Aruba: One Dushi Travelogue On One Happy Island

Last week marked my sixth (!) visit to the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba, which just so happens to be my personal favorite Caribbean destination thus far. For the last five summers, I've spent a week per year at the Playa Linda Beach Resort in Palm Beach, and each year I fall just a little more in love with this One Happy Island. I have spent countless hours laying on the beach and floating in the cool ocean, eating Aruban Dunkin' Donuts to my heart's content, sampling Argentine beef at many of the local steakhouses; not to mention my own wedding took place in Aruba in Summer 2008 only to be followed up by our first anniversary in Aruba last weekend. Let's just say that I have often imagined Aruba as a seriously viable option for semi-permanent relocation. It's that good. Since I like to think of myself as an Aruba connisseur, I felt it only necessary to detail my travelogue, in both writing and photos, good eats, cheap eats, must see attractions, nightlife, and good old time passing relaxation.

Local Stats
1) It's a Dutch island
Outlined by colorful little shops and homes, it even includes a giant windmill brought over from the motherland.

2) The local language is Papiamento
Ok, so they also speak English. A combo of many languages like Spanish, Dutch, and Portugese, doesn't Papiamento just sound nicer than English? While tourists can certainly get by with English, try to pick up a few words in Papiamento before returning to the States.

3) If you pick up one phrase in Papiamento...
Make it 'mi dushi'. Dushi (say it with me..teeheehee), the term for 'sweet/dear/nice' is used all over the island and you can hear it in locals' conversations and on the sign at my favorite breakfast place (Dushi Bagels). I'm pretty sure it's destined to make it's way into the English language...

4) It's One Happy Island
The tag line featured everywhere from signage to souvenirs to license plates doesn't lie - Aruba really is One Happy Island. It's safe to leave your resort (don't let the Natalie Holloway coverage tell you otherwise) and people are friendly. I wouldn't go driving off in a car with any of them, but still. Just being able to walk and drive around while being greeted by smiling faces is enough for me. On a side note, I'm convinced that this slogan, while charming, should really be changed to 'One Dushi Island'.

So Bon Bini! to my Dushi Aruban Travelogue! Upcoming articles will include, but will not be limited to:
Top Three Ways To Do Breakfast
The Day I Thought I'd Die in a Land Rover in Aruba
How To Pass The Time On The Beach For 10 Hours a Day
Is There Nightlife in Aruba? Where?
...and more!

What I Pop Cultured...in Aruba

While I recover from my paradise-filled Aruban vacation, where I ate surf & turf, drank frozen cocktails, sat on the beach for 12 hours a day, mourned MJ, celebrated the first anniversary, and finally got a healthy tan, I thought it necessary to update my week in pop culture. Though I have much to share about my Caribbean adventure, I still need to sort through photos and information so it could take a few days. Since I had TONS of time on my hands this week, here's what I brought along for the trip.

What I Read...on the Plane:
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult A novel following a student who shoots up his high school, killing 10 and wounding dozens, in a mere nineteen minutes. Picoult also brings in very likable characters in the form of said student's parents, his childhood friend and her mother, a dashing detective on the case, and very unlikable bullies who've tortured the shooter throughout his lifetime. I appreciate Picoult's writing-style and her ability to incorporate controversial issues into her fictional stories. While she doesn't offer solutions or choose sides in the bully vs. bullied, she does paint a picture that blurs the line of what's right, wrong, and justified. While it was no My Sister's Keeper, it was an easy, interesting read that held my attention.

What I Read...on the Beach:
April & Oliver by Tess Callahan Childhood friends, unrequited love, sexual tension, weekends in the Hamptons...April & Oliver had such potential for a saucy chick lit beach read. Unfortunately, April & Oliver could not have been more disappointing. Perhaps I had unfair expectations of what the book would ultimately be about, but I was left unfulfilled. While I don't mind leaving some ambiguities at the end of a good read, I felt that this one lead me out to sea and left me there. Though the characters were well developed, interesting, and intense, I was highly unsatisfied with the ultimate turn of events. I mean, why would I read a book in which I have no idea what happens to the main characters? Though some may appreciate the ambiguous ending that 'makes you think', I prefer to have a definitive climax. The main character lives or dies. They hook up or they don't (and let's face it, if they don't, why am I wasting my time?). This one left much to be desired...in many ways.

