Page 7 - AHATA

A8 LOCAL
Saturday 17 February 2024

Aruban legends:

Frenchman’s Pass

heavily equipped with fire ing almost ghost-like in the his experience. Everyone
arms, the indigenous set- rain. However, since he grew quiet, because they
tlers began to retreat, and needed a ride real bad, realized he wasn’t some
hid away in nearby caves. he didn’t think twice and drunk messing around; he
The French colonizers tried jumped in. But to his horror, was telling the truth.
to smoke them out of the he noticed that the there
caves, but the indigenous was no driver in the front. Sometime later, two men
settlers ended up inhal- Paralyzed with fear, he walked into the bar and
ing too much smoke and didn’t dare to get out, and one of them noticed the
most died in those caves. the car started to move. hitchhiker. He called out to
From then on, this passage his buddy and said: “Look,
was known as Frenchman’s When approaching a there’s the idiot who sat
Pass, and there have been sharp turn, the hitch hiker in our car when we were
many accounts of spirits braced for impact, but just pushing it!”
roaming the area of Span- when he though the car
ish Lagoon. might drive straight off the French man’s pass is one
road and crash, he saw a of the few sites on the is-
(Oranjestad)—If you ever There are many ghost sto- hand appear out the win- land that keeps the locals
plan on taking a group The history of the French- ries surrounding this area, dow and turn the wheel. on their toes. While most
tour of the island, you may man’s pass—and how it got but one of the most famous For the next few turns, the ghost stories may not have
pass through the French- its name—dates back to one involves a lonely hitch- hand appeared again. Af- real grounds—or some may
man’s Pass in Balashi. The the colonization era, when hiker, trying to find a ride ter having had enough, the even be a set up story for a
Frenchman’s pass (known the French tried to colo- back home in the dark man decided to jump out joke, this pass contributes a
to locals as “Franse Pas”) nize the island, but were rainy night. and he ran to Santa Cruz. lot to our culture of folkloric
remains a mysterious—and met with an angry mob of story-telling.
spooky—road of which its indigenous settlers, refusing Sometime after trying to Arriving at a nearby bar, Source: visitaruba.com
legend is told from genera- to give up their land. How- hitchhike, the man saw a he ordered a drink and be-
tion to generation. ever, as the French were car approaching, appear- gan to tell everyone about

Aruba Tourism Authority honors loyal visitors at

the Aruba Beach Club!

The Aruba Tourism Authority re- follows: ing the Aruba Tourism Authority, • Aruba’s warm & friendly
cently had the great pleasure of and members of the Aruba Beach people
recognizing Emerald Ambassa- Distinguished Visitor (10>years Club bestowed the honor certifi- • Aruba’s delicious variety of
dors of Aruba. These ambassadors consecutively visiting Aruba) cate to the honorees, presented foods
were honored with a certificate Goodwill Ambassador (20>years them with gifts, and also thanked • Aruba’s safety
acknowledging their years of vis- consecutively visiting Aruba) them for choosing Aruba as their
its, loyalty, and love for the island Emerald Ambassador (35>years favorite vacation destination as
of Aruba. consecutively visiting Aruba) their home awayfrom-home.

The honor certification is presented Honorees were: Top reasons for returning to Aruba,
on behalf of the Minister of Tourism provided by the honorees were:
as a token of appreciation and to Emerald Ambassador (35> years
say “Masha Danki” to guests who consecutively visiting Aruba) The Mismas’:
have visited Aruba 10, 20, or 35 Mr. Leon & Mrs. Susan Mismas from • Aruba’s year-round sunny
years or more consecutively. Connecticut, United States. weather
• Aruba’s nice sandy beach-
The three honoring levels are as Ms. Marouska Heyliger represent- es and picturesque sunsets