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Transcription: [00:13:51]
Having completed his job, Johan crosses back over to the Punda side to await another call.
[00:14:00]
The Punda is the oldest section where the main shops and businesses are located as well as many important buildings of historical interest.
[00:14:09]
The Protestant church, dating back to the mid 1700s, is an excellent example of Dutch colonial architecture.
[00:14:16]
And here in the same square is the old Fort Amsterdam. The Dutch first came to Curacao in 1634. They took the island from the far-reaching Spanish who had settled here after discovering it in 1499.
[00:14:29]
Despite several attacks by the French and British, and a few short periods of British rule, Holland has managed to keep the island down through the centuries, with Curacao now, as I said, an independent part of the kingdom of the Netherlands.
[00:14:44]
The yellow building is one of the oldest synagogues in the Western Hemisphere. It too dates back to the mid 1700s.
[00:14:53]
Although gone for many years, the influence of the Spanish still persists with narrow little streets and picturesque alleyways accompanied by long Dutch names. Not one of which I'd try to pronounce.
[00:15:09]
The younger face of Curacao is seen is such things as their post office and modern war memorial. You know, with so many of our United States dollars going to the four corners of the world, we taxpayers should appreciate this American consulate as it was given to us by the people of Curacao in gratitude for our protection of them during World War II.
[00:15:32]
The houses of Curacao are another of its memorable qualities. Their style and ornamentation are strictly Curacaoan. And even their color presents an unusual story.
[00:15:43]
Legend says that a Dutch governor once complained that the glare of the sun on the white houses gave him headaches. Well, when reminded that he was the governor, he promptly passed a law that no more houses could be painted white. Well, that's quite a cure for a headache.