Achieving a greater understanding of local life and culture may be very difficult when visiting a new area or country. Hours spent lounging by the pool or walking along the beach prove too tempting to most tourists, and finding places of interest can take up a lot of time and effort. For those wishing to learn more about the destination, events such as the bon bini festival Aruba may be a fun and interesting way of discovering more.
Many people choose to visit the island of Aruba, and it not difficult to see why. White sandy beaches, a warm climate and friendly people are enough to draw in many tourists. The relaxed but fun atmosphere is ideal for a holiday, with plenty of things to see and do. Carnivals and festivals are an important part of the island, some happening just once a year and others every week. This means even those spending a small amount of time on the island have the opportunity to enjoy one.
Pastel coloured buildings fill the city of Oranjestad, the largest and oldest on the island. Fort Zoutman holds many of the islands treasures, as it is now the museum. Many visitors like to visit, to see objects from prehistory all the way up to those produced during Dutch colonialism. The architecture itself adds a great beauty and interest to the area.
Outside of the fort, the bon bini festival is held every week. In the shadow of the fort, people gather to have fun and keep local traditions alive for all to see.
Costume clad local dancers give a true carnival feel to the evening. The bright colour and energy is captivating to watch from the seats provided for viewers. The routines are exciting and fun, fitting in very well with the experience.
Music plays a very important role through the evening, steel drums ringing out various upbeat tunes. Other groups also play, including an organ grinder and even soloists. Local arts and crafts on display are produced by the islanders and brought to the festival for visitors to enjoy and even buy.
For those who enjoy cooking the food and drink on offer can be a very interesting part of the experience. Different cooking methods, ingredients and dishes add an extra dimension to the event, and all dishes are available to buy. Although this costs extra to the ticket price, it is a great opportunity to learn more about the area, and most things are inexpensive.
Acting can be seen in the form of small plays based on local folklore. This is a great way to explain some of the ideas and traditions that have served the island over many generations, and not something many tourists have the opportunity to see when on holiday.
For those who would like to delve a little deeper into local life and ideas, events such as the bon bini festival Aruba can be an excellent opportunity to have a great time and learn new things at the same time. A relatively small amount of time can be filled with energy and fun, whilst also offering a glimpse into traditions and values of different people.
