Category Archives: Holidays
603. Curaçao’s ‘Forbidden’ New Year’s Tradition
Prolific Dutch writer Jan Brokken once described this forbidden new year’s tradition in all its culturally sensitive glory: “though man and woman don’t touch each other during tambú dance, they move more provocatively than a Dutch couple making love.” This form of recreation and
603. Curaçao’s ‘Forbidden’ New Year’s Tradition
Prolific Dutch writer Jan Brokken once described this forbidden new year’s tradition in all its culturally sensitive glory: “though man and woman don’t touch each other during tambú dance, they move more provocatively than a Dutch couple making love.” This form of recreation and
605. Pan de Jamón
Throughout the month of December, Curaçaoan bakeries bake countless loaves of pan de jamón: sweet dough rolls containing ham, olives, raisins and sometimes bacon (!). Served alongside ayakas, pernil (roast pork) and ponche crema (eggnog) on Noche Buena (Christmas Eve), pan de jamón hails from Venezuela. It is relatively simple to prepare
605. Pan de Jamón
Throughout the month of December, Curaçaoan bakeries bake countless loaves of pan de jamón: sweet dough rolls containing ham, olives, raisins and sometimes bacon (!). Served alongside ayakas, pernil (roast pork) and ponche crema (eggnog) on Noche Buena (Christmas Eve), pan de jamón hails from Venezuela. It is relatively simple to prepare
606. Ponche Crema
Curaçao’s version of eggnog is originally of Venezuelan descent. Though recipes vary by family — much like it’s savory companion, the Ayaka — main ingredients typically include milk, eggs, sugar, rum, and other minor ingredients such as vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and
606. Ponche Crema
Curaçao’s version of eggnog is originally of Venezuelan descent. Though recipes vary by family — much like it’s savory companion, the Ayaka — main ingredients typically include milk, eggs, sugar, rum, and other minor ingredients such as vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and
607. Curaçao’s Swinging Old Lady
Paris has the Eiffel Tower. New York has the Brooklyn Bridge. The Statue of Liberty. The Empire State Building. Beijing has the Great Wall. Cusco has the Machu Picchu. Agra has the Taj Mahal. San Francisco has the Golden Gate.
607. Curaçao’s Swinging Old Lady
Paris has the Eiffel Tower. New York has the Brooklyn Bridge. The Statue of Liberty. The Empire State Building. Beijing has the Great Wall. Cusco has the Machu Picchu. Agra has the Taj Mahal. San Francisco has the Golden Gate.
623. Curaçao Halloween Costumes
Curaçao’s favorite odd couple: 1. 1968 Miss Universe runner-up Annemarie Braafheid and 2. her hubby Stanley Brown. 3. Rasta Moses 4. Curaçao’s air conditioner in a bottle: Alcolado Glacial 5. This scary guy 6. Captain Goodlife 7. Polar Beer 8. Songstress Kris Berry and her awesome hair
623. Curaçao Halloween Costumes
Curaçao’s favorite odd couple: 1. 1968 Miss Universe runner-up Annemarie Braafheid and 2. her hubby Stanley Brown. 3. Rasta Moses 4. Curaçao’s air conditioner in a bottle: Alcolado Glacial 5. This scary guy 6. Captain Goodlife 7. Polar Beer 8. Songstress Kris Berry and her awesome hair
632. Curaçao’s Modern Sinterklaas and Pete
This week my Facebook News Feed resembles a picket line protesting ‘Zwarte Piet’ (Black Pete) and it’s not the first time. The same articles are shared (The Guardian’s Black Pete exposes the Netherlands’ problem with race, Associated Press’ ‘Black Pete’, Netherlands
632. Curaçao’s Modern Sinterklaas and Pete
This week my Facebook News Feed resembles a picket line protesting ‘Zwarte Piet’ (Black Pete) and it’s not the first time. The same articles are shared (The Guardian’s Black Pete exposes the Netherlands’ problem with race, Associated Press’ ‘Black Pete’, Netherlands
730. Curaçao’s Thanksgiving Parade
Our annual harvest festival, Seú, dates back to the 17th century when slaves would gather together in the kunuku (countryside) to pick the harvest at the end of growing season. A good harvest consisted of sorghum stalks, pumpkins, peanuts, watermelons, cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables. Some
730. Curaçao’s Thanksgiving Parade
Our annual harvest festival, Seú, dates back to the 17th century when slaves would gather together in the kunuku (countryside) to pick the harvest at the end of growing season. A good harvest consisted of sorghum stalks, pumpkins, peanuts, watermelons, cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables. Some
