Going to Curacao, anybody been?

[Jihad]

OOT,

I'm going to Curacao for a couple weeks very soon for some good flying and training. I have never been there and was wondering if any of you guys have. What's the general atmosphere, and what should I expect socially?

-Jihad

[Boris]

I've never been to Curacao. No idea what it's like.

[ImAKing]

where is it?

[jaydub]

[ QUOTE ]
where is it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Near the place where that white chick disappeared.

J

[ImAKing]

ok gotcha now

[youtalkfunny]

I lived in Curacao for a year. I never sensed any US military presence. I have no idea why they're sending you there.

I can't give you much insight to the nightlife--I was married with kids.

Tips:

--As the plane landed, I looked out the window, expecting lush palm trees like on Gilligan's Island. Instead, I saw brown rock and cactus. This is a desert island. There's no lake or river anywhere. There's not even much grass. This was a huge letdown for me. Thought I'd give you a heads-up.

--When somebody tells you to stay out of a certain part of town, just stay out of it. Every city in the world has a part of town you don't want to find yourself in. This place is no exception. If you get pegged for an American, it is assumed that you're rich. Protect yourself at all times.

--It's a laid-back place. TOO laid back. Nobody cares about anything. It's frustrating to go to Burger King and be told that they're out of Whoppers, but stuff like that happens all the time, because nobody at that Burger King gives a damn. If the power goes out in your neighborhood on a Saturday, just break out the candles, because nobody's going to fix it until Monday morning.

--If you see ostrich on the menu, try it. It tastes just like steak, only it's not nearly as greasy. There's a little bar/grill called Rattler's on the road that runs from the airport to Pescadero Bay (at least, it was there when I lived in Curacao 2001-2002). It's owned by a South African guy who's cool as hell. He makes an awesome ostrich, and tells cool stories, once you can understand is thick SA accent.

--If you go out for a beer, order Polar (pronounced, "poh-LARR). You can usually order it by the bucket. The beers come in smaller bottles, so you can finish them before they get warm. There's a bar at the airport that serves El Presidente's, a Dominican beer that you might try.

--When you want to spend a day at the beach, go someplace like Mambo Beach. It costs a couple of bucks, but it's worth the dough. I don't know what all that white jagged stuff is that washes ashore (shells? bones?), but it makes walking barefoot in the sand impossible. These private beaches rake that crap up every day, allowing you to stroll that golden sand. Beaches are topless, too. When you're standing neck-deep in the water, facing in, it's tough to resist the urge to beat off while watching all those breasts and thongs. Then you remember that snorklers are lurking below.

--All over the island are roadside stands called "snacks", that sell sandwiches, fried chicken, and the like. Every American that I knew down there, without fail, warned me to stay away from them if I valued my health. They're not the cleanest places that you've ever seen serve food.

--Be careful where you order your pizza from: some places use goat cheese. Sorry, I can't remember who uses what. I'm pretty sure Domino's was a place we avoided.

--If someone takes you to a strip club, be advised: it's NOT a strip club. It's a brothel. I wish I had been better prepared for my visit to the Lion's Den, or whatever the place was called. Maybe I wouldn't have lost my mind, and jeopardized my marriage.

--None of the casinos are worth visiting. One of them has a race/sports book that's connected to Tijuana or Juarez. Other than that, the games all offer increased juice. There was no B&M poker back in 2002, but I'm sure that's changed by now.

[Apathy]

Pura Vida (sp?) man, learn that phrase.

[howzit]

pura vida is costa rican.

curacao is a volacanic rock. the place is not what you picture a caribbean island. on the plus side, the locals love to drink. they don't frown upon drunk driving.

[fish2plus2]

if it is an island that no one has heard of, it probably isnt very fun.

[RR]

[ QUOTE ]
--Be careful where you order your pizza from: some places use goat cheese. Sorry, I can't remember who uses what. I'm pretty sure Domino's was a place we avoided.


[/ QUOTE ]

Hrmmm, some people go out of their way to order pizza with goat cheese.