Page 11 - AHATA

locAl Wednesday 22 april 2020
A31

Arubans living abroad

ORANJESTAD — Aruba Today is connecting to our beloved readers
abroad who have a special bond with the island. We launched col-
umns like Aruba To Me Is … and My Favorite Hotel Staff where our
fans can send pictures and words that express their love for Aruba
and its workers in the hospitality industry.

In these difficult times we also think about our Aruban friends living
abroad. How they are doing and what is their life experience right
now, we wonder. The first story in this series was published April 17
and came from Aruban Arturo Desimone who lives in Spain. Today
we share the wonderful story of Jairo Loefstop who lives in Costa
Rica. Thank you for sharing this amazing article with us Jairo!

My name is Jairo Loefstop. I am 35 ary 24th to March 1st 2020, dur-
years old and I have been living ing this week there were already
in San José, Costa Rica for the last rumors of people showing symp-
five years. I am married to a Cos- toms and various multinationals
ta Rican national and we have a were taking early measures such
family of four. Also we own BerryS- as working from home. Our daily
trong803 a functional fitness and traffic halved to less than 10% by
boxing gym in Paseo Colon, San the date we closed on March
José. I work as a Business Analyst 16th 2020. Officially March 6th country with good health care. ting closer to both my daughters
for an online gaming company. 2020 we had our first confirmed and spending valuable time with
Around 17 years ago I left Aruba case which just like Aruba was a Aruba and COVID-19 in the eyes my wife, business partner and life
to study in The Netherlands. Five tourist. Just like everywhere else of an Aruban living away companion. As of this moment we
years ago I arrived in Costa Rica sanitary measures were taken, Watching Aruba going through have found a way to survive and
and have been here ever since. but already some websites like this is horrible. On WhatsApp my have weathered the early storm
As mentioned above I also own a airbnb.com were taking massive mother send me a video of an through our fitness facility while
gym and we have a healthy café. cancellations and within days just enormous amount of tourists leav- giving virtual classes. We are do-
like Aruba the tourism sector dis- ing from our airport. I must admit I ing our part, we have stayed at
Costa Rica and COVID-19 appeared. The government act- was in tears and I felt completely home and we try to help others
COVID-19 Started for us as a fam- ed quickly and made sure banks, heart broken. I have followed when we have an opportunity.
ily business around 24th of Feb- real estate and other vital sectors much of what has been going Hopefully our next step in business
ruary 2020. All of a sudden there of the economy were aligned. on in Aruba. I am worried about will be a success next week, be-
was a huge drop off in clients to These plans have all been made my island, seeing that 88% of our cause 20% of that business will go
start with. This coupled together as part of 3 month cushion that income is gone. In business terms to people who need it more than
with low traffic peak hours. The they are expecting that we need for me that is plain bankruptcy. It we do at the moment. q
week I am referring to is Febru- to return to a 100%. Unfortunately worries me a lot what will happen
the country is not as organized to my family and friends. What is
as being led. There is a big grey Aruba going to live off, what are
area / informal part of the econ- Arubans going to eat, who will
omy that won’t receive help. Esti- come up with great ideas to save
mates have not been mentioned the country. As that video keeps
public, but the signs after 45 days popping in my mind I am still
are not good. More people going brought to tears and it’s the worst
through garbage disposal, food feeling I have ever had and see-
markets are empty. Some super- ing the US handling of this from a
markets have either too much Federal government point of view
food or no exported goods. All will make it even more difficult
in all I am scared even though, not only for Aruba, but also for us
because after month 3 what will in Costa Rica. The reality is this vi-
happen if we don’t go to a 100%? rus proves how connected we all
Landlords, banks and other finan- are.
cial services will not be kept away
forever. The good news just like Fortunately there have been
Aruba infections have flattened, good things happening. In the
but we have not beaten this virus last month as a family we have
yet. I am thankful to be living in a connected more than ever. Get-