Saturday, December 29, 2012

Winter Break In Aruba



 
As we were racing to the airport to catch our 5:30 am flight, our younger son asked us to pull over on the tollway. Half asleep, he re-entered the car, and we crossed our fingers that this was an isolated incident. After the second wave of sickness, we anxiously awaited the third strike.
 
The flight attendant on the no-frills airline was concerned when he saw our boy's green complexion, so he quickly gave him an ice pack for the back of his neck, and a can of ginger ale. When he fell asleep, we quietly thanked the flight attendant who asked, "Nervous flyer?" We told him how he came straight to the airport after celebrating his friend's twenty-first birthday, and he replied, "Well, now I don't feel sorry for him."
 
We spent our days in Aruba by the pool or white sand beaches. While my husband and the boys were off on a snorkeling excursion, I walked along the beach admiring the beautiful scenery, shops, and hotels.
 
Our family enjoyed playing catch at the beach or volleyball in the pool. Once when our younger son was playing on my volleyball team he politely advised, "If the ball comes near you, just run away from it."
 
It cooled off at night which made walking to the restaurants along the strip quite pleasant. After dinner, we would go to different casinos where our older son taught us how to play black jack. He was very patient showing us different strategies, though they laughed at my not so swift hand signals. Our teacher was always a good sport, and was equally happy when any of us were ahead. At one point when I was out of chips, both boys shared their winnings with me, so I could get back in the game. That brought me a little bit of luck, and I quickly returned the favor. Fortunately, like The Gambler song, they knew "when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em," so no one got too carried away. 
 
As always, our vacation went by all too quickly. For the most part we got along well except for the time when my husband wanted to rebel by wearing his dress shirt untucked. "But it's more comfortable that way, and the kids don't tuck in their shirts." I tried to explain to him that the shirt was too long, and didn't hit him in the right place thus creating an unflattering vertically challenged look. Though I won that battle, he smiled the next night when he wore his sport shirt out.
 
It poured on our last day as we headed to the airport. The hotel recommended that we arrive three hours before our flight to allow extra time to go through customs. We had to go through customs twice, and the airport was a madhouse. At one point, our younger son had to run to the other side of the airport to buy some food that we ate while standing in line, as we waited over five hours.
 
Once we boarded the return no-frills flight, the flight attendant apologized for all of the delays, and offered to give us drinks and snacks as long as we paid for them. He even joked that if any of us needed oxygen in case of an emergency, he would gladly give it to us as long as our credit card was accepted. 
 
Though our plane left over two hours late, we still made our connecting flight home. This was quite a relief to all of my boys who were worried about catching the Bears game later that day. Fortunately, they won making our fourteen hour day of travel more bearable.
  
 


 


29 comments:

  1. Sorry about your son's bout of sickness but pleased all went well afterwards. Awesome photos' and now you're safe at home HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and family.

    Yvonne.

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  2. And there he is with his shirt hanging out...most likely the most memorable part of the trip for him lol.

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  3. I used to love traveling, but now with all the hassles, delays and time involved in just "getting there", I am putting off trips until they can come up a way to just beam me up.

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  4. Now that sounds like a wonderful vacation. And you didn't even lose money at the tables.
    Your youngest is old enough to drink? You don't look old enough!

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  5. What a great place to go during the winter holidays. We've been enjoying temps in the mid twenties and snow packed roads here. No, not jealous at all of your getaway! :P

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  6. Sounds like a great vacation! I would have been green even without the hangover.

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  7. What a wonderful vacation and a very lovely family photo. We've been to Aruba about 3 times - all via cruise ships. Loved it.

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  8. Thanks Yvonne, and Happy New Year to you!

    Delores - He was laughing over my shoulder as I was writing this, so all is well!

    Arleen - That's a great idea! The whole process took over fourteen hours for the trip home when actual flying time was only six.

    Alex - We would go up and down, and sometimes break even. Though some of us did better than others. Our younger son turned 21 in July, and our older son is 24. Thanks so much Alex!

    Luanne - It's been snowing here too. I thought of you, as the resort was on L.G. Smith Blvd.

    Tonja - I also don't like to fly.

    Mary - We saw where the cruise ships docked downtown, and we stayed about twenty minutes from there at Palm Beach. Thanks Mary!

