12/01 - Un glas di aua ku eis!

Hello! From now on in English, so friends from Toronto can follow as well!

Curacao is lovely- imagine hot weather, a beautiful view, shrieking brakes an barking dogs, along with cheap cold beers from crowded little bars and little public transport buses with jolly music. Getting there?

I arrived a week ago, and can not imagine being in Toronto anymore.. so cold and fast-paced! The moment I stepped out of the plane it was really really warm- but the trick is not to stress. Customs an immigration in Curacao are just for show... so no problems with them.

But in the very first few days I had to get work, or go home! Think I had 160 US dollars cash, and about 400 euro's in my account.. minus rent for 2 weeks. So no Mambo beach (the place to be for interns, and really expensive), driver's license or scooter rental yet. But with so much luck with meeting the right people (Judith from employment agency Kadanz), I was happy and working the very third day after my arrival here!

'My' restaurant is called 'the Lobster house', and is a short ten minute walk from my apartment. It has a magnificent ambiance with light effects and a aquarium. The staff is all Curacaoan, and the waiting staff complete feminine! No complains from my side, eh! I'm working there 7 days a week now (need money), so the sunny beaches will have to wait.

My apartment is luxury, with an own kitchen and washroom, tv, airco, etc. It's expensive though (too expensive, 55 guilders p/d against a wage of 8,5 guilder p/h), so I'm looking for a longer term rent and somewhat cheaper. Anneke, my landlord, helps me out great. By example, she set up an appointment for me to have a look at a great apartment, which I just forgot because I slept too long!

Besides the bright and sunny side of Curacao stands a poor and hungry side, which I am also wanting to discover. Last Saturday I helped out packing food kits for the Voedselbank (food charity), and today I am going to Fuik to attend a homework class, which I am going to give myself in the future if I like it. These kids are put to work as soon as they get home, and aren't stimulated by there parents to keep up with classes. So this class is to give them an opportunity and environment that makes them able to make the required work. And for me to catch up with my own never made homework ;)

Future plans? Not yet, besides discovering the culture, do some good things, maybe get a job that asks some more responsibility, learn Papiamentu and Spanish and enjoy LIFE! Not sure yet how I can move on after Curacao, because saving here will be difficult. But hey, who cares. I found paradise!

And folks, DO come by! You are cordially invited to lay around in the sun, drink fruit mixes (real ones, with ONLY fruit & ice) and meet great people. Concerning me, you only have to book a ticket. There is always a place in my home, and if I am free I'll be happy to show you around..

Photos