Like many people, we have long been reluctant to implement our plan to return home for a lot of reasons. As wrong as we have discovered a way to travel tailored for us. At first we thought to share his house and his car to travel more economically and therefore more often. Then, we adopt the formula because it forges links with our "swingers". During this first exchange, we have discovered what really meant the Aloha spirit.

A project

We know the exchange houses. Like many people, we had heard from the press and the Internet makes us very much. First of all the economies that we would make our

For a first exchange of homes, we have chosen to share with France (we are a Quebec family with two young children). Easy decision and conservative because we know this country well, have many affinities with our French cousins and many of them want to come to Quebec.

Except that things do not happen as we wanted. After many efforts, we failed to find a French family willing to share with us during the dates of our vacation, we took in mid-June to early July. And then eureka, one morning my husband woke me to tell me he found a site exchange houses, a Hawaiian family wishing to come to Montreal for the same dates as ours. All hands to battle, we are confident that the whole city of Montreal will do as we wish, we quickly contacted by email with this family, and there was no answer for three weeks. Then finally an answer: an exchange would be possible. The weeks go by, we exchanged several emails to our questions, well spaced, because our interlocutor Hawaiian, do not often checked his mailbox.

Once dispelled all our questions, we agree we talk on the phone to finalize details of the exchange. I dreaded a little conversation, not certain to understand the Hawaiian accent even though I master English very well. As wrong as it turned out that my interlocutor had no accent at all. During this conversation, we immediately agreed that we conduct ourselves as if we were distant cousins visiting one among others. So, we exchanged all household products, washing powder, soaps, spices, coffee, etc.. The voice contact was very fluid and helped establish a climate of confidence.

A trip

Finally, we leave. After eleven hour flight, we were greeted at Honolulu by a family friend of the family with whom we exchanged, with flower necklaces (lei), which symbolize both these islands. Contact was easy. The family welcomed us along with his two son, whose age was one of our oldest son and we were escorted to the house would be ours for three weeks of vacation. A car fai

also known in the trade.

Upon our arrival at home, a large woven basket with lid filled with local products (macadamia nuts, coffee, mangoes and dried seaweed, chocolate, etc..) Waiting for us, kind attention of our guests.

This house was located on the flank of the Koolau mountain range, above the bay Kanehohe. Almost all parts overhanging the Pacific. The house was simple and comfortable. Our "Swingers" had provided toys and DVDs for children. We lived like home.

Because we were traveling with our children, who were then 5 and 2 years, we decided to limit ourselves to the island of Oahu that we completely raked. We discovered a culture very different from the mainland American culture. I would say that Hawaiians maintain this distinction with pride. I then had no preconceived ideas and we have enjoyed with delight. I found that the island had a strongly oriental look this both in the kitchen and the appearance of people and even architecture. We feasted on Korean dishes, Japanese and others, to the delight of children and our purse.

On the one hand, we Honolulu and all the excitement of a big city with its small castle Iolani (Hawaii had a royal family), its Chinatown, Waikiki beaches and crowded. And on the other hand, we found the rainforest, fields of sugar cane plantations of pineapple (I always thought that pineapples grew on trees ... then it grows on a plant low), the beautiful public beaches with huge waves, Hanauma Bay ... Everywhere street names, regions and villages with unpronounceable many "k" and vowels, difficult for us to remember but so poetic at 'ear.

And then a few days after our arrival, we received a call from our "Swingers" which we offer to use their second car, a convertible sports parked outside the house. Mutual trust was now well established.

Then we saw the family come to us at the airport almost every day. One night she invited us to spend a family night on a beach, organized by a parish community (one of many American churches), which we accepted with pleasure. We had to take our dinner and drink. Hot dogs and popcorn were served to children. When it is dark, a large projection screen was erected on the sand and we submitted a film for children. The welcome was warm, no one has tried to convert us, our children were very happy to play with other children. In short, we were thrilled.

Memories

These three weeks have passed too quickly. He soon had to rebuild our suitcases. This exchange of houses was a great success. One regret not having met people in our "swingers". We are against staying in contact with them and have been invited to visit them. One day perhaps. In the meantime, the exchanges allowed us to discover a breathtaking island and living the Aloha spirit, the sense of hospitality and concern for others through respect for the person and personality. He is so present in our minds that he gave his name in Hawaii: "Aloha State" (State of Aloha).

Because the home exchange is first and foremost a share, since we rediscovered the Aloha spirit in France, Portugal, Italy, Turkey and elsewhere soon ...