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LOCAL Tuesday 15 OcTOber 2019

A scientific journey across the island- Part II Episode 39

Continued from Page 14

“At half past five we arrived at Fontein, just
in time to write up our diaries before going
to rest and to bestow the stones safely, as
it is better, considering the extremely primi-
tive conditions of life here, to do by day-
light than when darkness has set in. At Fon-
tein in particular this proved to be the best
thing, for only here did we fully perceive
how little prepared we were for anything
in the nature of a journey of some days on
Aruba. This realization came upon us un-
awares; neither on Curacao nor during our
short stay at Oranjestad had we gained an
insight into the true poverty of the island.
Thanks to the good care of Evertsz of Colo-
rado, who had given our guide some ad-
ditional provisions along on his way, we at
least had something to eat. One half of a
pewter spoon of which the front half, the
one normally used to scoop up the food,
was lacking, our clasp-knives, a small bowl
and an old water-jug, such was our table-
ware…

This story will continue.
To get to know more about Aruba’s stories
of origins, about animals and culture, art
and desert gardens, visit our native at Etnia
Nativa. Our renowned cultural encounter
session has beenq Pic.4. Fontein. The fresh water fountain now part of Arikok Nagtinal Park