BIOGRAPHY. “I worked as a cleaner in a hotel and I was proud to be able to do it” – Dace’s story of strength about significant life changes

I worked with Daci for a while – it was quite a long time ago, but I still remember the feeling she created, the admiration I used to look at her thick hair and dazzling smile. I thought she was beautiful like a supermodel. Beautiful and successful.

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Later I heard that she became the head of the “Lima” Chocolate Museum.

But this summer I thought about Daci again. When planning a family trip to Tenerife, I had the feeling that I should ask Dace what to see on this island, because I had noticed on social networks that she currently lives there. I had no idea at that time that the reunion would lead me to such an interesting life story. I can’t resist, I have to tell you too.

Aruna Dace Reisone – Latvian, although she has been away from here for a long time.

“My new path began when my children had already grown up and left to study and work abroad. At that time, I also divorced my husband and traveled alone for the first time in my life. I traveled to India, where I lived for two years, but returned to Latvia during Covid-19. There was no place left to live here, I rented an apartment in the countryside, until at one point it seemed that it was too cold for me, I wanted the sun,” recalls Dace.

So a decision was made where to go for 1-2 months. It seemed that she wanted to go to Africa, she even found an orphanage where she could work as a volunteer, but something kept her from doing so. Thoughts have been moving more and more to Tenerife, where I happened to be several times before.

The beginning of the war has changed everything, thoughts have arisen about where to feel safe at such a moment. Do you want to return to Latvia? Can you feel safe there? And where can you feel safe at all?

At that time, many people who did not return to Ukraine, to their land, were also “stuck” in Tenerife. Dace heard how various support campaigns are organized in Latvia and wondered how she could help. There was no money at that time, so other options were sought.

“In India, I learned reiki therapy, also Ayurveda and other massages. I posted an ad that I can help women for free. I didn’t care what kind of people came to me, I was ready to help anyone who I could help feel a little bit better at the time. As a result, I also received several offers when women expressed their desire to use my services for a fee. But I didn’t even have a massage table!”

So Dace formulated a goal for herself: if she manages to find a massage table within 2 weeks, if someone can also deliver it, then she has to stay here.

“Believe it or not, soon after posting the ad, the table “came” to me, I didn’t even have to bring it into the room. I took it as a huge sign that I have to stay here. I started to offer my services, I am slowly working. It wasn’t easy for me, because there wasn’t even a place to accept clients, there was no money to rent a salon, I also lacked courage, but I tried to figure out something, how to survive.”

The continuation is like in the story – from thorns to stars: “Different small works appeared. There was a man for whom I worked as a driver. I cleaned houses for some families, looked after children. I realized that I need a Spanish bank account and a social security number to pay taxes. I started work, it was all a huge test.

Although physically it was really hard, emotionally the feelings were great, because I met fantastic people and Tenerife was also able to inspire me every day.

“I was completely exhausted at work, but when I went out after that in the evening, I saw the sun and the ocean, I could enjoy it all, the work didn’t seem so hard anymore. Every day here seemed like Sunday to me, no matter how hard I had to work. Every day I wake up happy and grateful for my decisions and the people around me. I didn’t know where I would be later, but I was and am happy to be here.”

The minimum wage on the island is 1200 euros per month. It doesn’t sound bad to Latvians, but living in Tenerife is also expensive – you have to expect that you will have to pay close to 1,000 euros per month for the rent alone. In the northern part, however, you can find something cheaper.

That is why most islanders work 2-3 jobs, doing it up to 14 hours a day. The illusion that someone is waiting for the arrivals with open arms no longer exists. Dace mostly chooses to live with another woman to cover the rent more easily. There is no problem to live together.

“I was in Latvia last summer. When I returned to Tenerife after that, something had changed in me. I realized that Latvia gave me strength and confidence that I can do it again. And an opportunity appeared to start working in a massage studio as a self-employed person. The salon was located in the very center of tourism, I offered everything I knew there. My clients are mostly local people, sometimes tourists too. Latvians who live or visit Tenerife often find me.”

Dace says that massages are often performed here in exchange – a master gives her a manicure, she gives a massage in return, it’s a fantastic opportunity!

“I was the director of the Laima Chocolate Museum for a while, so I’m good at leading tours, I like it. I have traveled all over Tenerife, I go hiking, do sports in every free moment, I even brought my beloved bicycle from Latvia.”

There is also love in Dace’s story. Not only to the island.

“I met my other half here a few months ago. We match so much! We each live on a different side of the island, we have to drive almost 2 hours to each other, but we feel every day that we live a very interesting life. He is exactly like me. Also left his country – Germany, moved to Tenerife 2 years ago.”

The story of how they met is interesting – the man wrote to her in the “Facebook” dating section and the two started to correspond. Then he announced that he had to go back to Germany for a while, so communication was a little less frequent.

“After returning from Germany, he came to see me in his campervan, and we both knew right away that we were made for each other. Both of us are already over 50 years old, we don’t have time, to put it bluntly, to brood and think for a long time. It was like this for the first time in my life – I saw a person and instantly understood that I can accept him in everything, that he is my person.”

However, both also agreed that the relationship should be examined.

“We decided to go on a 3-week trip with his car. Not staying in campsites but enjoying real life to have more challenges. We had to get to know each other better in a short time. And how could it be done even better? We didn’t stay in any hotels, no campsites, only uninhabited areas. We had 2 of his dogs with us, we cooked outside, the shower and toilet were right there. It was a wild adventure.

Yes, we also argued and in the end we didn’t understand why we were doing it. When you’re young with rose-colored glasses, you’re looking for temporary excitement, but after 50 it’s possible to pronounce and build things differently. During the trip, we had to decide if we were ready to be together. It wasn’t easy after enjoying my single life so much, which was so simple. But I don’t want it to be simple at all!”

It’s a bit confusing to ask Dace what’s next because she fits in so well today.

Dace’s children are grown up, she is already a grandmother, the children are gone, they rarely meet, but occasionally they visit each other.

Future plans? Never say “never”.

“When I was young, I said that I would work anywhere, but not in a bank. As a result, I worked in the banking system for almost 10 years. That’s when I realized that I shouldn’t use the word “never”. Will I return to Latvia? I do not know. At the moment, I still haven’t even fully settled in here. Time will tell. I am not burdened with belongings and things, I let myself go where life takes me.”