This is one of my favorite destinations. The beautiful island of Curacao, a Dutch Caribbean island, with its pastel-colored colonial architecture and crystal clear beaches that are scattered all along their southwestern coastline. The view is of Willemstad, its capital.
Handelskade, the multi-colored buildings on the waterfront that is Curaçao’s most characteristic image. When I think of Curacao, this is what I see.
On 10th October 2010, the island of Curaçao became a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curacao is only 40 miles (64 km) long with a population of 130,000 people, most of them living in or around the capital of Willemstad. The town is truly charming and in many ways, a hidden gem. Although there is a definite tourist trade going on, I find it less crowded than most of the islands. Of course, I walked through the Old Town, where there are fewer crowds and more colorful scenery. People chat with me all along the way and are always extremely helpful, some even walking me to my destination so I wouldn't get lost. They have no idea that I am perpetually lost! It's my thing. I should have a GPS implanted.
if you can close your eyes and imagine that in the bigger scheme of things, where logic stands clear, the streets can be appreciated fully if given a half a chance. They are not new, many are being rehabbed and some are for sale, piles of rubble just waiting to be put back together again. The city is filled with history and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Historical meets modern influences, but, somehow, it works nicely.
Today is #MarketFriday initiated by 
Hive account@dswigle (Denise, that's me!!) Join me as we share our markets across the globe. I always look forward to seeing what you send me! It is amazing to see different markets and cultures of our friends here on Hive.
The Queen Emma pontoon bridge is a quirkily swing bridge that opens up to boat traffic. It also allows pedestrian traffic to enter the downtown area of the city. If you don't get across the bridge when the signal warns you it is opening, you are stuck until the water traffic clears. They put flags up, a small boat and the operator puts up a yellow flag, a long one for ocean-going traffic, and a red one is put up. The red-flagged ships can take long, so during this time a free ferry operates to carry you to the other side. It can be five minutes or a half-hour- take the ferry! I got stuck out there the first time I went across and, just because I am a slow learner, the last time I was there.
STOP!! BRAIN TEASER AHEAD!!
Question: What has a face, but, no body?
source
Answer! Can you guess??? A Dice has 6 faces since it is a cuboid. It does not have a body. The numbers on each face sums up to 21 and are referred to as eyes, but, you cannot see through them. !!
There is love in the splash of color in an otherwise lonely alley. I walk through the back alleys, enjoying the view that has been offered to me. The artist is Nena Sanchez and you will find her 3D work outside her store and in between the alleyways. She is well-known locally for her sunflowers, birds, and some amazing butterflies. I think it adds life to an otherwise empty alleyway This is such a scenic little town to walk through. Who could resist the colors and the wild plants painted on the building? There is happiness all around, the people treat you with kindness and there is always a smile. How can you not love it? One of the gathering places, where everyone comes to see and be seen.
By Caribbean standards, Curacao has had the highest per capita income in the Caribbean every year since 1920. That is impressive! It is very evident with few if any street people beggars and peddlers in sight.
In the old section of town, the barbershop is a favorite gathering place, even if you don't need a haircut. You will find it down the alley, off the main street, its telltale barber pole outside the door. I am really a fan of the distinctive European architectural style found in this part of town. At one time, they had a white limestone finish, and eventually it was banned as it was making glare for the eyes. The turned to the happy colors of today, predominantly red, blue, greens of different shades, yellow, and okra. Such a vibrant little place.
You can do the beautiful waterfront and shopping, but, don't forget to check out their historical section. It is picturesque, and being revitalized every day. The people are friendly and helpful and a part of me wants to buy one of those little places and call it home.
Rules of the Road
Go to the market, or anywhere that you pay money for a service.
Take pictures! Be creative (or not, we don't judge!)
Tell us a little bit about the market, what brought you here?
Post the picture(s)
Use the MarketFriday Community Platform to post #hive-196308
Or drop the link into the MarketFriday post so I can find it
Have fun!
Please leave the link to your post here so it can easily be found by others. It helps you and me to have them in one place. Where else can you take such a quick trip around the globe? Thank you so much for joining us!! ❤
The yellow building is a very distinctive Curaçao Baroque style of architecture. Most have the curved Dutch gable. This building is called the Penha building which was built in 1708 and is considered one of the best examples of this architecture.
The historic townscape has changed little, although each time I go back, more and more renovations are being made, taking the broken buildings and making them usable and beautifying the historic little town once again.
Some like this were almost rubble, but, it was for sale - and I am excited to see what it looks like when it is sold and renovated. I walked around it and it has nice lines. Yes, I would buy it. Don't judge.
I thought I recognized some words, but, really, I didn't. I was expecting Dutch the first time I came. They officially speak Papiamento, but most, if not all understand English. I never take that for granted though.
Papiamento or Papiamentu is a Portuguese-based creole language spoken in the Dutch Caribbean. It is the most widely spoken language on the Caribbean ABC islands, having official status in Aruba and Curaçao. Papiamento is also a recognized language in the Dutch public bodies of Bonaire, Sint-Eustatius, and Saba. source
Crash course in Papiamento:
Welcome: Bon Bini
Good morning: Bon dia
Goodbye: Ayo
Thank you very much: Masha danki
You're welcome: Na bo ordo
Yes/No Si/No
Please: Por fabor
Have a nice day: Pasa un bon dia
How are you doing?: Kon ta bai? source
We are through with Curacao for this #MarketFriday. Thank you for joining me as I perused around the island! And just like that, this show is over. Come back tomorrow and we will do it again. The market? Oh, yes! Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market! Thank you for supporting the challenge! Have a most fabulous day! Just remember! #MarketFriday loves you!
I have been discovering new places, every day! I love to share and be shared with! I am intrigued by different cultures. It is exciting and yes! I would love to see yours! Don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery store, the local marketplace, or even an art gallery, a kite festival! Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market!
Even though many places have been cleared to carry on as normal, please wear a mask when you go out and use proper social distancing.
Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Because of you, I come back to post again and again, I am encouraged by you, for the time you take to visit, comment or even upvote. For all of these reasons, I am eternally grateful. Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Some days, it is not as easy to see, how wonderful it really is. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.
they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?
i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.
later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,
"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"
warsan shire
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