Faith, Folklore, and Friends

    Aruba is the last island we visited on this cruise.  It is part of the Southern Caribbean chain of the Lesser Antilles.  Like Curacao, it is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.       Sometimes, it felt more like Arizona than a Caribbean island. Because of the arid climate, there is no farming done and all their food has to be imported. The only grass I saw was at resorts; most people there can't afford to waste water on grass. The California Lighthouse, named after a shipwreck near the site.     Open bazaars selling items from China. The downtown area is modern with high-end shopping and casinos.   I wonder how many years it will be before I can hear "Aruba" without instantly thinking of Natalie Holloway.

  Curacao is prosperous and beautiful, but different from the other islands I have visited.  It is more arid than tropical, and the Dutch influence is everywhere.  In 1634, the Dutch West India Company claimed Curacao and began to settle it, although the island had been inhabited by many different people long before then.  The island is larger than some we visited with 171 square miles. We docked in Willemstad.    The citizens come from diverse backgrounds and religions.  By fourth grade, children can speak Dutch, Spanish,  English, and the local dialect, Papiamentu.    I'm always trying to get bird pictures for my friends, but I have never been very successful at it.  Steph, these are for you--it was the best I could do.    There is an open air market along the wharf where merchants sell vegetables and fruits from Venezuela, which is 177 miles south of the island. T...