courtesy of: The Morning News
by Rosalie Klein
David and Karen Rodgers were enjoying their annual three weeks of escaping winter cold in Massachusetts when a mishap could have ruined their entire vacation, but instead re-affirmed their admiration of Aruba and its people.
Renaissance Beach Suites in Oranjestad is their home away from home every March, and they were looking forward to a quiet dinner with some take out from the nearby restaurant, Que Pasa? Unfortunately, after picking up their food, David tripped just a few feet away from the entrance on a tire shredder in the exit of parking lot next door. He took a hard fall, and the food went flying.
Three onlookers came immediately to his aid, picking him up and dusting him off, but David’s favorite dish, the tomato soup, was beyond rescue, so he went back into the restaurant to order another.
When Que Pasa?’ owner Martin saw his disheveled appearance and heard the story, he wouldn’t hear of Martin paying for a replacement soup, and in fact, insisted on replacing the entire meal, gratis.
“Actually, I only really needed another soup, I didn’t expect this at all, and was ready to pay, but they wouldn’t accept my money.”
Everyone in the restaurant felt badly for David, as it was evident he had been seriously hurt by the fall (not only scrapes and bruises, but he fractured his wrist.)
Sophie, a member of the help staff, who is an art student by day, was so concerned, she insisted on carrying the food and walking David safely back to his resort, which was quite a surprise for Karen when he walked back into the room with a very lovely young lady in tow.
After a trip to the Dr. Horacio E. Oduber emergency room, where David again affirms he received the most “courteous and considerate care” and a cast, he and Karen were finally able to settle in and enjoy their very much anticipated dinner.
“Nobody wants to get injured anytime, particularly while on vacation, but really, the extreme kindness of everyone we came in contact with, especially Sophie and the folks at Que Pasa?, made it a positive experience for us,” commented David.
“We just had to tell this story. We know Aruba is called “One Happy Island,” but we think it should be called “One Caring Island” too!”
