Pais Korsow!!!!!

Today is a historic day for that beautiful island.....it has become the newest country in the world. The Netherlands Antilles has ceased to exist. This concept was created in 1954 when the six remaining islands under the Dutch colonial rule became an independent partner within the Kingdom of the Netherlands: Aruba, Boanire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eutatius (known as Statia) and Saba. They became known as: The Netherlands Antilles. This association lasted until 1986 when Aruba negotiated for a place of its own within the Kingdom. The remaining five islands stayed together.

In a world of economic ups and downs and with little natural resources, The Netherlands Antilles found strength in numbers. At the same time, the differences in economic circumstances, size, mentality, language (Curaçao and Bonaire speak Papiamentu as their everyday language, St. Maarten, Statia and Saba speak English) and the fact that they are scattered in the vast Caribbean Sea made for an uneasy union. It's been one long period of disagreements, small frictions and a need for a solution. Finally it has come to this: Bonaire, Statia and Saba are now part of the Kingdom with no independent government. St. Maarten and Curacao are becoming countries in their own right, independent but still within the Kingdom.

At the stroke of midnight on 10-10-10 it was Curaçao's turn. Crown Prince Wilhelm Alexander and his wife Princess Maxima were in attendance as were political figures, consuls, important persons from the island. There was celebration and canon fired, fireworks and, I am sure, a bit of sadness. It is the end of an era. Most people I know have lived under this structure all their lives. A new era has started and the people of the island are full of hope and energy. They are prepared to do a lot to make this work. I have no doubt that they will. As a friend pointed out: a lot of people call their countries motherland, but no other people call themselves children of their country when expressing their nationality. Curaçaoans call themselves: Yu di Korsow, (child of Curaçao) My congratulations to all...masha, masha PABIEN!!!!!

Walking in Miami...

All of you know how I brag about my walks in Curaçao.....I am sure you think me too partial. Well, my husband and I have started to talk early in the morning......and I mean EARLY!!! He goes to work before 8:00 a.m. so we are up and about around Brickell Key around 6:15!!! For the ones of you that know me longer, you know that is difficult. For the ones that do not: I am NOT a morning person. NEVER have been. The idea of having more energy, getting things done better in the morning is absolutely lost on me. I think you have to be organized, no matter at what time you get up.....but that is a conversation for another time!!!

Back to my point, I tend to wander. Walking in the early morning, right. Surprisingly, I am coping rather well! We get out of our building and take a left towards the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The lights are still on, the buildings on Brickell Avenue, dark. There is still some coolness and a bit of breeze. All to be expected, what is amazing is the amount of people already running or walking along the water. Who would have known? With all the talk about obesity and unhealthy habits we hear about constantly!!!! Who are these people and wheat what time do they start?

Anyway, they hurry past us with their iPods or not. Some just look up and ignore the passersby, other offer a wan smile, the majority just passes you by....only a handful would say good morning! Really....Brickell Key is a small island, I mean really small. It is true there are several high rise buildings so the population could be in the thousands, but people are bound to run into each other sometime: in lobbies, in the parking lots, in the small convenient store, in elevators......and even if you didn't:... COMMON COURTESY, MANNERS....

That would never be the case back on the island. People would pass you and say excuse me, greet you with a bon tardi (good afternoon) or bon dia (good morning), there will be jokes shared and comments....no, don't tell me it is the same. The fact is there we walked with friends, we made our walks a social thing, we walked for health, but also for fun! Here, we walk, making sure we do something healthy everyday, trying to keep years at bay....but not because it's fun, it's just walking. How sad......I miss my walks along Caracasbaai, never mind the over development.....

Weekend....

The fact that is Friday is enticing to many. It used to be to me too.....but now I live in Miami. I know, many would give a lot to live here, but ...it is overrated! There are places to go, restaurants to explore, theater, galleries, movies. There is the beach, the river, the bay, the sunsets, yes, there are all those things. Unfortunately, there is also the crazy traffic, the rush, the fast pace going nowhere, the lack of warmth, the indifference, the keeping up with th eJoneses. You can choose from so many things to do, that most of us end doing nothing on weekends! Same old thing: out to dinner, movies, walks, galleries....and back home. Not very exciting since there are few people to share the excitement with....

In many big cities this is true, so I don't think anyone is surprised, are you? Of course not! Somehow it is not for me....I yearn for the place where I have true friends, people to share happy things with. Was in Curaçao again, at the end of August. Just for four days, quick trip. Went out every night, played bridge, had long conversations, saw friends I haven't seen in years....and different ones from last time. Is it the fact that life is more laid-back there? is it the fact that you need to make your own fun there and that gives you initiative? I have no clue...but it is more fun for sure!

Since coming back, I have been so busy...work, deadlines, the house. No time to really sit down and miss anything. My sisters were both here, lots to talk about, to plan, to laugh about. Now they are traveling, so back to boring weekends. It will pass, I'm sure, but for this weekend: NEEE..

From a View to a Future

This new image I just posted says so much....just a few years ago, I used to walk in this area every afternoon! It was wild and beautiful and so calm. People came at the end of the day to unwind, to walk to see the sunset, to socialize, really. I did tell you once that on this small island, everything counts as a social event!!

My friends and I made this our private "spa"!! As soon as we left our cars, started up the small uphill path....everything such ebbed away and we were at peace. Once on top, we could turn and be treated to one of the most beautiful sights on the island....Caracasbaai! There was always some yacht, some enormous oil tanker, some small fishing boats gently swaying in the bay. There would be some adventurous people swimming in the small beach and there would be the incredible waters, the amazing blues and the endless sky. The sunset would tint everything in different colors: golds one day, purples another, reds most of the time. I was so happy to just stand there and look.

A friend just sent me this recent picture....and isn't it a picture perfect shot? The place now is so developed, so full of life and movement. There are so many signs of progress, of a future. The quiet bay is now a bustling place. There are houses everywhere, built by people looking for the perfect place, the highest ground, the best view. The could not have chosen anything better. At the same time, I hope they keep in mind the beauty of the place: the waters, the sky. the small beach, the unobstructed view of the sunset. This is still absolutely beautiful and I hope it is kept that way. Can't wait to go, park my car and walk up the highest point, look down and see this span of paradise. Thank you, Alan!!!