Page 18 - AHATA

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LOCAL Wednesday 14 May 2025

Exploring the Mainstreet of San Nicolas

SAN NICOLAS— At Just 11 ness center. Experience the
miles southeast from Oran- touching stories of those who
jestad you will enter the city were part of this history.
San Nicolas, also known as Nicolaas Store built in 1940
Sunrise City or Chocolate and renovated in 2014 is the
City. A city that is rich in home of the Community
authentic culture and is- Museum. The collection is
land charm. San Nicolas is remarkable and spans mil-
Aruba’s second largest city lennia. Ancient fossils stand
and was once a bustling next to tableaus of an au-
company town dominated thentically recreated colo- new San Nicolas, a place the aesthetic makeover with
by the oil industry since the nial kitchen and bedroom that is starting to become a regards to vibrant street art.
early 1930’s. and 19th-century barber- magnet for all that is young, Each year more and more
if you are looking for history shop, just to name a few of cool and hip in Aruba. In- stunning murals are replac-
Over the course of four de- San Nicolas has it. Here you the items of old-time Aruba deed, San Nicolas has all of ing broken down buildings
cades, its demographics had will find three amazing mu- that has been preserved. A the ingredients of an emerg- with colorful art pieces that
changed immensely due to seums, The Museum of Indus- collection of artifacts and ing cultural hub — varied his- keep brightening up Sun-
a stream of Afro-Caribbean try, the Community Museum other objects of artistic, cul- tory, interesting architecture, riseCity.
and South American workers and the Carnival Euphoria, tural, historical, or scientific and, perhaps most impor-
who came to fill the jobs in all within walking distance importance can be found tantly, an urban layout that Must See, Do, Buy & Eat
the oil refinery between the from one another. here for the purpose of edu- makes it walkable. As you A little bit of everything can
1920’s until the 1960’s. To this The Museum of Industry is cation or enjoyment. walk around, the streets are be found in the main street.
day traces of the multicul- situated in the Water Tower Carnival Euphoria is show- silent but the walls are loud, Stores selling shoes, clothing,
tural influences in culinary of- in San Nicolas and narrates casing Aruba’s Carnival. See filled with bright, colorful mu- jewelry you name it. Don’t
ferings and customs, housing Aruba's industrial history how are Carnival has devel- rals painted by a collection miss out on trying the exqui-
and population are clearly which began in the 19th oped over the past 65 years. of artists from around the site food offered by the cafes
visible in San Nicolas - more century. Here you will learn world. Thanks to the efforts and restaurants or just enjoy
than anywhere else on the about gold, aloe, phos- The new San Nicolas of various art organizations a peaceful walk admiring
island. phate, oil and the tourism In the shadow of the refin- in Aruba, such as Art Rules the murals, mosaic benches
industries which made San ery, an art capital is quietly Aruba and Aruba Art Fair, and all the history San Nico-
Flow of history Nicolas once a bustling busi- beginning to grow. This is the San Nicolas has had quite las has to offer.q

A quick snack for the road: Learn how to make the Aruban Pastechi!

(Oranjestad)—If you ever 0.5 cup of melted butter ready when it doesn’t stick a simple cheese filling. For pastechi if you are to store
been to Aruba before, you 1 cup water to your hands or the surface this, we usually use shredded them on top of one another.
probably heard of (and even 1 egg on which you’re kneading it. Gouda, but feel free to use This way the pastechis don’t
tried) the Aruban Pastechi. Let your dough rest covered any cheese that melts well stick to each other when de-
Beloved by young and old, Directions: for 15-20 minutes. when frying the pastry. frosting.
this tasty treat is a staple for Sift your flour into a bowl and
party snacks, a quick lunch add all the dry ingredients After resting, divide your Place the filling on your rolled Here in Aruba we enjoy
or even breakfast! before giving it a quick mix. dough into approximately out piece of dough, fold it pastechi at any time of the
Next add the butter, water 100 gram balls and roll it in half and pinch the sides day, but it has become al-
Here’s how to make the and egg and mix until thor- flat with a rolling pin. The shut with a fork. If you have most tradition to eat paste-
Pastechi dough. oughly combined. At this thickness of the pastechi a folding tool, feel free to use chis for breakfast on the
point, your dough will start depends on your taste, but it for this process. Your paste- way to work. Many road-
Ingredients: to get sticky; time for an arm the average thinness would chi is ready for the fryer! side snack trucks sell paste-
4 cups of wheat flour workout. Knead your dough be around ¼ inch or so. chi from early morning to
1 tbsp baking powder (if us- into the bowl you are using If you want to store some noon, and offer a variety of
ing self-rising flour, omit bak- or on a clean surface with Filling for the pastechis varies pastechis for later use, you fillings like cheese; ham and
ing powder) some flour lightly dusted according to your taste. The can freeze them. A good tip cheese; ground beef and
1 tsp salt until its surface is smooth. easiest and most common is to place a piece of wax pulled chicken to name a
1 tbsp sugar You'll know your dough is filling you’ll find in Aruba is paper in between each few. q