Page 12 - AHATA

a8 local
Wednesday 16 OctOber 2024

Forgotten gems

Open air movie theaters

(Oranjestad)—During the Pan-Am Club. It was at this
span of over 100 years, theater that “Talkies” were
Aruba only saw five open air first streamed, movies with
movie theatres. Now practi- sound. This theater mostly
cally obsolete on the island, streamed American block-
these theaters were once fre- busters for the American ex-
quently visited by locals and pats, this way making sure
migrants in the 20th century. that these migrant were not
missing out on entertainment
The first open air theater from their home land.
was constructed in 1920 the Marinier’s Kazerne (Ma-
and was commissioned by In the 1950’s and 60’s, Sava- rine Barracks). This theater This theater closed around
Shon Eduard (Eddy) de Veer. neta saw their own open air was mostly visited by the 2012, but was re-opened
This theater was located at theater, located in front of neighboring marines, who during the pandemic in
the Hotel Colombia in Oran- didn’t have much entertain- July 2020, where movies
jestad, which is now where ment other than movies at were streamed on a gigan-
the Aruban census office is that time. tic screen set up in front of
located. The theater was stacked containers. How-
simple; it only consisted of The last and most recent ever, this nostalgic form of
a screen, and visitors had open air theater was con- entertainment did not last
to bring their own chairs to structed in the form of a very long as it was closed
enjoy the popular silent mov- drive-in theater. A popular again only a year or two
ies of the time.
American concept, the Drive later. Nowadays you can
Inn located in Balashi was a still see the stacked contain-
American migrants who hot spot for teenagers, who ers when you drive near the
worked in the refinery and had the habit of cramming bridge in Balashi.
lived in the Lago Colony all their friends in one car to
in Sero Colorado also had go see the movies. For this Source: “De kolibrie op de
their piece of the pie with phenomenon there was rots en meer over de geschie-
their Open air Theatre, a separate price that you denis van Aruba” by Evert
which formed part of the had to pay called the “car Bongers.
Esso Club, also known as the
crash”.

Aruban snacks and where to find them

ORANJESTAD — Want to is filled with cheese, meat, Huchada in Santa Cruz or the main road).
taste something different chicken, veggies and Pastechi House in the city
for a change? How about sometimes even fish! Or per- center. These places may If you are looking for some-
some Aruban snacks that haps you might want to try also sell other snacks and thing a bit more fresh and
you can find all around the a croquette, locally called sandwiches too, perfect for healthy, why not try some
island? Hop in your car, and a “kroket,” which is a crusty on-the-road lunch break. coconuts, or shaved ice
go to these locations to find fried snack with typically a from local vendors? These 4. At the Alto Vista Cha-
some of the most popular meat and dough mix filling. While you’re at it, why not vendors carry their little pel.
and tasty snacks that are The Aruban kroket is based accompany your snack shop at the back of their
beloved by our locals. on its Dutch counterpart, with a refreshing “batido”? truck, so they are ever- These vendors may also sell
the “bitterbal”. Batidos are fruit shakes, moving around the island. other delights, like the be-
One of the staples of Aru- typically made with added However, there are a few loved coconut-based des-
ban cuisine and snacks is These two snacks are typi- milk for some creaminess. spots where you can al- sert “cocada” or peanuts.
the Pastechi. Pastechi is a cally found in all local snack However, you can also ask most always find a coco- All in all, in Aruba, you can
Caribbean fried pastry that trucks, which can be found to hold the milk. Batidos are nut/shaved ice vendor: always find some place
all over the island, including commonly found in snack 1. Right next to the Red to take a break and have
on the side of the main road shops too. You may find Anchor in San Nicolas, a bite of something local,
that stretches from San some batido shops next the on the way to Baby you maybe just might have
Nicolas to the Hotel Area. flee markets downtown, or Beach. to look for them!q
You can also find pastechis if you’re on your way to San 2. Along the main road
and krokets at local bak- Nicolas, at Mauchi Smooth- next to the airport field. Photo credit:
eries and snack shops, like ies and Juice Bar in Sava- 3. At the California Light wheninaruba.com
Bright Bakery in Piedra Plat, neta (located at the side of House.