Year 2005. One for the History.

Year 2005 might not have been the best year, but certainly will be remembered as the one with most challenges and life changing events. And in all major events we felt it directly here on the island and not considering that Aruba too has become one of the year's top News. But in any negative publicity given by unprofessional reporters and talkshow hosts and others who had turned their love and hope into hatred and revenge, it's the people of Aruba that showed the world, that no matter they're a small island, that just emerged 20 years ago and still young and naive in certain aspects, still made a stand for itself against those who with the help of the media tried to destroyed its people. It was a year of Challenges.

A year in which we saw a modern Saint going back to his Father and a new Pope emerged. Pope John Paul II The Great made history and glued all believers and non believers on the TV and made them stay with him during his last weeks of life. We all did.

It was a year of Challenges that opened with the aftermath of the biggest Natural Disaster in the world, the Tsunami's. Aruba helped with hundred of thousands of dollars in donations. The island united to help those in the Asian region. Aruba has over 50 different nationalities living in harmony and any event that hurts any other region in the world is felt here.

We saw a year of bloodshed in Iraq, but with some hope after elections after elections the Iraqi people are becoming more open to this new change. Dutch Troops are in Iraq and Afghanistan and renewed efforts are underway to keep this work. There are also a few Arubans in the US military now stationed in Iraq.

Then, the bombings in London, shook the Western Europe. It showed how terrorism could be hidden in your own backyard and is not only based in the Middle Eastern Countries. Holland went on Alert and has made several arrests, related and not related to this bombing but definitely opened its eyes on the Terrorist's presence in their country.

It was a year of the media. The Jackson Hearing and the Natalee Holloway Case has become the worst journalism, the world has ever known. The objectivity became subjective and reporters became judges. Personal opinions became facts.

Aruba wept for the disappearance of its landmark but got hope by the new ones that are emerging. The Natural Bridge.

Natural disasters in the USA by Katrina, Wilma and others made its effect on the island, who depends on major part tourism from the States, saw a small decrease after these events and will definitely show on the yearly figures. Oil prices and the fact that Aruba had this year around 500 rooms less than normal, made the tourists traffic at the Airport lower than ever. Katrina showed us that no matter your size, it's Mother Nature and God that determine the faith of the people.

Aruba was hurt by the case of Natalee Holloway, by international media and also by some locals, who instead of telling the truth about Aruba, used this once in their lifetime oportunity to try to gain personal objectives.

This was the Year of Challenges, Hope and renewed Faith.