Page 31 - AHATA

A14 LOCAL
Friday 16 November 2018
Sinterklaas is on his way to Aruba

Continued from Page 13 we are all so familiar with.
Additionally, his lithe frame
gave way to a well-pad-
Zwarte Piet ded potbelly, and his trusty
Sinterklaas is assisted by white steed was traded in
many mischievous help- for a troupe of reindeer. Ei-
ers with black faces and ther way, both Sinterklaas
colourful Moorish dresses. and Santa Claus stand for
These companions are the generosity of spirit and
called Zwarte Piet (“Black kindness to children.
Pete”). Zwarte Piet first Sinterklaas will be arriving in
appeared in print as the Aruba on Sunday Novem-
nameless servant of Saint ber 18th 2018 at the Cruise
Nicholas in Sint-Nikolaas en Terminal of the Aruba Ports
zijn knecht (“St. Nicholas Authority at 9 AM. He will
and His Servant/Appren- continue in a caravan go-
tice”), published in 1850 by ing down the L.G. Smith
Amsterdam schoolteacher Boulevard till the Plaza
Jan Schenkman; however, Libertador Betico Croes
the tradition appears to where a big welcome par-
date back at least as far as ty awaits.
the early bischopswijn, is also en- Claus. Historians believe There will be lots of sing-
The Foods of Sinterklaas joyed. that Dutch and German ing, dancing, storytelling,
19th Century.[4] At the Feast of Sinterk- settlers took the tradition a show presented by Sin-
Zwarte Piet’s colourful dress laas, the Dutch indulge Waving a Carrot with them to America. terklaas’ helpers and much
is based on 16th-century in a variety of sweets in- Dutch children believe that There, his Catholic garb was much more. Come and
noble attire, with a ruff (lace cluding cookies, candies, Sinterklaas writes down gradually transformed into enjoy a family day and let
collar) and a feathered and bread. Traditional whether they’ve been the jolly non-sectarian red your children meet Sinterk-
cap. He is typically depict- recipes are speculaas naughty or nice in his red suit with the white fur trim laas and his Black Piets. q
ed carrying a bag which (spiced cookies), kruidno- book. Sinterklaas rides a
contains candy for the chil- ten (mini spiced cookies, white horse, and the chil-
dren. The Zwarte Pieten toss also called ginger nuts), dren put carrots in their
their candy around, a tradi- pepernoten(small aniseed shoes for his horse, hoping
tion supposedly originating flavored honey cookies), St. Nicholas will exchange
in the story of Saint Nicho- taai-taai (aniseed and them for presents if they
las saving three young girls honey flavored figurines), were good.
from prostitution by tossing almond filled pastries,
golden coins through their chocolate letters, and du- Sinterklaas Vs. Santa
window at night to pay ivekater (a festive sweet It is said that Sinterklaas
their dowries. bread). Mulled wine, called was the precursor of Santa

A Wisdom Tidbit

In our pursuit of money, power, making always by your side for your own maturity,
ends meet, happiness, etc., we may be maybe we can recognize this to be true
just going too fast and there may be a after getting hit over our head through the
need to slow down. When one recognizes darkest of days in order for our awakening
this type of insanity that we may be living, to commence.
one may have a chance to transform their The track that we run on is made for us, no
lives, and this is a divine choice that we one else can run on our track, we alone
only can make. need to experience whatever comes
along this track which has been made for
Our circumstances that we experience our spiritual maturity. Nothing is a coinci-
has been arranged by life for us to awaken dence but a synchronicity. The biggest
into our most productive and joyous self. mistakes that we make is actually for one’s
Truly whatever arises in life has been tailor own benefit. Everything is turned to one’s
made for you and within each experience advantage when they meet seemed fail-
is a hidden blessing that needs to emerge ure, turning or transforming it to success.
from the inner chaos onto our lives. All of Life is shaped from inside out and not from
life is here to greet you as a faithful friend, outside in.q

Suresh Mirchumal is a spiritual writer. “Well, you can categorize it like that, although I don’t call
myself one. These thoughts come in effortlessly.” His aim is in a way to reach out to whoever
gets inspired or has an eye opening event within them that may transcend their current state
of consciousness. “Or let’s say current emotional state too. If one in a thousand benefits, that
is already great.” Due to the current world state, lots of struggles and stresses, we seem to
lose touch with that inner peace that we long for, Suresh explains. “I wish to ease that through
these small articles or tidbits.” You will find his tidbits in Aruba Today, like a sunray of the day.
If you wish to make use of Suresh his services like meditation or just a talk, please email to:
Thedimensionofsilence@gmail.com. You can also like his Facebook page Dimension of Silence.