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Month: June 2016

A Linguistic Cocktail

A Linguistic Cocktail

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The islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are of special interest to linguists. Papiamentu (in Aruba Papiamento) is described as the first new language in hundreds of years. There are numerous theories about the origin of the language. It is thought by some to have originated  as a communication between Portuguese slave traders and African slaves. Other theories refer to the custom that explorers such as Christopher Columbus, de Ojeda and Vespucci followed of taking native inhabitants back to the…

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More Island Adventures in Curacao

More Island Adventures in Curacao

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At first, Curaçao was the island that nobody wanted. Discovered in 1499 by Alonso de Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci (from whom the name America is derived), who deemed it useless, due to it’s lack of gold or any remarkable resources, it was subsequently settled by the Spanish in 1527. The native inhabitants of the island were Caiquetio Indians, a subgroup of the Arawak tribe of South America. They were soon enough all rounded up by the Spanish and sent to…

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Know your ABC’s – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao

Know your ABC’s – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao

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“Now I Know My ABC’s” (Currently my daughter Sophia’s favorite song.) It’s a new month and time to explore a different location! So now we will move south to the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, known as the ABC Islands. The islands share a common history and culture and were banded together as the Netherlands Antilles up until 1986, when Aruba was the first to secede. Aruba and Curaçao are now countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while…

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Montreal and the Islands of Quebec

Montreal and the Islands of Quebec

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The first destination we will explore is up north in the Canadian province of Québec. The metropolis of Montréal is located on an island in the St. Lawrence River. Montréal is a top culinary destination as well as a center for culture and host of the world’s largest jazz festival each summer. Montréal is a fascinating mix of old and new, tradition and innovation and is without a doubt an exciting place to explore. We will continue with visits to…

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Frere Jacques – Cocktail recipe

Frere Jacques – Cocktail recipe

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Here is something I came up with to celebrate our exploration of Montréal and the islands of Québec. Obviously I had to do something with maple syrup and I also wanted to have apple as another component. I chose the name in honor of Jacques Cartier, the explorer who was among the first to visit the Gulf of St. Lawrence and explore the area. He is credited with the discovery of the Magdalen Islands and sailed inland as far as…

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Ile d’Orleans, Quebec City’s Cornucopia

Ile d’Orleans, Quebec City’s Cornucopia

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The beautiful Île d’Orléans is an island in the St. Lawrence River located less than 15 km from Québec City. It is a center for agritourism and is often referred to as Québec City’s cornucopia or vegetable garden. Thousands of visitors enjoy it’s wide variety of food and drink offerings each year. In 2007, the island became the first region in Québec to certify it’s products. The seal “savoir-faire île d’orléans” guarantees quality products produced and grown on Île d’Orléans….

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The Acadians

The Acadians

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I have been reading a little bit about the background of the Madelinots, as the inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands are called. Many of them are descended from Acadian settlers. The Acadians were originally settlers from France who crossed over to the new world and settled in eastern Québec, the Maritime provinces and part of Maine. After British conquest as a result of the French and Indian war, the French speaking Acadians were expelled from their burning cities and wandered…

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