01-10-2010, 02:37 PM
Islandleaving,
I'll post my original response here again. I don't think it's mean spitited or even critical, and it addresses most of your concerns and questions.
Maybe you missed it earlier.
___________________________________________________________________
I grew up all over the country. My dad was in medical equipment sales with GE and kept getting new territory.
The first major move I was deeply affected by was from SoCal to Milwaukee when I was starting high school. I had my first surfboard and girlfriend. What I realized with that move was that kids have fun wherever they are. I had a blast in Wisconsin. Two years later, Charlotte. Had a blast! Denver, Brookfield, Boone, Vietnam (blast was literal), New Orleans, San Pedro, DC, San Luis Obispo, Tallahassee, Avalon; Had a blast.
All of these places had the bad along with the good; But none of them had Left Point, Drainpipes, Second Bay, Bowls, Makalawena, or 69's. None of them had 80 degree water.
I've been here twenty three years and have a goal of getting in the water at least twice a week. I'm not going anywhere. I've never had a bad experience with racism, but didn't on the mainland either. Sure things have changed, but the rest of the world isn't as pristine as it once was either.
I really wish you the best, but I'm not confident that you're going to be any happier anywhere else. Only you can determine the quality of life you enjoy.
Stoneface
I'll post my original response here again. I don't think it's mean spitited or even critical, and it addresses most of your concerns and questions.
Maybe you missed it earlier.
___________________________________________________________________
I grew up all over the country. My dad was in medical equipment sales with GE and kept getting new territory.
The first major move I was deeply affected by was from SoCal to Milwaukee when I was starting high school. I had my first surfboard and girlfriend. What I realized with that move was that kids have fun wherever they are. I had a blast in Wisconsin. Two years later, Charlotte. Had a blast! Denver, Brookfield, Boone, Vietnam (blast was literal), New Orleans, San Pedro, DC, San Luis Obispo, Tallahassee, Avalon; Had a blast.
All of these places had the bad along with the good; But none of them had Left Point, Drainpipes, Second Bay, Bowls, Makalawena, or 69's. None of them had 80 degree water.
I've been here twenty three years and have a goal of getting in the water at least twice a week. I'm not going anywhere. I've never had a bad experience with racism, but didn't on the mainland either. Sure things have changed, but the rest of the world isn't as pristine as it once was either.
I really wish you the best, but I'm not confident that you're going to be any happier anywhere else. Only you can determine the quality of life you enjoy.
Stoneface