Dushi Bagels, Aruba

Dushi Bagels near the Casa del Mar in the low-rise hotel area of Aruba will satisfy that urge you might have for your favorite baked item. Here’s a photo so you’ll recognize the place.

dushi1As the name implies, they have “authentic New York bagels,” which after being on the island for a while you probably have to have. I stop in here from time to time and have not been disappointed.

dushi2As you can see there is plenty of seating if you want to enjoy your bagel in the sunshine. While we all want to try local cuisine or something different, sometimes its the old favorites that must be satisfied. Give this place a try. It might do the trick.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on February 7, 2009 at 11:58 am  Leave a Comment  
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Fiction Becomes Fact

As the newspaper below tells the story, fiction has become fact. Dechi Bislip, a local fisherman here in Aruba, was separated from his boat off the southeast corner of the island. Bislip comes from a family of strong swimmers and fisherman with roots in the town of Savaneta. Lucky for him. He swam and drifted along the coast of the island, eventually managing to save himself. In my novel, An Island Away, there is a scene where Captain Nathan Beck finds himself adrift at sea a bit farther away than Bislip. However, Beck’s course follows one very similar to Bislip’s. Beck ultimately comes ashore in Savaneta, not far from Bislip’s family homestead. Here is the cover of the Diario that related Bislip’s adventure.

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It’s quite amazing when you think about how some people manage to survive. The warm Caribbean is pleasantly inviting, but it can turn on you. Be careful out there. Stay close to shore, beware of currents, and don’t over exert yourself. As Nathan Beck’s grandfather told him, “Always wear your life preserver.”

Published in: on February 6, 2009 at 10:50 am  Leave a Comment  
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Wok Away, Aruba

Wok Away is a little concept restaurant here in Aruba that I’ve taken a liking to. It’s located on the main road that passes through Santa Cruz. Can’t miss it. Here’s a look at the exterior.

wokawayfrontThere are tables inside and outside. Most of the trade is take out, however. The way things work here is you select a base for your dish, such as rice, noodles, or vegetable mix. Then, you pick and choose items to add: chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, as well as broccoli, bamboo shoots and so on. Finally you choose a sauce: black bean, oyster, sweet and sour, curry and coconut, or terayaki. The guy then makes your meal before your very eyes. Here’s a view of the menu.

wokawaymenuOne order easily feeds two people, especially if you add lots of good things into the mix. This is a great place for that evening take-out when you’re not in the mood for all the trouble of a sit down meal. Enjoy and bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on February 5, 2009 at 12:55 pm  Leave a Comment  
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What a deal!

While knocking around the U.S. National Archives, I found an image of the check the United States paid Russia for Alaska. Have a look.

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It was written for $7.2 million, or about 2 cents an acre. What a deal! The US definitely got the whole kit and kaboodle, everything from fishing grounds, to oil, to polar bears, not to mention 600,000 square miles of turf. And there’s a stamp on that check where it was actually paid and I’m wondering how Russia received the money. Was it greenbacks, gold, or something else. I’ll have to keep looking.

And have a look at that handwriting. Whoever wrote this check wanted the world to be able to read it. Great penmanship! Anyway, just goes to show what a little more than seven million bought back in the day.

Published in: on February 4, 2009 at 11:43 am  Leave a Comment  
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