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Host Country Report

Curacao is a Dutch Caribbean Island located approximately 40 miles north of the Venezuelan coast. It is the biggest island of the ABC islands. It is also the center, between Aruba and Bonaire. Curacao is part of the Netherlands Antilles and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The culture of the island closely resembles other Caribbean islands as well as Dutch culture. The island life is combined with the building structure, food, and languages of the Dutch.  It is a culturally diverse island and very large tourist attraction.

           Inhabitants of the island generally speak about four languages: English, Dutch, Papiamentu, and Spanish. The most prominent religion of the island is Roman Catholic, about eight one percent of the population. Judaism, Methodism, and Anglicanism have much less of an influence among the island. The Netherlands Antillean Guilder is the current currency used on the island. One guilder is about 56 cent in USD. It is planned to be replaced by the newly created Caribbean Guilder in the future.

The food is mostly variations of Caribbean Creole cuisines. Due to tourism being a huge factor in the island’s economy and cultural, many traditional ways have become more open and accepting to international tendencies. For example, the food in the most touristy areas of the island are far more diverse than you will even see at home. Mambo Beach in the capital Willemstad, has some of the most diverse cuisines I have ever seen. Along the boardwalk you will see Mexican, Dutch, Italian, Mediterranean, Japanese, and American food. They have snack bars to steak houses and even a dance club within such a small radius. For the endless amount of tourists at the resorts and the incoming cruise ships, this is delectable.

The government of Curacao is a Constitutional Monarchy. Curacao is a constituency country that has a parliamentary representative democracy. There are three levels in which the government operates. The kingdom of the Netherlands which governs the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba; the Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire and Curacao); and the territories of the three major islands and the two smaller uninhabited islands of Curacao and Bonaire. There are military camps on Aruba and Curacao that are intended to protect the islands and their surrounding waters. There is also the Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba to protect the territorial waters from drug trafficking.

The highly diversified island still has the different defining social and economic classes. Unemployment is high for the original inhabitants of Curacao, and even higher for the Latin American and Caribbean immigrants. The Dutch hold the higher of employment rates especially dealing with customer service in the touristy areas. Having material luxury goods such as cars and houses display a person’s social and economic status on the island.

“Women's participation in the labor market has increased since the 1950s, but men still hold the most important positions throughout the economy. Women work mostly in sales and as nurses, teachers, and civil servants. Unemployment is higher for women than for men.” Immigrant women from Latin America and the Caribbean work as maids or in the tourism sector. The status of women on the island was mostly the head of the household and a provider for herself and her children, as the men were material providers for more than one household of their families.

Landhuis Brievengat was one of the largest plantations on the island, dating back to 1750 with 500 hectares, where they grew aloe and bred cattle. It was devastated by a hurricane in 1877 and then donated to a heritage foundation. Once restored to its “former grandeur” it was opened to the public as a sort of museum. Mikve Israel-Emmanuel Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. It is over 280 years old and still is used by the vibrant Jewish community of Curacao.

The famous Blue Curacao Liqueur is made in the historic 19th century mansion Landhuis Chobolobo. The liqueur is Kosher certified, gluten free, GMO free, and held to strict clean and pure production standards. You can tour the distillery located near the capital, Willemstad and you can find the liqueur in many places all over the island.

Christoffel National Park is located on the Northwestern side of the island and is home to many unique species of plants and animals, including the Curacao White Tailed deer. There are eight hiking trails around the park, varying from levels of difficulty and time/length of hike. The desert island offers an astounding view from the top of the Christoffel Mountain. Another geographical landmark worth visiting is Shete Boka. It adjoins Christoffelpark covering the north shore of the island. With a beautiful rocky wave exposed coast, pocket beaches where sea turtles lay eggs, and caves all along the hikes.

Curacao also offers many other attractions worth looking into, like the ostrich farm, klein curacao trips, many beaches along the south side, and beautiful buildings and architecture in the city of Willemstad. But the most popular and most astounding attraction of Curacao is the scuba diving and snorkeling around the reefs and beaches of the island. Even the small little inlets are teeming with various colorful sea life. The shores are overflowing with life and color in the sea. Although conditions have diminished slightly in the past years, actions are being taken to preserve the sea life and the wonderful coral reefs along the islands.

