Everything we have learned so far about Aruba
Good morning, cutie. If you're reading this, I'm sitting up in bed. At night. It happens to me every time I'm traveling for work. So excited that you can't sleep from the craziness. In case you missed it: Lil and I are in Aruba. Although we've officially renamed it Aroeboe, so you'll be seeing that name a lot this week, you've been warned.
What have we been up to so far? You might as well ask: what haven't we done? We shook our booties at the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival, visited dozens of divine little spots, and explored the island in a jeep. The bizarrely beautiful beaches. With water so clear that you really wonder if you're accidentally standing in a swimming pool. There was a sailing tour. A painting class. A SUP yoga moment at sea where I almost peed in the water from laughing. And of course, we had to take pictures with dozens of cacti ‘because cacti are fun’. The same goes for the flamingos. And as with every trip, a whole lot of things are learned here. This, among other things:
Having a pony on this island is impossible
Because you won't win the battle against the trade winds (yes, the wind in Aruba even has a name). So, get those hair clips, bandanas, and bobby pins out, darlings, ‘cause you're gonna need them. Besides, the wind is lovely, because even at thirty degrees, you don't sweat it out at the beach.
The Aruban jams are totally our thing
Think reggae, think R&B, that goooooooood bubbling shake-your-booty music, and Latin American tunes. Even Ronnie Flex and Boef on the radio!
Factor 50 is an absolute must
If you think on day one: meh, I'll use factor 30 because I don't burn that easily: don't. You're literally closer to the equator and I don't know what kind of sun they have here, but it's intense. Lather yourself well and thickly, and within a week you'll be super tanned. Mark my words.
Sea urchin eggs don't taste that bad
Never thought I'd say that.
Alicia Keys is the best singer on earth
Suddenly there were tickets for the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival, and ‘suddenly’ there was Alicia Keys. We knew she could sing, but this, this was something else. Rarely have I heard an artist sing live better than on the record itself.
Sushi lovers, pay attention...
Sushi means ‘waste’ in Papiamento.
Withdrawing 50 dollars is practically impossible
We're still investigating what it is exactly, but if you don't want to stand at the ATM for a quarter of an hour, then don't withdraw 50 dollars. 60 dollars? No problem. 50 dollars? Error squared.
Flamingo Island is the shit
Okay okay, a bit touristy, that's true, but seriously, go to the Renaissance Hotel for the really nice Instagram photos with flamingos. The private beach is awesome. Oh, and we immediately gained a few facts: flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp. Sounds logical.
What they say about the water is true
Buying in the supermarket? Not necessary. Aruba has crystal clear tap water and it tastes just like home.
Burnouts don't exist here
I seriously wonder if they even know that word here. Everything goes tranquilo, dushi, no spang, no stress. What can't be done today can be done tomorrow. And I'm telling you: it's wonderful.
Time to turn off the light, guys. Soon many more Aroeboe updates, you get it. Drumi, dushi! (Yes, that's ‘sleep well’. Lovely, this language.)