    Happy and Healthy New Year to all!

    Julie

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  9. Every time I see photos of you I wonder how you don't age - you look fantastic, just like in HS. As for Aruba - wow, as for hubby's dress shirt - at least he wears one. I am not sure my hubby owns one. Think about this - a vacation down under . . .

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    1. Rhonda, You're the one who hasn't aged! I wish that I had your energy, and sense of adventure. I would love to visit beautiful New Zealand one day. BTW, It would have looked more like a dress than a shirt if left untucked. Thanks Rhonda!

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  10. Wow, that sounds like a fantastic trip! I can sympathize with you about the airport on the way home. When we went to the Dominican Republic last summer, the airport in Punta Cana made our departure a nightmare. We were searched three times. They musta heard about me.
    Not gonna feel too bad for you about the rain, though.
    It snowed today.

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    1. Sorry that you also were tied up at the airport for so long, but fortunately we all made it home safely. I've heard great things about the Dominican Republic. It only rained on our last day, so we were very lucky. Hope you don't get too much snow Al. Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  11. Sounds like an awesome trip, sure could do with some warmth and sun here. And yeah sometimes those airports can be something to fear.

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    1. Thanks for the rhyme Pat! I hope you get some sunshine soon.

      Robyn - There were many years when we didn't go on vacations, so it was nice to travel as a family. Thanks so much Robyn!

      Yvonne - It didn't really cool off that much, but it was comfortable after sundown.

      Susanne - We really did have fun, despite a difficult take-off and departure!

      JJ - Glad that you enjoyed it too!

      Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

      Julie

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  12. Sounds like a luxurious trip, and it's great to see pictures of your lovely family.

    Happy New Year's, Julie.
    xoRobyn

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  13. What a great trip. It must have been wonderful to be warm in the daytime and cool at night.

    Happy New Year!

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  14. Other than your son getting sick and delays at the airport, it sounds like you had a great time. : ) Happy New Year's, Julie!

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  15. Aruba is terrific. Have a wonderful New Year!

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  16. oh how wonderful!!! glad you had fun!!--have a wonderful new year :)

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  17. Wow! Aruba sounds wonderful. Next time your son drinks too much, tell him to drink lots of water and eat saltine crackers before going to bed. A lot of the hangover sickness is from dehydration, so that will make a huge difference in the morning.

    Your sons are handsome! I have pretty, Jewish daughters. ;)

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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  18. Sounds like a great trip, minus the flight delay home. You have a beautiful family.

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  19. Thanks Lynn, and I hope you've been enjoying the holidays too!

    Joyce - Good advice! He did feel better once he fell asleep on the plane. Thanks Joyce, and I'm sure they would be THRILLED if we tried to fix them up! We have to be really sneaky!

    Thanks so much Miranda!

    Thanks to everyone for all of your support and all of the best in the New Year!

    Julie

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  20. Oh, wow, what an awesome way to spend the holidays. Not sure if I'm more impressed with the beautiful destination of your trip, or the fact that your husband actually brought a dress shirt! It's a rarity to get my hubby to wear a shirt with buttons, especially on vacation.

    Happy New Year, kiddo!

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    1. I think it averages out, because some days I couldn't get him to wear a shirt at all!

      Happy New Year to you and yours Susan!

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  21. Hi Julie - what a lovely break - sounds gorgeous, except that waiting in line part .... great family photo shops - thanks for showing us - I'd love a break like that right now ... but perhaps being quiet and peaceful at home has its advantages!!! Happy New Year ... cheers Hilary

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  22. We just enjoyed a trip with our grown son, too. I don't know how many more of those we'll do now that he's married, but it was nice to get away. His future vacations will be with his beautiful wife instead of his parents, just as it should be. But I hope every once in a while, we can all travel together somewhere for a big family vacation.

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  23. Hilary - Hope you're feeling better. There's a lot to be said about peace and quiet. Thanks Hilary!

    Juliann - It's so nice that you went on vacation with your son. Maybe you'll be able to take a trip with your grandchildren in a few years!

    Julie

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  24. Owing to security reason have had to start another blog hence the two pics of me in your followers.

    Yvonne.

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    1. Yvonne, I've been trying to see your blog for days now. I just tried and failed again. Thanks for continuing to follow me, and I hope to read more of your wonderful poems soon.

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