739. Easter in Curaçao (Part 1)
NO SWIMMING on Good Friday! Or you might turn into a fish…* Soulful home-cooking on the ‘konfó’ (krioyo BBQ) seen all over the island! (Tutu, black-eyed pea mush, in the making) Good Friday = Piská Hasá ku Funchi i Tutu! (but this plate
739. Easter in Curaçao (Part 1)
NO SWIMMING on Good Friday! Or you might turn into a fish…* Soulful home-cooking on the ‘konfó’ (krioyo BBQ) seen all over the island! (Tutu, black-eyed pea mush, in the making) Good Friday = Piská Hasá ku Funchi i Tutu! (but this plate
764. Curaçao Romance
Strop’i Kakalaka = Cockroach Syrup. If that doesn’t work on your Djègèdjègè, you can always try these. But your best bet is always: #954. Yummy homemade Arep’i Pampuna. And a bouquet of these: #773. Faya Lobi (Fiery Love) Then maybe — if
764. Curaçao Romance
Strop’i Kakalaka = Cockroach Syrup. If that doesn’t work on your Djègèdjègè, you can always try these. But your best bet is always: #954. Yummy homemade Arep’i Pampuna. And a bouquet of these: #773. Faya Lobi (Fiery Love) Then maybe — if
785. Curaçao’s Obsession with Dutch Royalty
Our fine boss lady, Queen Beatrix (75), just announced that she’ll be abdicating the throne after 33 years… ending 123 years of female throne domination… just so my childhood crush, Prince Willem Alexander, can become King on Koninginnedag (world famous
785. Curaçao’s Obsession with Dutch Royalty
Our fine boss lady, Queen Beatrix (75), just announced that she’ll be abdicating the throne after 33 years… ending 123 years of female throne domination… just so my childhood crush, Prince Willem Alexander, can become King on Koninginnedag (world famous
802. Curaçao Fuikdag 2013
Curaçao’s fishermen introduced the very first ‘Fuikdag’ as a spontaneous, unregulated ‘gathering at sea’ to wish each other a happy, prosperous New Year the very first Sunday of every year. Today ‘Fuikdag’ is a highly anticipated debauchery of hundreds of yachts
802. Curaçao Fuikdag 2013
Curaçao’s fishermen introduced the very first ‘Fuikdag’ as a spontaneous, unregulated ‘gathering at sea’ to wish each other a happy, prosperous New Year the very first Sunday of every year. Today ‘Fuikdag’ is a highly anticipated debauchery of hundreds of yachts
805. Curaçao New Year’s Dive
A Dutch New Year’s tradition since 1960, 12 hours after midnight tens of thousands of people gather to dive into the sea, together. Then warm up with some snert (traditional Dutch pea soup). King of Snert UNOX and Zanzibar have
805. Curaçao New Year’s Dive
A Dutch New Year’s tradition since 1960, 12 hours after midnight tens of thousands of people gather to dive into the sea, together. Then warm up with some snert (traditional Dutch pea soup). King of Snert UNOX and Zanzibar have
Bon Anja 2013!
A Facebook group to combat home-sickness is now a full website with loyal fans and newspaper/magazine/radio appearances! Thank you so much for following our journey and piecing together our story. Continue to celebrate your inner Awesome… I wish you much
Bon Anja 2013!
A Facebook group to combat home-sickness is now a full website with loyal fans and newspaper/magazine/radio appearances! Thank you so much for following our journey and piecing together our story. Continue to celebrate your inner Awesome… I wish you much
806. New Year Tradition Tambú: Music and Dance of Curaçao (Part 6 of 6)
Documentary filmmaker, Elizeth Labega (YouTube: “Tambú: Music and Dance of Curaçao”) explores the ‘forbidden’ nature of our indigenous music and dance. Imported from West Africa in the 1600s, Tambú music is made with a single skinned drum, a metal percussion
806. New Year Tradition Tambú: Music and Dance of Curaçao (Part 6 of 6)
Documentary filmmaker, Elizeth Labega (YouTube: “Tambú: Music and Dance of Curaçao”) explores the ‘forbidden’ nature of our indigenous music and dance. Imported from West Africa in the 1600s, Tambú music is made with a single skinned drum, a metal percussion
807. Curaçao New Year’s Pagaras
New Year’s Eve starts around noon on December 31. Large crowds gather on business parking lots to hug and give each other 3 bon anja kisses on the cheek, dance, laugh, hear (and smell!) the Pagara, a long red ribbon
807. Curaçao New Year’s Pagaras
New Year’s Eve starts around noon on December 31. Large crowds gather on business parking lots to hug and give each other 3 bon anja kisses on the cheek, dance, laugh, hear (and smell!) the Pagara, a long red ribbon
1000 Awesome Things About Curaçao 