I am an avid viewer of Dr. Phil & a mother of 4 children. Recently, my husband and I went on a cruise that had Aruba as one of its ports-of-call. Having watched with baited breath all of the Natalee Holloway stories and interviews, I was troubled that we would be stopping there--wanting to follow through with the boycott. However, I figured that since I WAS going to be there, I would make the most out of it and be yet another pair of eyes looking out for this dear child and another set of lips reminding the people that we have NOT forgotten her.
My husband & I booked an all-day excursion that included extensive touring of the Northern side of the island in Landrovers--going through the dunes where the latest news has said that there have been leads to her location there. The whole day was shrouded in an errie feeling. Although the weather was hot and the island arid, that notorious wind was blowing a mournful feeling across the island. I could not think of anything else. As a mother, my heart panged for poor Ms Twitty and her anguish for the uncertainty of her daughter's wherabouts.
While touring the dunes past the Calafornia lighthouse and near the goldmine fort, we saw a helicopter with the supposed "Dutch men" searching the shores for Natalee. The were about 10 feet above the ground with various long poles protrouding from the rocks that they flew back and forth towards--obviously as some markers of where they have been. I have quite a few picture of this--as a reminder to myself and anyone else that sees my vacation photos--of the determination of a parent's love.
We got out of the Landrovers at the mine site and I was struck by the "rock formations" that have been placed all over the island near the shores. I asked our tour guide what they were. They seemed to be just various rocks stacked in different piles...but hundreds and hundreds of them! The guide said "case of 'monkey see, monkey do,' but some call them the wishing garden. Visitors stack a pile of rocks and leave their wishes with them." I followed suit and found scattered rocks at the natural pool and built a "wish" for Natalee...and wrote on the side of a black rock with a lighter one "we have not forgotten you Natalee."
There was a vendor at the goldmine selling t-shirts, bags and sodas out of his van to tourists. As the helicopters approached the stretch of beach near this spot, he and his wife waved their hands at them in disgust and said "go home, go home!" I was appaulled. This is the sort of thing that the American people should know about when they hear of Aruba and their claim to be "One Happy Island." Happy as long as no one raises any questions!
Their were four other tourists with us on this land-tour that day (March 31, 2006) who had been staying on the island all week. They said that they had heard all sorts of talk from the locals. When our guide heard us talking about it he said with a certainty of voice and knowing look "she is not on the island anymore." We inquired more into his theory and he commented that "the girl had over $10,000 cash on her and was spending money all over town. All of her things were left behind in her hotel room. She was running away. Venezuela is only 17 miles away." I was not convinced of this whatsoever. However, having toured the entire island myself and seen the raging waves of the waters hitting that Northern coast, my heart tells me that it would not take much at all to carry someone away into the sea...either by accidental misstep, or by dubious murder.
My thoughts and prayers are with this family. I just wanted to write and say that although I did not boycott Aruba, I took the opportunity to be yet another reminder that we have not stopped looking. God Bless!
Eighteen-year-old Natalee Holloway disappeared early last summer during a senior class trip to the island of Aruba. On a recent show, Dr. Phil joined the search for the missing teen and broke new ground in the case. He called for a boycott of Aruba and put his own investigators on the trail. Now, two months later, Natalee's mother feels there is a strong chance her daughter is still alive. Hear, for the first time ever, the evidence she reveals to Dr. Phil. Also, learn how effective the boycott is and why a pair of Dr. Phil's rescuers found themselves in need of a rescue. Plus, Natalee's disappearance bears similarities to the case of another young woman who went missing in the same region. Meet the parents of Amy Bradley and see what strong evidence has them holding onto hope that their daughter is still alive. Join the discussion.
