The Bent Page

Ever wonder… what happened to the people who abandoned a house you’ve seen? Here in Aruba, I come across the ruins of old homes from time to time. Judging by the style of construction, they are at least 80 to 100 years old. And given the condition they’re in, they must have been forgotten for at least 30 years. Here is one particular example.

This old cunucu house has suffered it’s share of abuse. The roof is gone. The east wall is pitching outward. Even the wall of the cistern has a crumbling corner. Of course the windows have disappeared. But if you peek in, you’ll see remnants of life inside. Take a look through the wall.

There are shades of paint on those walls. The lower portion featured a different color than the upper, indicating someone had a sense of style. Further on, in the distance is yet another color. Seeing these details leaves me wondering what happened to the people who lived here. They invested their lives into this house, chose the colors, ate their meals, slept under its roof. And yet, at some point, they left, never to return, never to leave the place in care of someone else.

It’s easy to think that hard times befell the former residents, or perhaps a tragedy. However, it’s also possible they inherited a fortune and left for some grand residence in another part of the world. Or, maybe they found somewhere new to live, one which provided them with so much more that their beginnings became irrelevant.

Either way, it is fascinating to think that someone would simply walk away from a perfectly serviceable dwelling, leaving the elements of nature to ultimately reclaim it. I have more photos like this and a few stories to tell about them. Keep checking for updates.