Page 24 - ATA

A16 LOCAL
Monday 15 July 2019

Exploring the Mainstreet of San Nicolas

SAN NICOLAS— At Just Over the course of four than anywhere else on the
11 miles southeast from decades, its demographics island.
Oranjestad you will enter had changed immensely
the city San Nicolas, also due to a stream of Afro- Flow of history
known as Sunrise City or Caribbean and South if you are looking for history
Chocolate City. A city that American workers who San Nicolas has it. Here
is rich in authentic culture came to fill the jobs in the you will find three amazing
and island charm. San oil refinery between the museums, The Museum of
Nicolas is Aruba’s second 1920’s until the 1960’s. Industry, the Community
largest city and was once To this day traces of the Museum and the Carnival
a bustling company town multicultural influences Euphoria, all within walking
dominated by the oil in culinary offerings and distance from one another.
industry since the early customs, housing and The Museum of Industry
1930’s. population are clearly is situated in the Water narrates Aruba's industrial an emerging cultural hub
visible in San Nicolas - more Tower in San Nicolas and history which began in the — varied history, interesting
19th century. Here you will architecture, and, perhaps
learn about gold, aloe, most importantly, an
phosphate, oil and the urban layout that makes
tourism industries which it walkable. As you walk
made San Nicolas once around, the streets are silent
a bustling business center. but the walls are loud, filled
Experience the touching with bright, colorful murals
stories of those who were painted by a collection
part of this history. of artists from around the
world. Thanks to the efforts
Nicolaas Store built in 1940 of various art organizations
and renovated in 2014 is the in Aruba, such as Art Rules
home of the Community Aruba and Aruba Art Fair,
Museum. The collection San Nicolas has had quite
is remarkable and spans the aesthetic makeover
millennia. Ancient fossils with regards to vibrant
stand next to tableaus of street art. Each year more
an authentically recreated and more stunning murals
colonial kitchen and are replacing broken down
bedroom and 19th-century buildings with colorful
barbershop, just to name art pieces that keep
a few of the items of old- brightening up SunriseCity.
time Aruba that has been
preserved. A collection of Must See, Do, Buy & Eat
artifacts and other objects A little bit of everything
of artistic, cultural, historical, can be found in the main
or scientific importance street. Stores selling shoes,
can be found here for the clothing, jewelry you name
purpose of education or it. Arts & crafts by Cosecha
enjoyment. store & Creative Center,
Carnival Euphoria is a design store in which
showcasing Aruba’s you can immerse yourself
Carnival. See how are in discovering genuine
Carnival has developed and locally made arts
over the past 65 years. and crafts which reflect
the diversification of the
The new San Nicolas Aruban craft heritage
In the shadow of the and the artistic supply of
refinery, an art capital is artisans. Don’t miss out on
quietly beginning to grow. trying the exquisite food
This is the new San Nicolas, offered by the cafes and
a place that is starting to restaurants or just enjoy a
become a magnet for all peaceful walk admiring the
that is young, cool and hip in murals, mosaic benches
Aruba. Indeed, San Nicolas and all the history San
has all of the ingredients of Nicolas has to offer.q