Page 14 - aruba-today-20180823

A14 LOCAL
Thursday 23 augusT 2018

Exploring the Mainstreet of San Nicolaas

SAN NICOLAAS— Just 19 1960’s. To this day traces The Gold Industry, The Aloe
kilometers southeast from of the multicultural influ- Industry, The Phosphate In-
Oranjestad you will dis- ences in culinary offerings dustry, The Oil Industry and
cover San Nicolaas, also and customs, housing and The Tourism Industry and
known as Sunrise City or population are clearly vis- experience the touching
Chocolate City. A city rich ible in San Nicolaas - more stories of those who were
in authentic culture and is- than anywhere else on the part of this history. Nico-
land charm. San Nicolaas is island. laas Store built in 1940 and
Aruba’s second largest city renovated in 2014 is the
and was once a bustling Flow of history house of the Community
company town dominated If you are looking for his- Museum. The collection is
by the oil industry since the tory San Nicolaas has it. remarkable and spans mil-
early 1930’s. Here you will find two jew- lennia. Ancient fossils stand
els of museums. The Mu- next to tableaus of an au-
Over the course of four de- seum of Industry and The thentically recreated colo-
cades its demographics Community museum all in nial kitchen and bedroom
changed immensely due a short walking distance and 19th-century barber-
to a stream of African/Ca- from each other. The Mu- shop, just to name a few of
ribbean and South Ameri- seum of Industry is situated the examples of old-time
can workers who were at- in the Water Tower in San Aruba that has been pre-
tracted from surrounding Nicolaas and narrates Aru- served. A collection of ar-
islands and countries to ba's industrial history which tifacts and other objects of
fill the jobs in the oil refin- began in the 19th century. artistic, cultural, historical, can be found here for the which reflect the diversifi-
ery between 1920’s and Here you will get to know or scientific importance purpose of education and cation of the Aruban craft
enjoyment. heritage and the artistic
supply of artisans. Don’t
The new San Nicolaas miss out on trying the exqui-
In the shadow of the refin- site food offered by the ca-
ery, an art capital is quietly fes and restaurants or just
beginning to grow. This is enjoy a peaceful walk ad-
the new San Nicolaas, a miring the murals, mosaic
place that is starting to be- benches and all the history
come a magnet for all that San Nicolaas has to offer.
is young, cool and hip in
Aruba. Indeed, San Nico- Experience San Nicolaas
laas has all of the ingredi- Ready to experience
ents of an emerging cul- something different on your
tural hub — varied history, Saturday outing, consider
interesting architecture, San Nicolaas. Fundacion
and, perhaps most impor- Museo Arubano, a non-
tantly, an urban layout that profit organization that aims
makes it walkable. As you to manage, retain and pro-
walk around, the streets are mote Aruba's cultural heri-
silent but the walls are loud, tage, will be holding their
filled with bright, colorful next event this upcoming
murals painted by a collec- Saturday August 25, 2018
tion of artists from around in the city of San Nicolaas.
the world. Thanks to the ef- The event will be from 9AM
forts of various art organiza- till 1PM and starts with a
tions in Aruba, such as Art Museum Bus tour. The tour
Rules Aruba and Aruba Art will start at the museum Fort
Fair, San Nicolaas has had Zoutman & Willem III Toren
quite the aesthetic make- and will continue towards
over with regards to vibrant the Museum of Industry and
street art. Each year more the Community Museum in
and more stunning murals San Nicolaas.
are replacing broken down You will have a chance to
buildings with colorful art sit down and relax at Nico-
pieces that keep brighten- laas Store, and enjoy all the
ing up Sunrise City. MURALS, and afterward
you will be visiting the Sani-
Must See, Do, Buy & Eat market. Here you will find
A little bit of everything can hand-made local artwork,
be found in the main street. home articles, local food
Stores selling shoes, cloth- and so much more. After
ing, jewelry you name it. that we will head back
Arts & crafts by Cosecha downtown to embrace
store & Creative Center, a the Historical Museum.
design store in which you For more info check it out
can immerse yourself in dis- on facebook Fundacion
covering genuine and lo- Museo Arubano or Experi-
cally made arts and crafts ence San Nicolaas.q