The "Revolt of the Old People" Story

It was an ordinary day. Port of Call is Aruba. We are docked on the south side of the island. Jerry, Just Sue, Carol and I have scheduled a day at the beach. The trip is called the Kukoo Kunuka Palm Beach Break. Finally, a trip to the beach to get some tan. We board the bus??? at 9:00 AM. It is an old school bus that was taken out of service and sold to the owner of the company that sponsors the trip we are on. It has been painted red with yellow bumpers. Wheels are blue with fluorescence green centers. Tropical animals and beach scenes decorate the outside of the bus. And the inside ..... well the inside is painted in bright Caribbean colors with sayings all over the walls. The windows have been removed and extra doors have been cut into the sides of the bus for easy entry into each row of seats. QUITE UNIQUE!! Our driver for the day calls himself "The Dutch Boy." He passes out the maracas and tells us to hold on. He loves island music and he loves it loud! Off we go with the music playing as loud as he can get it and him honking on the horn. Do you get the picture? A group of mostly white 60 year olds shaking their maracas in a brightly painted red bus with a 30 something black bus driver, all singing at the top of our lungs to Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild." Quite a scene, but I'm sure the locals are used to it by now. Next comes "Tequila" by The Champs. And the beat goes on .... and on. But, we have our suits on and we're ready for the beach! We finally arrive at ..... the Chapel of Our Lady of Alto Vista. A neat little chapel which sits overlooking the Caribbean. Our driver said it was on the way and he thought we may like to see it. OK, let's get to the beach. But wait, our next stop is The California Lighthouse. The only lighthouse on the island and named in honor of the ship that sunk off shore about 2 years before it was built. "The Dutch Boy" thought we would enjoy seeing it before we went swimming. The 60 year olds are getting impatient now. Finally we arrive at the beach. "I know it says otherwise, but this is really Palm Beach," Dutch Boy tells us. Hey, if the water is aqua and wet and the sand is white, who cares what the beach is called. Before we leavethe red school bus, he tells us that he will be back in an hour and a half to pick us up. WHAT? Jeez, we just got here and we have to leave soon? He agreed on an extra 15 minutes. Big deal! And that's why when you go on a cruise you better like being on a boat, because you no sooner leave it and you have to be back on it. Not the type of vacation for people who enjoy relaxing with a cold drink, a beach chair and umbrella and a good book. Certainly don't have time for a relaxing nap on your beach chair. We spent most of our hour and 45 minutes in the water. Very hot today and the bus has no air conditioning, remember. Carol and I were the last two people back on the bus. Upon our return to the dock, Carol and I head for a light lunch and walk around the town of Oranjestad. Picked up a few souvenirs and snap a few photos of the brightly painted buildings. Very interesting and colorful city. A cold shower and evening meal await us on board. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pixs from the top are: the Kukoo Kunuka Bus, the colorful inside of the bus, everyone shaking their maracas while singing, the Chapel of Our Lady of Alto Vista, Palm Beach (allegedly) and a building in Oranjestad, Aruba.