How Aruba Taught This Busy Mom To Slow Down And Trust Life’s Process

My swimming lessons were pretty ad hoc as a kid. I grew up with a pool in an apartment complex and spent an entire summer pushing the limits of the lifeguard on duty. She was young and cool, and often took pity on the latchkey kids who made her a default babysitter. As the lifeguard, she couldn’t officially close the pool and teach us how to swim. She did yell out just enough poolside instructions so none of us drowned on her watch. I caught on to the basics – head above water, hold your breath and doggy paddle. By the end of August, I jumped in the deep end and freestyle crawled the length of the pool. What I couldn’t do was float. My mind, body and breathing never synced long enough to lay flat and allow the water to carry me. She kept telling me it was the easiest thing to do as a swimmer. I didn’t have the maturity to say I was afraid of drowning. I felt anxious trying to be still in the water.

I still did…until I visited Aruba.

Book’d and beached. (Photo courtesy of subject)

A four day reading retreat brought me to the largest island in the Netherland Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. The organizers offered an opportunity to start one of our days snorkeling before cracking open our novels. My yes came quick and easy.

The next morning we made our way to Mangel Halto beach’s crystal clear waters. There, outfitter RJ with Aruba Outdoor Adventures explained why this area, known for its mangroves and bathtub-like lagoon, provides an abundance of marine life up close. He rattled off all the fishes and corals we’d see and with an enthusiastic clap, our aqua adventure began. RJ paired us with our kayaks and flippers, but something was missing.

I asked, “Where are the life jackets?” 

“If you’re a swimmer, you don’t need them. You can just float.” 

“No, I won’t.”

“Yes you will. The salt buoyancy in the lagoon will make it easy.” 

“Sir, I cannot float.” 

RJ, who’s been a chatterbox until this very moment, takes a breath, smiles and says reassuringly, “If you don’t feel comfortable, I have a life vest. But you will float. Trust me.”

Blame it on the Aruban morning air or his genuine demeanour, I believed him. I climbed into the kayak with my designated partner and we peddled – yes peddled! – to a weathered jetty separating the lagoon from the sea. The cobalt and turquoise waters had me under a calm spell. RJ passed out goggles and snorkels. Once firmly on my head, he had me practice my breathing. In and out. Innnn and outttt. “If you find yourself getting anxious, stop moving and breathe. The salt water will hold you.” 

I submerged my face and body. Like clockwork, my anxiety rushed in. My breath sped up as did the stiffening of my limbs. I repeated to myself: Slow down. Breathe. Slow Down. Breathe. Slow. Breathe. Slooooww. Down.

Look, Mom: I’m floating! (Photo courtesy of subject)

And just like that, I was floating. The salt water was holding me as RJ said it would. The more I inhaled, my trust issues with drowning began to subside. My body drifted through the clear waters, where Aruba’s colorful corals and marine life were gloriously abundant. I wafted past parrotfish, tang and snapper. As we approached a nearly 30 foot drop at the edge of the reef barrier, I started to tense up but remembered to stop, slow down and breathe deep. Slow and steady. Deep, deep breaths. Relaxation coursed through my body. It was heavenly.

As our small group of well-read swimmers made our way back to the jetty. Holding onto the sea ladder, I lifted myself from the sandy shallows. Standing upright, I close my eyes as the heat of the Caribbean sun stings my eyes. RJ stands beside me, grinning ear to ear. “You did it,” he said. I smile back, envisioning my teenage self, sitting on the edge of that old apartment pool, nodding approvingly. It took me decades to overcome my floating fear but thankfully the sea is forgiving. During self-care awareness month, I’m especially grateful for this.

Cori + the supportive RJ (Photo courtesy of subject)

How to Have Your Own Reading Retreat in Aruba

Known as the happy island, Aruba boasts year-round sunshine with little to no chance of hurricanes due its positioning in the Caribbean Sea. Although it’s 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, the island is a part of the Netherland Antilles and has two official languages: Dutch and papimento (a Portuguese based creole).   

Aruba is a vibe. (Photo courtesy of subject)

Where to Stay
Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa The 16-minute drive from Queen Beatrix International Airport to Manchebo is the most straightforward way to a seaside seat for reading. Not only does the property have an abundance of palapas—thatched umbrellas that will keep your book and drink sand free—the resort offers a library of gently-used titles in several languages and genres. Bonus: Each guest is gifted a personal water bottle and encouraged to refill as needed at filtering stations throughout the property. 

Just beachy! (Photo courtesy of subject)

What to Do 
Need a little excursion between readings? Take a walking tour of San Nicolaas (also known as Chocolate City)—the island’s cultural hub of Black history, Carnival origins and vivid street art. Or check out downtown Oranjestad with Beach Lama, a self-described Cultural Laborer whose deep knowledge of Aruban life traverses from its colonial Dutch history to its modern day independence. Pro Tip: DM @beachlama297 for tour availability. 

Where to Eat
In 1636, the Dutch claimed Aruba for their kingdom however their current cuisine is a melting pot of tastes from Spain, South America, west Africa and the island’s own indigenous inhabitants, Caiquetios. Chef Urvin Croes passionately presents an historical account of papiamento’s culinary influences with his elegant Infini tasting menu. It should not be missed. Pro Tip: If you cannot score an Infini reservation, Croes’ second restaurant Caya House is a close second for experiencing the island’s eclectic cuisine. 

Until next time, Aruba. (Photo courtesy of subject)