One Anchor, Many Souls

On the southeast tip of the island of Aruba, there stands a giant anchor, serving as a memorial to all the sailors who ventured to sea. My friend Charlie Brouns, Jr. had the anchor placed there. Upon Charlie’s death, his dear friend Mr. Speiziale had the anchor repainted bright red, Charlie’s color of choice. Here’s a photo taken early on a hazy morning:

As much as sailors love the sea, they still long for the comfort of terra firma, especially after a particularly long or arduous voyage. And then there are those who die in the clutches of the ocean, lost forever to the deep. A character in my novel, An Island Away, finds himself adrift in the Caribbean after his tugboat sinks at the edge of a storm. He comes within sight of this spot and is nearly cast upon the rocks by the driving waves. Salvation seemed to be at hand, only to be snatched away. Ultimately, he makes it to a beach some distance from this spot, but he’s nearly dead.

Many of us may not realize the risks taken by people such as members of the merchant marine. Even in this modern day, the sea claims its share of casualties. Products ranging from crude oil, to fruit, to automobiles, to computers are all transported aboard ships before they reach our homes. And there are still pirates out there, cut-throat misanthropes willing to kill for profit instead of earning an honest living. Now there’s an idea for a story: someone attacked or kidnapped by these recent additions to the shameful list of pirates. The plot could be one of violent intrigue surrounding a valuable cargo that must be recovered for some important reason. Hmmmm…. have any ideas?

Published in: on July 8, 2008 at 3:37 pm  Leave a Comment  
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I Love Airline Food!

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to post this one. I was on my way to Aruba, flying the friendly skies of American Airlines. They have been my transportation provider of choice for years now, especially to Aruba. On the first leg of the flight, we took off at six in the morning. Naturally, breakfast was served. Here’s a look at what we enjoyed:

In the first place, that omelet was perfect, the eggs fluffy, not dry nor runny. The potatoes were cooked exactly right. The salsa added a bit of zing to an otherwise average breakfast option. The fruit was also perfectly ripe, ready to be eaten with sweet goodness and nutrition. Then, there was a bagel, not the greatest one I’ve had, but considering it came from an airplane galley re-heater, was just fine.

Hence, the result can be seen below:

Yes, mom, I ate everything. If my wife hadn’t closely guarded her plate, I would have eaten hers, too. That makes her angry, so I don’t risk it much anymore.

People like to complain about airline food, and I understand the urge to whine, especially if they remember the good old days. However, consider that the food must be prepared mostly ahead of the flight, re-heated in a galley the size of a closet, and served in conditions that are less than ideal. Add to these challenges, the fact that the primary responsibility of flight attendants is for YOUR SAFETY and you’re left with a situation that leaves much to be desired in the culinary department. Nonetheless, my belly is full, and after wrangling my cat through security, I’ll sleep well on the balance of this flight.

Then, on the second segment, the one that takes me from Miami to Aruba, there is only one thing to do. That’s right, enjoy an ICE-COLD Coca Cola at 35,000 feet.

It’s the real thing no matter what your altitude, latitude, or attitude. So put your seat back, relax, and enjoy flight. We’ll be there in no time. And where we’re going is literally, “Paradise, but not for amateurs,” if I may quote from my own book. Are you ready?

Published in: on July 8, 2008 at 12:38 pm  Comments (2)  
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Aruba, Island Approach

Here is a photo taken from American Airlines flight 1047, MIA to AUA:

How about those blue waters below? Actually, I think they’re more turquoise than blue, but who’s keeping track of the colors. I’m on final approach to my favorite island, one that I’ve been visiting for about 15 years. It all started when a friend of mine invited me to Aruba to take a look at a business idea. From there, it become a regular pilgrimage to this place in the Caribbean.

Aruba is one of those mixed up places in the world. It maintains “status aparte” from Holland but is nominally a Dutch island. The people speak several languages, including Papiamento which is a combination of several others. The island is close enough to South America for there to be a large Spanish-speaking population, yet there are a number of Europeans in residence as well. And then there are the Americans, everything from expats who grew up there during the boom years of the Esso refinery to vacationers and pensioners simply looking for reliable sunshine.

Either way, Aruba offers the visitor fabulous beaches, excellent dining options, plenty of opportunity to do nothing or stay out all day and night. Thanks to its friendly people and the aforementioned activities, it has the highest number of repeat visitors in the Caribbean. And it should. I’ve been many places in this world, but few are as welcoming as Aruba.

Published in: on July 7, 2008 at 11:30 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Hurricane Season

Hurrican Season is off to a good start with two named storms already. Bertha is plunging across the Atlantic in search of a target. One of the reasons I like Aruba so much is that the island is south of the hurricane track. In a worst case, it receives the back spin of a storm passing to the north, as is illustrated in my novel, An Island Away. Even that is a rarity. Miami, on the other hand, gets hit on a regular basis, although not lately. Below is a photo from a hurricane that struck the city in September of 1926. The photographer jokingly calls the beach the new “drydock.”

That’s a decent size ship there on the left and a barge on the right. The motor launch at the far left does have the look of a rum runner, doesn’t it? I could see Hemingway on her, or maybe a bunch of guys steaming up from Cuba with cigars, bootleg booze, and a story to tell. Those were the days. And to think the smugglers of today think they invented something new. The only difference is they use airplanes.

Anyway, calm weather gives the good sailor a chance to repair. So be sure to keep an eye on the weather. Don’t ignore hurricane warnings. These storms are among the most powerful on earth and once they are upon you it is too late. There’s no place to hide. As far as smuggling goes, well, if it’s material for a good story, I might be inclined to listen. Send me a note about what you’ve been up to. Thanks.

Published in: on July 7, 2008 at 7:10 pm  Comments (2)  
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