Settling In

So I have found a place to live. It is in the same block as the hostel I have been staying at. When it had been offered to me initially I wasn't interested because it was dark. But after looking at a place about a twenty minute walk away from downtown Hilo, I decided to take it. It seems that I love downtown Hilo. When I take a long walk then start heading back, I feel overjoyed and relieved as I get closer to home.

Hilo has been described as a working class city. Perhaps that is one of the reasons I feel comfortable here. The downtown area of Hilo reminds me alot of Charles Village where I have lived twice for several years each time. Like Charles Village practically everything I need is within walking distance. The library and post office are about five minutes away. There are two grocery stores that are about ten minutes away. Two movie theaters - The Palace - a restored one screen theater that shows non-commercial films, and Kress which is a four screen dollar theater. There is a farmer's market, coffee shops, and restaurants all within walking distance.

There are some consignment shops and a Salvation Army "The Sammy Shop" but that is the one area where Hilo is lacking. Their second hand stores are small which is to be expected - there are a lot less people here. And the stuff is not exciting.

Yes, I'll definitely miss thrift shopping. Hilo cannot compare to Baltimore in that area. The shops in Baltimore would lure me in "stop in here, I have that thing you need!" And they never let me down. My favorite stores were Value Village on York Road, Vogue Revisited on Roland Avenue and the thrift store on North Avenue.

Oh well, I am in a small space and don't really need to be filling it up with stuff anyway!