Pam's Paradise Ranch: A story of Hawaii" (1940) by Armine von Tempski, a novel that addressed two of my biggest interests at the time: horses and palm trees.

Yeah, I was about ten years old.

Hawaii is the 50th and most recent (1959) of the United States of America. The state compromises hundreds of island but the eight main ones are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu (home of the capital Honolulu), Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui and the Island of Hawaiʻi. The culture has Asian and North American influences as well as native Hawaiian.

Hawaii and Oahu (the island we visited) did not disappoint me. It really was a paradise island! A tropical climate, azure blue water, great food, a beautiful and dramatic landscape with beaches, rainforests and volcanoes paired with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

I am definitely going back!

The Centennial State

So my year in San Francisco kicks off with a short trip to Broomfield, Colorado, next to the Rocky Mountains.

The mountains are high, the prairie seems to be endless and I suddenly get the urge to buy Navajo jewellery and watch Dance with wolves. It is fantastic to see another, more rural, part of USA and I am enjoying every bit of it.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:E Flatiron Cir,Broomfield,Amerikas förenta stater

Finally here!

It all started one late night in November 2013.

My then boyfriend, now husband, called me asking me if I wanted to move with him to San Francisco during the upcoming year.

I said yes without the slightest hesitation.

Since my years living in Spain I had longed for the adventure of going abroad once again, although I did not want to do it on my own. This amazing opportunity offered to me was exactly what I had wished for!

And now, here I am, in a coffee shop in Inner Sunset ready to take on my year in San Francisco.

Location:Lincoln Way,San Francisco,Amerikas förenta stater