What I Watched...in the Hotel:
How I Met Your Mother, Season 3 The writers finally got it right this season. While always charming, the first two season struggled (in my eyes) with Ted as the lead because...well, because he's just boring. Season 3 focuses more on Barney (played spectacularly by Neil Patrick Harris) and the group is integrated into more storylines, making it a seriously funny sitcom in a dying sitcom era. The only episodes that faltered? The ones that were Ted/finding the Mother-centric. Does anyone really care who the mother is? Give me more Barney.

What I Watched...on the Plane:
Mad Men, Season 1 Skeptical of the hype but willing to give it a whirl mainly due to Jon Hamm and my love for 60's-era things, I finally watched the first two eps and I'm hooked. Drama, comedy, inappropriate gender/racial stereotyping, New York City...a winning combo. I plan to get my DVD on all week, so hopefully it will only get better.

That's about all I had time for last week. I plan to continue pop culturing this week and be sure to check back for Aruba guides!

Manhattan Chick in the Midwest, Part 2: Eating My Way Through Northfield

After overcoming my surprise at the overbearing amount of good human decency and in between bridesmaid duties and wedding events, I had some time to explore Northfield. And just because I left the East Coast, I had no reason to stop eating my way through town. Since all of the main points in Northfield are within a 3 block radius, I was able to hit up a bunch of local spots for overfilling my stomach, having a glass of wine, and picking up a few items to remind me of my trip.

Goodbye Blue Monday Coffee House
319 Division Street

By far GBM is the best place to get coffee in Northfield...ok, it may be one of the only places to get coffee in Northfield, aside from a gas station, but either way nothing beats this adorable, cozy little coffee shop serving teas, smoothies, lattes, cappuccinos, coffee cake, scones, old fashioned donuts, and, oh yeah, coffee. If these delectable delights aren't enough, they even have souvenir coffee mugs and t-shirts for purchase. Who needs Dunkin' after all?

Coffee shops don't get cuter than this!

At the counter...note the plethora of choices!

Toffee flavored coffee...a perfect way to start the day

An old fashioned donut...crispy & glazed, just the way I like it

Hogan Brothers Acoustic Cafe
405 Division Street
While I thoroughly enjoyed my rare breakfast of coffee and donut (this is generally reserved for my 7 mornings in Aruba each year), for lunch a must is Hogan Bros. Famous for their 'Hot Hoagies' (for you tri-staters, a hoagie is also know as a sub), Hogan serves 'em up with your choice of cold cut, provolone & swiss cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato and their signature special sauce. Of the latter, fear not; it's a delicious olive oil vinaigrette.

Ordering at the counter

My hot ham hoagie, heated to perfection

Cocoa Bean
515 Division Street
And of course, what lunch would be complete without dessert? I headed down to Cocoa Bean, a candy and ice cream shop, where they scooped up a perfect cup of Island Fudge ice cream. It was tasty.

An old-fashioned candy & treat shop...including ice cream

Outside Cocoa Bean with my tasty Island Fudge scoop

Sisters Ugly
13 Bridge Square

With all of the eating going on, I felt it was only necessary that I take in some sights and do some shopping. A walk by the river and a teeny boutique called Sisters Ugly fulfilled this necessity. An eased tummy and one super cute belt later, I was content.

Sisters Ugly, a truly fab boutique

The Popcorn Wagon
Bridge Square

Contented by shopping and exploring, I made my way to the town square where I came upon one of the most charming aspects of any town...ever...an old-fashioned popcorn wagon. I was disappointed to find that since it was a Sunday, the stand was closed. Though I really wanted some old-fashioned popcorn, my stomach thanked me and a little piece of my heart was touched that some places still close on Sundays.

The Popcorn Wagon & me...a perfect friendship

Next up: Part 3 of our Midwest series, Nighttime in Northfield.