UNACCOMPANIED MINOR

When your child needs to travel alone preparing them well in advance will make the world of difference.  If they know in advance what to expect it will make if fun for them and limit some of the fear or anxiety, especially for TSA.

• You should educate yourself and your child on the policies and procedures.
• They should know what to expect and how they should be handled by the airline and staff.
• Contact the airline for their policies on pricing, age requirements, flight cancellations and delays.
• Try to avoid a connecting flight if possible but if necessary give more than the minimum connecting time to avoid missed connections and possible stand by situations.
• Familiarize yourself with the connecting airport, the arrival and departure gates.  Most airports have a website and layouts on their website.
• Try to book them during less busy times like the middle of the day and steer clear from late night flights that could result in a night at the airport.
• This is certainly a good time to give your child a cell phone if they don’t already have one and have them call or text you when they land and just before take-off when they’re on the plane and before the shut off electronic announcement. (Remember the two children who were scolded for violating this policy)
• They should also report to you any delays or cancellations to you immediately.
• Give them some cash for snacks and a gift card for emergencies.
• The most important thing is to have a plan and to make sure that the drop off and pick up persons have complete details on the process of an unaccompanied minor.

Yours Truly,
Ja'Vonne

Hi Traveling Eye Family!

Ja'Vonne, Howard, and I are in Aruba for the 6th Annual Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival.  We have been here for a few days and I can understand why Festival Director Erik Jan Eman chose Aruba as the destination for this popular festival.  The sun, beaches, wonderful hotels, easy access from anywhere and the people of Aruba are so hospitable. 

Randy Brecker

Performances are held on three stages and this year's line up is incredible.  Chaka Khan, Oscar D'Leon, Fourplay, Randy Brecker,  Pete Philly,

 Kuenta I Tambu, and the list goes on and on of great musicians dedicated to all types and combinations of Jazz and music. 

Last evening was the official first night of the festival featuring Fourplay and Chaka Khan on the main stage. I  love jazz but if I could have only attended one night of the festival, last night would have been it.  

Nathan East and Chuck Loeb of Fourplay

One of my favorite groups in music is Fourplay. The quartet is made up of Bob James on the piano, Chuck Loeb on guitar, Nathan East on Bass and Harvey Mason on drums.  Last night the weather in Aruba was humid and warm.  These guys took the stage and raised the heat tenfold.  I have gone to a lot of concerts and to be honest I have become jaded in a way that I have forgotten how to thoroughly become involved with the experience.  Last evening, Foreplay was the cure.  I let go and allowed the music, the performances of Bob, Chuck, Nathan, and Harvey, and the spirit of the crowd envelope me and take me to a place of freedom. (wow, that sounded almost deep). They played all of their hits and left us wanting more.  The great part is not only did they sound great, they looked as if they were having so much fun doing.  When I got back to our hotel I pulled out the Ipod and listened to their self titled album way into the morning.

Howard Little and Chaka fans

Chaka Khan closed the evening and everyone, especially Traveling Eye videographer, Howard Little, was ready for the voice to come to the stage. 

Chaka Khan

 I will stop here to say that Chaka looked awesome.  She has lost weight, looks healthy and her voice was "off the chain."  She sang her songs from "Rags to Rufus" and beyond. I felt as if all of the thousands of people in the audience were in her studio and she was singing what she wanted and we were her background singers.  Her band was tight and her real background singers were strong and on point.  Chaka had on this cute black outfit with black boots and was burning up the weather was so hot but it didn't stop her.  She danced, teased the audience, spoke a little Papiamento (the native language of the people of Aruba), and gave props to Whitney Houston for doing justice to the song, "I'm Every Woman."  It was a wonderful way to end the first night of the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival. 

 

Tonight we look forward to Randy Brecker Band, Pete Philly, and Oscar D'Leon.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

Bonnie

Hi Everyone!

The Traveling Eye is in Aruba at the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival!  Not only are we enjoying the festival, which I will get to in future post, but I am having a great time getting to know Aruba the destination.

Our first day was a busy one. With  Ernest Giel, Aruba Tourism Authority Visitor Care Liaison, as our guide, we received an up close look at the east side of the island and experienced a taste of how Arubians live. Aruba is 19.6 miles long and 6 miles wide.  Sounds small but it certainly doesn't feel like it as you drive along this peaceful and beautiful island.  We drove along beautiful natural areas until we came to the Caribbean Sea. Quite an impressive view of the this body of water that surrounds Aruba.
  

We stopped at "Baby Beach", it's not as big as the other beaches, hence the name, located in Seroe Colorado at the southeastern end of the island.  School children are on vacation this week so there were quite a few families enjoying the shallow waters of the beach. Right on the beach is an Aruba icon of  beach cuisine, "Big Mama Grill."  Ernest told us that fishermen catch the fish of the day, bring it to the restaurant and it is cooked up right then for you to eat. It is truly the freshest catch of the day.

 We didn't stop to eat there because Ernest had a lunch treat for us at a restaurant called  Cuba's Cookin!  It is a quaint restaurant located downtown with beautiful art work on the walls.








Ja'Vonne had the Ceviche del dia made with fresh caught grouper. Not only did it look good, Ja'Vonne said it refreshing and quite good.  She offered to share but I was enjoying my dish to much. And if she shared with me then I would have to share mine with her.  Right?

I had the Confusion Epanadas. Cuban Pastiches filled with beef, chicken, or fish. It was moist, favorable, and the really, really good.

We ate outside while watching the world go by.  The food was good, and the atmosphere was great.

Ernest Giel, Aruba Tourism, Ja'Vonne, Howard Little 

When coming to Aruba, I would suggest you take time out to get to personally know the island and the people.  Both are warm, inviting, and the key to making your trip a memorable one.


Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!
Bonnie