A Few Churches, Aruba

Many posts ago, I showed an image of a small Protestant Church located here in Aruba. This time, I’m going to show several Catholic Churches. Aruba, with is various cultures, hosts a number of religions. However, given the strong Spanish influence, many people belong to the Catholic faith. Here is one of the large churches located in the town of Noord.

As casual as the island is, many local people dress in their finest for Sunday services, including the children. This is a pleasant sight, as is the devotion they express when filling such large buildings. Here’s another church, this one located in Paradera.

Most all of these churches have schools attached to them. The children don uniforms and file into class carrying their books in “brief cases,” which may be a good thing in that it reminds them of the seriousness of education. Here is one more church, this time in Santa Cruz.

Of course, there are cemeteries beside these churches. In Aruba, just like New Orleans, the tombs are mostly above ground. We’ll take a look at some of those eerie spaces in future posts.

Published in: on August 1, 2008 at 1:20 pm  Comments (1)  
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Natural Bridge, Aruba

The natural bridge in Aruba, the one you probably heard of, fell down a few years ago. But don’t worry, nature is scarfing out another one that is destined to be just as beautiful. Here’s a look at the one that still stands on the eastern edge of the island.

The one that fell down was only a few yards away, and here is what’s left of it.

Luckily it fell down in the middle of the night, like so many things do, and no one was injured. This side of Aruba faces into the trade winds. The seas are driven on the shore with spectacular results, like these natural bridges that are cut from the rock. You’ll see water shooting straight up as it crashes over the rocks. The vistas can be striking, especially early in the morning. Most guided tours of the island bring you to this spot.

As you may have suspected, there is place to buy trinkets and use the toilet. It’s called the Thirst-Aid Station and I recommend you avail yourself of the facilities before you head on with your jaunt.

If you have been reading this blog for any amount of time, you know that it is the perfect place for an ICE-COLD Coca-Cola. I’ve had a few here with friends and family and so should you.

Published in: on July 27, 2008 at 5:42 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Vesuvio Bakery, NYC

The Vesuvio Bakery in New York City has got to be one of the best in the city. It’s in SoHo and got on my list of go-to places for high quality carbs after my other place, Zito’s on Bleeker Street closed. (Zito used to make a prusciuto bread that would knock your taste buds out!) Here’s a look at Vesuvio’s front window on Prince Street.

You may have seen a post card of this shot, taken in winter time. If not, let’s go in for a closer examination of the breads on offer.

Holy-carbo-overload-moly! Yeah, that and imagine how good this place smells. Warm bread, fresh from the oven, sesame seed overtones. Delicious! Enough to make your stomach do flips. I always like this photo that is propped in the front window, too.

Proud owner and his children from days gone buy. Talk about the American dream, and still going strong. Places like this and the previously posted Murray’s Cheese Shop are just one of the million things that make New York City the great city that it is.

Published in: on July 26, 2008 at 3:30 pm  Comments (1)  
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What A Letter!

Here is a photo of a framed letter that hangs in Charlie’s Bar, San Nicolaas, Aruba. This letter is one of the most amazing documents I’ve seen over the years. Tells you just how memorable a place can be. Enlarge the photo by clicking on it, and discover what this man has to say.

Imagine being a sixteen-year-old merchant mariner, ending up in a place like Aruba several times during wartime. Amazing. This is the stuff great stories are made of and is one of the reasons why I like San Nicolaas, specifically, and Aruba in general. It is a crossroads. A small place, but also an important one at times, as it was in the Second World War.

And the weather is pretty nice, too.

Published in: on July 25, 2008 at 10:58 am  Comments (1)  
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