Soft landing

I was away for two days, and in island terms it means a lifetime, as I immersed myself for almost 60 hours in another universe.

I think it will take me at least fifteen minute to re-acclimate and get back to Island Life, so no big, inspiring column today!

Last week was filled with bad behavior. Many of us read with great interest court reports from the IBIS case, in which work permits were systematically traded for beer, tuna cans and concert tickets.

The court testimony described a system that was intentionally crippled to revolve around a government minister, who rigged, botched, and quagmired his own administration to make himself all-important, and omnipotent, the do-all, and fix-all, for financial gains.

The coin finally dropped in my head: As a minister, he was responsible for the so-called ‘failed’ system, because HE failed it.   

It’s hard to explain, or digest.

Then two members of the media misbehaved terribly, both in cases of domestic abuse, plus, plus. Without getting into details, a main stream know-it-all reporter and the owner of a radio station were both in the headlines for inappropriate, scummy behaviror.

It’s hard to explain or digest.

But then Carnival came and the popular Child and Youth Carnival Queen elections, where our Reina Hubenil, Ilaijah Croes, representing Dushi Carnival Group for Carnival 65, a student with special needs, landed the coveted crown with a spectacular presentation in a gorgeous dress, sailing through the official and unofficial obstacles, mastering a show, and a speech, without a hitch, the embodiment of Aruba’s Carnival Spirit.

That was very uplifting. The total acceptance and inclusion of Aruba’s special people, in this island’s biggest cultural event. It was a highlight.

And congratulations to child queen, Aliyah Harms representing Champagne Kids.

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January 21, 2019
Rona Coster