点评:Aruba Etnia Nativa (AEN) is one of the best kept secrets in Aruban attractions. We stumbled across this unique experience while looking for a break from the beach and seeking to learn a bit about Aruban history and culture. We were met by Anthony and his wife Sylvia, both incredibly warm and inviting.
Anthony, the owner/curator/docent/etc has spent several decades collecting local artifacts dating back hundreds of years, cultivating local and transplanted flora and repurposing myriad items into expressive works of art. His amazing collection is displayed in settings ranging from the whimsical to historically resonant to seemingly random pairings, but always with a captivating story to tell. Anthony is a multi-talented artist in his own right employing his skills in woodwork, pottery, painting and tanning to create an eclectic array of striking pieces including many elements of the very structure in which AEN is housed.
Anthony, a self-described perpetual student, also has near encyclopedic knowledge of the island's indigenous plants, their botanical characteristics, their common and scientific names and their uses in local home remedies going back centuries. His descriptions of the plant life on the property are sprinkled with anecdotes about how he acquired each plant and how he overcomes the naturally dry climate to create a beautiful oasis, a welcoming horticultural haven, in his backyard.
Tours are by appointment only and intentionally limited to small groups, so each participant is treated to individualized attention with each question welcomed and answered to complete satisfaction.
All in all, this is a unique experience on the island run by two remarkable individuals. If you are looking for a relaxed-paced, informative and stimulating exposure to Aruban history and culture, look no further.
翻译:阿鲁巴原住民文化中心 (AEN) 是阿鲁巴最鲜为人知的秘密景点之一。我们偶然发现了这个独特的体验,当时我们想从海滩上休息一下,并希望了解一些阿鲁巴的历史和文化。Anthony 和他的妻子 Sylvia 接待了我们,他们都非常热情好客。
Anthony 是这里的老板/策展人/讲解员等,他花了几十年时间收集可追溯到数百年前的当地文物,培育当地和移植的植物,并将无数物品重新利用为富有表现力的艺术品。他的惊人收藏品陈列在各种环境中,从异想天开到具有历史共鸣,再到看似随机的搭配,但总是有一个引人入胜的故事要讲。Anthony 本身就是一位多才多艺的艺术家,他运用自己在木工、陶器、绘画和鞣制方面的技能,创作出一系列引人注目的作品,其中包括 AEN 所在建筑的许多元素。
安东尼自称是一个永不停歇的学生,他对岛上的本土植物、植物学特征、俗名和学名以及几个世纪以来在当地家庭疗法中的用途有着近乎百科全书般的了解。他对这片土地上植物的描述中穿插着关于他如何获得每株植物以及如何克服自然干燥的气候在他的后院创造一个美丽的绿洲、一个温馨的园艺天堂的趣闻轶事。
参观需预约,并且有意限制为小团体,因此每位参与者都会得到个性化的关注,每个问题都会得到欢迎并得到完全满意的回答。
总而言之,这是由两位杰出人士经营的岛上独特体验。如果您正在寻找一种轻松、信息丰富且令人兴奋的阿鲁巴历史和文化体验,那么这里就是您的最佳选择。