Cunucu Houses, Part 1

My house in Aruba is located in the town of Savaneta, which I mentioned in some other posts. The house itself is rather nondescript. (I might also mention that it is a work in progress with regards to remodeling it.) However, as this is one of the oldest towns on the island there are a number of interesting homes around.

This example is one that sits directly at the edge of the sea. Large boulders were incorporated into the wall structure giving texture to the exterior.

Gives it a bit of a different look from the smooth walls seen in most buildings. Then there is this one, which looks to have been expanded at some point.

Sometimes you’ll find the kitchen built at one end, with a masonry oven jutting out. Given the strong sunshine found at Aruba’s latitude, any extra heat quickly builds inside so it is best to keep the oven as far from the living area as possible. This next one was built in 1922 and is well cared for.

Over the years I’ve seen more coats of paint go on this house than any other. The owners keep the flowers blooming, too, which adds another welcoming element. The owner of the house below chose a different color for his roof tiles and that makes it stand out.

That blue/green just says, “cool,” doesn’t it? Notice the flowers all lined up in pots. Finally, take a look at a house that is going through a complete rehabilitation. This thing was taken down to the bare walls. Even the roof was removed. At this point, they have a long way to go.

Nonetheless, that roof is now in good shape, the windows have been properly framed out, and the front wall is looking solid. In another six months or so this place will be another gem and I’ll post an update. I hope to go inside for interior photos.

As this blog continues, I’ll be adding more photos of traditional and new homes that can be found in Aruba. Stay tuned.

Published in: on July 12, 2008 at 10:07 am  Leave a Comment  
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Eagle Beach, Aruba

Eagle Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Aruba. The sand here is powder soft. The Caribbean Sea that laps the shore is bath-water warm. This photo is taken from far away simply to show the expanse of the beach, which goes on for a couple of miles.

As you can see toward the left of the frame, there are number of palapa huts set up if you want to get out of the sun. Further down, there is only sand and more sand. Notice there is a gentle swell to the sea. Most of the time in Aruba, this is what it is like. You can swim or float along at your leisure.

In the distance you’ll see a tower crane that stands at a location where another condo project is being built. Don’t let this discourage you. The beach does get crowded from time to time, but that is only an opportunity to make new friends and share the relaxation of coming to a place like Aruba.

As always, enjoy your vacation responsibly. Go with the flow, be prepared for diversions, and remember you’re here for the fun of it.

Published in: on July 10, 2008 at 1:21 pm  Comments (2)  
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An Island Away, Excerpt 1

Chapter 1: Charlie and his cat, Screwball, are on his balcony, looking over the town of San Nicolaas, Aruba, the principal setting for my novel, An Island Away.

Charlie lived in a place where the illegal was legal, where the immoral was moral, and where some people’s fantasies were other people’s realities. So, he lived every day in anticipation of the fantastic. And why not? It was the night before his birthday, the start of another year in a place where anything could happen.

…a little further on….

A car rolled beneath his balcony, flashed its signal, and turned right. Charlie watched his lifelong friend Sam park at the end of the block. He couldn’t help but smile at the man’s reliability and persistence. No one but Sam took the time to make his birthday a grand affair. Unfortunately, and despite Charlie’s constant warnings, Sam fell prey to indomitable emotions with regard to the girls working in San Nicolaas and frequently found himself miserably heartbroken, a condition Charlie studiously avoided.

“Thanks to Sam, we’re in for a nice time,” Charlie said to Screwball. “Unless something else comes up. You never know. Eh? Let’s hope we have a party and something else.”

The cat shifted on the parapet, licked his forepaw, and once again put his head upon it.

Something else? Charlie asked himself. What could it be? Well, this town was named San Nicolaas and not for the Jolly Old Saint Nicolas the Americans called Santa Claus. Nonetheless, the town gave its gifts (such as they were) to one and all, Charlie included. Christmas was every night of the week, every day of the year, with the exception of the actual Christmas Day, New Year’s, Carnival Saturday, and Easter Sunday. And on those days, too, an enterprising man need only walk the lane known as Rembrandtstraat, peek into the caged halls leading to the rooms upstaris, and call out. Someone would unlock the door, lead the man  inside, and provide the service of the oldest profession. The experience could be another meaningless act, or it might change somebody’s life. As he knew, the outcome depended on the man, the woman, and the people in between.

Charlie stubbed out his cigarette and looked over the street one more time. “Welcome to San Nicolaas,” he said, “We’re open for business.”

Published in: on June 28, 2008 at 2:08 pm  Leave a Comment  
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