Page 9 - AHATA

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local Thursday 9 January 2025

Exploring the Mainstreet of San Nicolas

beginning to grow. This is the world. Thanks to the ef- ing, jewelry you name it.
the new San Nicolas, a forts of various art organiza- Arts & crafts by Cosecha
place that is starting to be- tions in Aruba, such as Art store & Creative Center, a
come a magnet for all that Rules Aruba and Aruba Art design store in which you
is young, cool and hip in Fair, San Nicolas has had can immerse yourself in dis-
Aruba. Indeed, San Nicolas quite the aesthetic make- covering genuine and lo-
has all of the ingredients of over with regards to vibrant cally made arts and crafts
an emerging cultural hub street art. Each year more which reflect the diversifi-
— varied history, interest- and more stunning mu- cation of the Aruban craft
ing architecture, and, per- rals are replacing broken heritage and the artistic
haps most importantly, an down buildings with col- supply of artisans. Don’t
urban layout that makes orful art pieces that keep miss out on trying the ex-
it walkable. As you walk brightening up SunriseCity. quisite food offered by the
around, the streets are si- cafes and restaurants or just
SAN NICOLAS— At Just The Museum of Industry is lent but the walls are loud, Must See, Do, Buy & Eat enjoy a peaceful walk ad-
11 miles southeast from situated in the Water Tower filled with bright, colorful A little bit of everything can miring the murals, mosaic
Oranjestad you will enter in San Nicolas and narrates murals painted by a collec- be found in the main street. benches and all the history
the city San Nicolas, also Aruba's industrial history tion of artists from around Stores selling shoes, cloth- San Nicolas has to offer.q
known as Sunrise City or which began in the 19th
Chocolate City. A city that century. Here you will learn
is rich in authentic culture about gold, aloe, phos-
and island charm. San phate, oil and the tourism
Nicolas is Aruba’s second industries which made San
largest city and was once Nicolas once a bustling
a bustling company town business center. Experience
dominated by the oil indus- the touching stories of those
try since the early 1930’s. who were part of this history.
Nicolaas Store built in 1940
Over the course of four de- and renovated in 2014 is the
cades, its demographics home of the Community
had changed immensely Museum. The collection is
due to a stream of Afro-Ca- remarkable and spans mil-
ribbean and South Ameri- lennia. Ancient fossils stand
can workers who came to next to tableaus of an au-
fill the jobs in the oil refinery thentically recreated colo-
between the 1920’s until the nial kitchen and bedroom
1960’s. To this day traces of and 19th-century barber-
the multicultural influences shop, just to name a few of
in culinary offerings and the items of old-time Aruba
customs, housing and pop- that has been preserved. A
ulation are clearly visible collection of artifacts and
in San Nicolas - more than other objects of artistic,
anywhere else on the island. cultural, historical, or sci-
entific importance can be
Flow of history found here for the purpose
if you are looking for his- of education or enjoyment.
tory San Nicolas has it. Here Carnival Euphoria is show-
you will find three amazing casing Aruba’s Carnival. See
museums, The Museum of how are Carnival has devel-
Industry, the Community oped over the past 65 years.
Museum and the Carnival The new San Nicolas
Euphoria, all within walking In the shadow of the refin-
distance from one another. ery, an art capital is quietly