[stlnative]

Thanks penowa - I find all this interesting - Aruba has modernized pretty much in just the last 20 years. I know I read that hot water tanks (water heaters) were uncommon on the island in private homes and that they are just now putting them in to the new houses that are built as a standard option.

I was on one Aruba web site the other night that had the monthly cost of living on Aruba and if someone has a large pool that the average monthly water bill is $240.00 USD a month. That everything broke down on what it costs to live there.

Again thanks for your input I appreciate it.

[penowa]

"I know I read that hot water tanks (water heaters) were uncommon on the island in private homes..."

Yes, there was one temperature for the water - somewhere between 80 and 90 degrees. All the water pipes were above ground. Once I got used to it (remembering to keep the bottle in the fridge filled for drinking,) I liked it. It was fine for bathing, washing clothes, cleaning, etc. I don't remember ever seeing a dishwasher in a private home which I admit I did miss, but unless there was sticky stuff like dried egg yolks on plates and pans, I never boiled water, just soaked.

Living on Aruba was like "eternal summer" and I missed the change of seasons after awhile. The cost of living was high in some ways (everything imported) but my husband made a good living so I never really thought much about it. Since I was a newly wed, it was like a really extended honeymoon!