ARUBA (seventh trip)
DAY ONE                              Tuesday, 19 December

Airport check-in was interesting.  I had my quart bag ready with about three things in it.  The TSA person rooted through my carry-on and pulled out a Tide Stick and a container of creamy (not liquid) makeup and put them in the bag as well. Who knew you could blow up a plane with a Tide stick? 

US Airways flight 853 was happily uneventful, although there was a short delay.  We arrived in Aruba at about 4PM and collected our bags without trouble. There were two people from Value Car Rental to meet us.  Turned out this was because one of them - Carlos, who was to drive us to the office - spoke only Spanish.

Things got confusing.  The wheel chair pusher wanted to know if he could leave, the not-Carlos fellow from Value wanted to explain why he was leaving and I was trying to tug our bags over to the Fast Phones booth where two people were already being served. 

A line formed behind me at  Aruba Fast Phones and I had to keep leaving it to deal with things.  Service  was quick though and I didn't wait long.  Charles was there so I was able to give him the Christmas card I'd brought.  There was no time for him to show me the new MODO-WON (that would come later).

Value is on the same road as Gasparito. (Turn inland at Adventure Golf and make the first left.) Carlos drove us there. I resisted the temptation to practice my Spanish in case I should come out with something like "you walk very gently for a chicken"  and enjoyed seeing the crowds in town without actually being behind the wheel. 

At the office, where there is a picture of Hanuman on the wall and a very nice fellow behind the desk.  We signed all the usual forms and took off in our (three guesses) white Yaris.

 





We were met at Paradera Park Apartments by a charming lady who was not Debby and whose name I unfortunately have forgotten.  Debbie was taking an exam in Papiamento.  We were offered a beverage and -snap- that quickly we had our first cold Balashi in hand.

I never drink beer in the US, but in Aruba it's  Balashi all the time.




 

The place was decorated for Christmas with a wreath on every door.  Inside there was a small Christmas tree on our bureau.  The fridge was on, with ice cube trays filled and a pitcher of cold water inside.  We felt well and truly welcomed. 


New car rental, new lodgings, new cell phone - we needed something known.

Dinner at Bingo! 



We had eaten (if that's what you'd call it) on the plane so we ordered Bingo burgers and Balashi.  I don't know why we thought that would be a lite bite.  We could have split one dish and been more than satisfied.  But the burgers    were delicious.  Just what we wanted.

It was really busy, but Mike stopped by our table for a quick chat.  We told him we'd be back at least one more time.  Bingo is on our 'must do' list.

(Mike said he wanted to take down the white boards in front of the porch because he thought they look shabby.  Whattcha reckon?)

We went back to Paradera,  unpacked and checked out the property.  We hit the sheets early because we were first-day tired.



 


Hank's clever mirror shot
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