We've had many guests stay with us in Illinois and in Hawaii and I can truthfully say they have almost all been perfect... but some more perfect than others. I saw an article in the Sunday Star Advertiser about house guests being like fish that tend to smell bad after 3 days. I haven't found that to be true if they followed a few rules. Well maybe they're not so few. I'm going to use my own children as examples because they do follow these rules.
1. Rent a car: We do have a car and minivan. That's true. However, Art takes extreme care of his cars and he'll know every little dent that someone puts on his babies. We've been burned...remember? Therefore it would be great if you rented your own car. Our kids often do.
2. Bed and Breakfast: We will have cereal, soymilk, coffee and tea available. If guests want more than that, I hope they'll go shopping. We have two refrigerators and can hold what they want.
3. Other Meals: Everybody is on their own. Guests usually eat lunch out because they're busy exploring the island. We'd love to have them eat dinner with us if they don't mind what mom is cooking. Tif's family is particular so she'll often cook her own meals that she knows KC will eat. Jon and Sarah, having been Peace Corps volunteers in West Africa will eat anything.
4. Room: We provide towels (bathroom and beach) and whatever else hotels do. Our kids always try to tidy their room a little before they leave the house. When they leave to go home, the rooms are spotless.
5. Tour Guides: Oahu is a small island. We've seen it a LOT... the same places. Whenever we have guests we'll take them to key tourist places for one or two days. After that it would be great if they went on their own and enjoyed themselves without us. Our most recent guest, Emily was one of those perfect guests. I was amazed at what she found to do just by checking on Internet for things to do.
6. Electricity: Hawaii has THE most expensive electricity rates in the U.S. When you leave the house, turn OFF the fan, the air conditioner, whatever.
7. Include Mom: We have always appreciated people making an effort to talk to mom even though her English is limited. She understands enough. We had one couple (from Seattle-You know who you are.) who don't speak any Japanese, but they always made mom feel special and let her know how much they enjoyed her cooking.
8. Have FUN! The kids are never around during the day. There are too many things for them to do. Our kids will go to the beach, the zoo, the Bishop Museum, the aquarium, etc. They will also hike, scuba dive, surf, sight see, snorkle, sun bathe (with sun screen) etc. There are a lot of ETCs. if you just look around.
Do you have anything else to add to the list?
1. Rent a car: We do have a car and minivan. That's true. However, Art takes extreme care of his cars and he'll know every little dent that someone puts on his babies. We've been burned...remember? Therefore it would be great if you rented your own car. Our kids often do.
2. Bed and Breakfast: We will have cereal, soymilk, coffee and tea available. If guests want more than that, I hope they'll go shopping. We have two refrigerators and can hold what they want.
3. Other Meals: Everybody is on their own. Guests usually eat lunch out because they're busy exploring the island. We'd love to have them eat dinner with us if they don't mind what mom is cooking. Tif's family is particular so she'll often cook her own meals that she knows KC will eat. Jon and Sarah, having been Peace Corps volunteers in West Africa will eat anything.
5. Tour Guides: Oahu is a small island. We've seen it a LOT... the same places. Whenever we have guests we'll take them to key tourist places for one or two days. After that it would be great if they went on their own and enjoyed themselves without us. Our most recent guest, Emily was one of those perfect guests. I was amazed at what she found to do just by checking on Internet for things to do.
6. Electricity: Hawaii has THE most expensive electricity rates in the U.S. When you leave the house, turn OFF the fan, the air conditioner, whatever.
7. Include Mom: We have always appreciated people making an effort to talk to mom even though her English is limited. She understands enough. We had one couple (from Seattle-You know who you are.) who don't speak any Japanese, but they always made mom feel special and let her know how much they enjoyed her cooking.
Do you have anything else to add to the list?