Curacao is a beautiful and diverse island with endless things to do and beautiful locations to see. Understanding the structure of the island’s culture and government will make any sort of visit to the island easier and stress free. Knowing as much as you can about the place you will be visiting is always beneficial, but actually experiencing the culture and social interactions in the place is much more fulfilling and provides understanding far beyond what anyone or thing can express. Experience this island is like no other and I am very excited to return.

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Mini Report

My collection of media regarding the island of Curacao has been truly inspiring and eye opening. Curacao is a Dutch Caribbean Island off the coast of Venezuela. This is an island I have visited before but I chose this country in order to gain a fuller understanding of the culture and environment on the island, so when I return this year I can experience everything to the fullest.

           My images portray some of my favorite aspects of the island. The buildings are vivid and colorful and portray such a unique characteristic of this island. Although, the buildings weren’t my favorite part of the island, in fact, I hated going into the city. My favorite images are of the sea life and their beautiful habitat. These images are especially interesting because it brings color and light to these usually blue tinted corals and creatures. Only cameras and light can capture the true beauty and color of the underwater world.

https://branchalyssa.tumblr.com/

The videos are also very interesting to me because it opens me up to what I have missed and what I want to experience in the future. There are a few videos in my collection that feature places on the island that I would like to visit: Shete Boka, Playa Forti, the Ostrich Farm, and Klein Curacao. These bring life to some of the excursions that didn’t interest me before, but now I cannot wait to go back simply to do these activities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNyJAqaznMc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2Af1Jn85Dw

           I chose four songs that relate to this trip and to the island for me. First of all, reggae was the most enjoyable music played while on the island. It was played at a few of the restaurants and resorts and it was just very relaxing. Another kind of music that reminds me of the island is upbeat dance music, since there was a club near our resort. Grace VanderWaal’s “Clay” was a song I listened to on the plane and at night a lot. Rebelution was the group I listened to most since it was calming and chilled.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs5fP7G8gBc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31xdkXg8rd4

           The news stories help expand my knowledge on the events on the island, which is really important considering the sense of community they have on the island, despite the immense diversity and tourism. One story shows of a couple who own a farm on the island, which is very interesting considering it is a desert island and it is also allows you to get to know the inhabitants of the island. The Huffington Post also does pieces like “25 Incredible Caribbean Stays” on the island.

http://curacaochronicle.com/tourism/meet-the-young-caribbean-couple-who-run-a-farm-in-curacao/

http://curacaochronicle.com/politics/parties-present-their-candidates-list-for-upcoming-election/

http://curacaochronicle.com/tourism/cto-travel-impressions-discuss-synergies-to-benefit-agents-caribbean-tourism/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jetsettercom/25-incredible-caribbean-s_b_12528208.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/oyster/the-11-cheapest-caribbean_b_13445258.html

           I think this kind of media helps me prepare for my sojourn by expanding my knowledge and perspective on the island. This will allows me to break barriers and be able to explore and experience things I didn’t before. I think my collection is well rounded but many things could be added, such as more scuba photography, more pictures of people, more experience videos, and maybe a wider variety of news stories. I plan to continue doing research and blogging to find new media.

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Playa Forti, Curaçao - 2015

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Feeding ostriches at the farm. #curacao #ostrich (at Curacao Ostrich Farm)

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One of the best dives I have done so far, diving at Snake Beach on Curacao.

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The Queen Emma floating bridge and the colorful houses of Willemstad in the background.

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Curaçao 🌞🌊🌴 I live where you vacation

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Fish feeding frenzy on Klein Curacao.

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Path leading to the lighthouse on Klein Curacao with the shipwreck in the background.

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Flash back Friday to curaçao and it’s colorful buildings. This was entering Otrobanda, which is one of the most historically important quarters of Willemstad, the capital of curaçao. 🇨🇼

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The Penha which is in my opinion the most beautiful building on Curacao.

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Arrow Crab in Sponge by allangrandy