Tuesday, March 14th, 2006, 04:35 PM
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Almost Aruban Moderator
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Join Date: April 26th, 2004
Location: PA
Posts: 5,319
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Re: Gotta Be Good Or I Wouldn't Stay
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Originally Posted by charlescroes
I thought about him about four months ago when a tourist told me that she had lost her camera and that this island was going to hell. As I conducted my last piece of business with her and her very angry husband, an elderly man came to our kiosk and walked up to the couple and said "is this yours?" It was the camera. This guy (a janitor) had found it in the mens (pool-side) bathroom and the lady then remembered that She had put her name on it in the event it was lost and that her husband had taken it to take pictures of some parrots by the pool.
Lots' of smiles and thank you and WOW you guys are the best etc.
The camera was one of those disposable kodak things you can take underwater and worth maybe $35 and the memories in it were worth a fortune (Iknow it sounds like a VISA commercial).
The man tried to give the elderly janitor a tip, which he refused to take.
Yes we have more crime than we used to have. Yes we have more condos. Yes we have aquired a different image than we used to have. Yes - yes - yes. All of it true.
Yet - and this is only my opinion - we have just got the damnest little island here and I love living here. Quite honestly I could live in other locations, however thoughts of leaving Aruba are as fleeting as is my preoccupation for the safety of my family here.
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Funny that you should post this today... I had a heated discussion with someone last night who's never been to Aruba, and I don't think could even find it on a map, but who had so called "expert knowledge" of "bad" areas, crime, drugs, etc. Needless to say, the conversation went from bad to worse, causing me to use a few four letter words that come easily anyway! 
In my opinion, and for what it's worth, Aruba's image has only changed in the eyes of people who've never traveled there.... and, never planned on traveling there at any time.... and, people who follow a herd mentality.
No matter where one goes, one has to assume some responsibility for herself/himself... and, use good sense along with sound judgment. There's no total and complete utopia in the entire world, but as far as I'm concerned, Aruba's the closest thing to perfect. I must admit that my opinion is probably tainted since I've been going to what I call my paradise for 13 years... and, there's no other place I've ever traveled to that can touch it.
There are always a few rotten apples in the bunch... but overall, Arubans are the most honest, kindest, most caring people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing... and, I cherish their friendships. Does the camera story surprise me?? Not one bit... it's Aruba!
Yet - and this is only my opinion - we have just got the damnest little island here .... Charles, you're damn right!!!
(even if some don't follow through with their promises of wine and fruit) 
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January 30th to February 28th, 2009 Am I lucky or what?? 
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