I have spend many years around travel. My grandmother was a travel agent before the internet took away the urge for them and had made yearly trips as tradition to Puerto Rico and Florida. As an agent she was able to get us discounts straight from the airline and booked priority boarding for all of us. My family had always been involved in bowling tournaments in New Jersey also. Growing up, those yearly visits to Puerto Rico were primarily large groups of members of the league. This was something my grandparents had done many years before I was even born as well.
Several of these bowling tournaments were on the island of Aruba during the 80’s. Growing up she used to share stories of how much she used to love going to Aruba and how warm and welcoming everyone was there. During one visit, she had mentioned that she had won the tournament with a high score and during the rest of her visit, the local radio had announced her accomplishment to the island. Something she trully never forgot and only left her with so much love for the island, its people, and culture.
As for me, this was something I never forgot, whether before my wanderlust grew or not. As college was left in my rear view mirror, became financially stable and my travel agenda began, Aruba was immediatley placed on my lineup. On one of my trips, I had even saw an article on off-roading the desert coast on the island. This is where I knew I had to make a trip there, see it for myself, and live new memories for my grandmother. Eventually, an itinerary was set to visit Curaçao and Aruba both in one trip in order to get a true diverse adventure in the Dutch Antilles.
Typically when I travel, I find much more interest in doing things the local way. The same way I did in Jamaica, away from all-inclusives and beach resorts and staying where Jamaicans stayed and riding buses with them. This is where exists a contrast from my Grandmother and I in regards to style of travel. Where she had booked a stay in a four or five star hotel in the north in Eagle Beach, I chose to use my first AirBnB experience on the south of the island in a cabin-like spot in Savaneta owned by a friendly Dutch couple.
I doubt that my grandmother had ventured out like I had, but her trips were enough for her to truly feel for the islands warmth and welcoming. Fortunately for me, I got that feeling times one hundred. I knew two locals, a mother and son on the island who were able to give me the true Aruban experience along with an additional friend. I stayed in Aruba for 3 short days but in those three days, I felt like a true part of the island and made every second count. As far as getting around, I got around using local routes, some additional sightseeing away from the tourist attractions I would have never seen on my own and off-roading in my Jeep rental. As far as enjoying the beaches, I enjoyed it the local way and made a few friends along the way also. As far as eating goes, I ate true Aruban cuisines like a local, for a good cost and portioning. And as far as the three I spend my time with on the island, Su, her son Jarehd, and her friend Chris, I felt like a part of family and I will never forget the their hospitality and company.
Upon meeting my young friend Jarehd, he suprised me with a handmade rubber wrist bracelet with the colors of the Aruba flag. Something that truly touched my heart, put tears in my eyes, and initiated my true welcoming to there island. Not to forget my friend Su greeting me with an audio message in Papiamento (local island language) “Bon Bini na mi isla Aruba/Welcome to my island, Aruba”. Riding around in my jeep rental, we shared laughs, smiles, stories and great experiences all while seeing amazing places on the desert east coast and beach east coast. We ate delicious meals and watched beautiful sunsets together. Knowing and understanding my true blogging is integrated in my photos and videos, they all helped me compile great imagery and videos for me to finally put together back home. In random addition, I was given the privilege of eating a piece of cactus fruit also.
The most emotional part of this whole adventure was dinner back at my friends house in the heart of Aruba, the night before my departure. Sitting on her front patio at a small table for four with cars passing by on a road barely lite by dim streetlights. Being served fish soup and some papaya fruit for desert with some wine. Here is where I met some of her family and they provided me an Aruba hat, handkerchief and bracelet as a gift for my stay on the island. And when it was time for good byes, my little friend came close to me hugged me telling me that he’ll miss me. After I responded the same, It was then that I truly felt a great bond with them and felt like family in a land abroad. The night before my departure was left with strong heart felt hugs, goodbyes, and ‘please come back’s.
The next morning I found myself staring out the window to the sea not so much sad for my trip ending but realizing the great connection I had made with this family for just the 3 days being there. I drew tears as eat move i made to pack was one action closer to leaving. In addition to the places I had finally seen with my own eyes after so many years, I allowed a lifelong dream to come true since the days of the stories told by my grandmother. She had told me many times Aruba was one of her favorite places and the prime purpose of my visit was to see why it was. In the end, Aruba became one of my favorite places as well. I will return Aruba. “Sunchis mi dushis.”
