Aruba - Once (A long one)

[charlescroes]

I have received quite some mail asking me what Aruba was like a long time ago. This in itself is tough to answer. This is my stab at it. Hope it makes some sense to those who wanted to know. If so desired, I will do more of these memory snippets.


It’s “High Season” (tourist-wise anyway) on Aruba and the streets are packed with those that have visited many times before and those that haven’t. All of the bulletin board and other suggestions have been researched and noted and the masses are hustling and bustling to get the best tan at the best beaches and follow that up with the best shopping deals - only to be topped off by having the biggest and best steak or other dinner choice at the best restaurant.
[How is that for a mother of a ‘run-on’ sentence? Impressive isn’t it?]
Anyway, everything is on the move and the cars (rented or otherwise) slink slowly on the streets much like a long multicolored Boa. This Boa isn’t a ‘get-a-way’ from a local pet nut, but instead a mechanical and almost exclusively Japanese creature that does not shed its’ skin but simply replaces it yearly with newer models.

You look at this and have to know that there was once a time when it wasn’t like that. There had to be a different time. Better one? Not especially so but different for sure. And this (long-a-go) different time no longer has those that can testify to having actually lived it. Let me change that. It is becoming less popular to talk about it. Why with all of the new and fangled stuff going on, who wants to talk about a small dingy going out to sea when today there is a submarine full of passengers setting sail (is it possible to set sail underwater?) everyday. The submarine passengers have a quest - to see the fish that the inhabitants of the dingy are supposed to catch. Modern worlds and old ones sometimes do get along in the oddest ways.

I (damn am I getting ready to date myself) remember empty streets at noon until about 2:00 PM. When I say empty, I mean empty. The places that were not empty were the homes. It used to be a kind of a ritual to be at home at noon. A washbasin of water and soap with a small towel would wait in the bathroom. Fresh shirts were waiting by the bed side next to the baby powder dispensers while the smell of the mid day meal would make me crazy. Almost every thing came from cans; after all we are an island! I would come home and go look in the kitchen trash to see what cans were there. It was my first hint at what we would be having. I loved the cans that said DOLE. Not sure why but just did. Our housekeeper would prepare my glass of KLIM (milk spelled backwards) which is powdered milk mixed with water. That glass would reside in the refrigerator since almost morning and be teeth cracking cold. It was a time when we called the icebox a “Fridge” or “Friged-air”. No ice cube dispensers or anything fancy. Just a white box with a long silver handle that clicked when you opened it and clunked when you let it go.

Our house was huge!! – or so it seemed The dinner table was so big that, once seated, my feet would dangle miles from the floor. I sometimes let my shoe fall and listen to it hit. It is the things that children do and , more importantly, remember.

After the noon feast, we slept for at least one hour. Now that was tough. Listening to my grandfather snore and trying to establish his snore-rhythm along with my breathing was not an easy thing to do. I would think and wonder if I would snore some day. Thank God I do and at least in that way, am somewhat like he was. Dont ask me why, but that snore made me feel safe.

2:00 was the time that you went back to school and parents went to do “office things”. I always felt that parents got off easy. Now I know better. Aruba was as sleepy as the mid-day nap. As tranquil as the meal and as unorganized as I was.
Children remember best. Children remember the essence of things and not the things. In that there is a difference. Trust me on that. I remember the safety of grandfathers snore

Aruba did not have many cars in those days. Most families had one but then the key word is “one”. I don’t need to elaborate that point. Television was something we heard about but radio and records were things we heard. We talked a lot - said things to each other and commented on the things we said.

Has this small rock in the Caribbean changed? Yep! Sure has. Is this change for the worse? Who knows? In those days, the many visitors were an unknown thing and today we get to know this mystery. People from all places and of all colors – speaking many languages and none looking exactly alike.

It is the change that has saved this island. The cost? Well it could be argued that we no longer have a mid-day rest, however, most grandfathers don’t snore like mine did. And that, is reason enough for the change to be accepted. Not only accepted, but welcomed. Yet, once in a while, I find myself still looking for a rhythm. His snore or maybe the stillness of the mid-day. Who knows? Is it important? In the larger scheme of things, I would say no, however to me, well … I sometimes miss empty streets – yet am still so glad to see them filled. But most importantly, I still feel as safe as my grandfathers snore


You figure it out – I can’t.

Charles
arubafastphones.com

[BigPapa]

Charles --As I knew when I saw your post....It was time for me to take a ride with you. I love this " ride " in life that you share with ( just me ).

It does feel like you are sharing your life with just me, even though I know everyone is reading it. Special memories....of a Special time.....Shared by a Special man

If snoring is what makes someone fell safe....My sons have No Fear.

I will go for a ride with you.....anytime.<BigPapa>

[charlierat]

Great memories, Charles - all except leche Klim. I think I had mentally blocked that stuff.

[Corrine]

I enjoyed your memories again, Charles. You will be happy to know the practice of coming home for a long lunch and/or taking a short nap is alive and well in Italy! Many shops/offices/schools are closed at lunch. (not the big tourist places of course). In fact, people get their jobs based on where their home/apartment is, not visa versa. A great idea to me, recharge your batteries, enjoy your family.

I think we all can relate to your story. I remember when I moved to my town, it was a small town suburb of New York City. Homes were spread out, land was plentiful, everyone had one car and one TV, moms at home, we played outside for hours with no supervision, computers, IPods, "playdates", Nintendos, etc.

Like you said, better? Everyone could have a different opinion about that!

[beejay]

You have brought back many memories, Charles. Do you remember the Basiruti?

[kevin d]

Great writing as always, Charles.

Here's that 'old Aruba' website again, for nostalgia buffs and Arubalovers alike:
http://www.lago-colony.com/index.htm

[tico]

Charles..Everytime I read one of your posts I get homesick...keep up with the stories..it brings back to what life should be !!!!!
Tico

[Joe Lynch]

Charles -

enjoyed your posting and look forward to many more. Even though I grew up in New York City, I remember growing up with the radio (no televisions, and we were not "poor" although in those days you didn't know if you were poor). I also remember the "iceman" delivering blocks of ice to put in our "frigid air". We may have been thousands of miles apart, but things were similar. Our streets were used to play stickball and other ball games and we were annoyed when the occasional cars would interrupt our games.

Joe