Walking the Walk in Willemstad, Curaçao

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The graffiti littering the walls leans on the artistic side of culture. Sometimes, I can see my thoughts running wild, letting me think too much, even if it is like the sun bursting forth and brightening my day. Does it really matter, those inconsequential pieces of wrong logic running through your head? if you can close your eyes and imagine that in the bigger scheme of things, where logic stands clear, street art can be appreciated fully if given a half a chance. Or two. Some call it vandalism, and a part of me doesn't disagree. Does it matter? Truly, does it?

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Let's go for our #WednesdayWalk with @Tattoodjay. You can see his post here. It has all the rules guidelines so that you can join too! Get yourself ready to stroll the streets on the island of Curacao! We are going now! Let's start here, where flowers have been provided, courtesy of a local painter, making the world more colorful!

Today is a beautiful day. The sun shines brightly with a side of clouds. Who could ask for anything more?

Grafitti. Street Art. Creative Expression. Whatever one wants to call it. I have come upon the beauty of this art running along the sides of subway cars and trains, making the old look cheerful. When I stop and think about it, the old cargo trains were the first place I saw it, at least a hundred years ago.

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I have come to love this island, Curacao. When I went into the Bureau of Tourism, one of their signs read: The people of Curaçao are the country’s greatest attraction. I raise my hand in agreement. This very same place offered to drive me to a place that I was looking for. The bus transportation on the island is intermittent and doesn't cover a lot of areas. She finished up her work and drove me several miles, waited while I took about 50 pictures and drove me back to the port as it was nightfall. Seriously nice and out of the goodness of her heart.

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Street art is usually painted with permission or commissioned. Graffiti is word-based, whereas Street Art is image-based. “Graffiti art”, if one had to name it, gives the two form's artistic overlap. Graffiti Art is elaborate and figurative graffiti combined with images. source

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I have to wonder who is sponsoring this massive effort that spans about five city blocks. It is an amazing running mural, a unique artistic approach that pleasures my eyes. Not leaning in the direction of artist, It is always interesting to see just how the different artist approaches their canvases. Oh, wouldn't I love to live in their head for a day or three.

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I was wowed when I stumbled across this street artist. She was just starting this block when I first saw her. She had completed several blocks behind her. You have to be awed by her tenacity and skill. It is such a magical stroll through the alleys, with 3D flowers and other objects and colors that make your eyes pop. It is a brilliant display of street art. I spoke with her and I took a video of her on my phone, painting and telling me her story. But, that is a story for another blog.


In the downtown area of Willemstad, there is a lot of interesting architecture, with some falling to disrepair and abandoned. The city has taken possession of those and has made it their job to make the city look less empty and more friendly in terms of tourists.

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The supplies. She works deftly, using whatever means to reach places that are too high a stretch. What we see here is only a rough draft of her work. She will come back again and again, filling in the spaces with more color and imagery until one day, nothing else fits. It is like a party for my eyes.

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She says that this has allowed her the freedom to feel once again. When I go back again, I will take a picture of her finished projects in the different stages I have. She does this every single day.

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There is love in the splash of color in an otherwise lonely alley. I walk through the back alleys, enjoying the view that has been offered to me. This is such a scenic little town to walk through. Who could resist the colors and the bird caught in flight? There is happiness all around, the people treat you with kindness and there is always a smile. How can you not love it? One of the local gathering places, where everyone comes to see and be seen.

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Thank you so much for joining me on my #WednesdayWalk. I had a wonderful time showing off what makes my day while here in Curacao. There is so much to see, so much to do and truly remarkable people to do it with. Life is good. Embrace it! Then don't forget to embrace it all over again.

Love is all around you!

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As always, a flower. This flower is dedicated to #WednesdayYellow #Colorchallenge by @Kalemandra, who colors my world every single day.

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And just that quick, this show is over. Tag me and I will visit you too! Thank you for allowing me to muse about and as always, I wish you a wonderful day!


¸.♥´¸.•♥¨) Let the sun shine in on your life
So the joy may touch your soul
(¸.•´♥ (¸.•´ ♥



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Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Because of you, I come back to post again and again. And remember always- kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.


I always post this poem down at the bottom of my posts. It is one that has become so near and dear to my heart. I only post the most famous part of it, but, wanted to post it in its entirety today.

they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?

i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.

later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,

"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"

warsan shire



#Steemusa is a growing community of quality-content people from the United States or those living here. Check us out on Discord!

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64 comments
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Hi @dswigle, a free $trendotoken from the TULIP Mania Game!
Round 3 will start soon and full details will follow. Thanks for playing!

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Thank you so much for the Trendtoken @busbecq! As always, have a great night!

!tip

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I must admit I skim read the post but I loved all the art

Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk :)
Sorry for short comments the grandkids are keeping me busy

Happy thanksgiving

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Bang, I did it again... I just resteemed your post!
Week 11 of my contest just started...you can now check the winners of the previous week!
Pixresteemer is also listed as promoter on The Steemians Directory
!BEER
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I use to live there. I worked one year on the island for the Dutch Royal Navy. Nice pictures and nice Blog!!

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It is such a happy place, isn't it? It has changed since the first time I went there about ten years ago. I am sure that it was a great place to have sun and fun. I lived in Soesterberg for about a year and I am not sure where you make your home, but, I loved both places.

Thank you for stopping by and saying hello! Have a great night!

!tip

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A bit late :-) Ik woon in Reijmerstok in het uiterste zuiden van Nederland. Ik wil graag nog eens terug naar dat zonnige eiland. Mooie dagen :-)

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I would call it art than vandalism! Hahaha! 😂 It's beautiful, making the street shouting with joy!

Thank you for taking us there @dswiggle. 💕💕💕

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Thank you!!! I call it art too! :)

It makes the entire place come alive! Yes! This is what life is all about, right? Thank you for stopping by and saying hello!

Mwah!!

!tip .20

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@dswigle wouldn't it be nice if they allowed people here to put their art on buildings? I love all the colors she uses. I think even kids drawings would be an improvement than plain gray building. Happy Thanksgiving.

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Yes!!!!! I love how it gives it such a happy vibe to the entire island. For me, I would paint the town red! Or at least colorful!

Thank you for stopping by and Happy Thanksgiving!

!tip

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Sorry, the tip is higher than your deposit.
You can check your deposit by sending 0.001 SBD to @tipu with memo: status
(the minimal tip is 0.1 SBD/STEEM)

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Oops! Bounced the tip! Ran to the bank and put in more money~! Let's try this again!

!tip

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@dswigle I do not know how these things work but please do not cost yourself money to give me a tip, I do not even know what I am supposed to do with them.

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No worries, @myjob! The tip goes right into your wallet. You don't have to do a thing with it. It is just my way of thanking you as my voting power is depleted most days.

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@dswigle Thank you, I do not think I will never understand all the different things on here and what they do. I should watch my voting power but I don't I just vote away not knowing what it is. I mean my vote is only worth a penny, it is not really going to help anyone but shows I appreciate their post.

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Thank you! I understand and do the same!

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I love Street art. The only graffiti I can’t stand are gang tags.
The colors are so bright and beautiful. It brings the sun to us!

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Ditto! That is just scary stuff anyway. It is such a happy look. How can you not love it! Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! Love to you and the family!

!tip

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Sorry, the tip is higher than your deposit.
You can check your deposit by sending 0.001 SBD to @tipu with memo: status
(the minimal tip is 0.1 SBD/STEEM)

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Oops! I cannot believe I did this! I Bounced the tip! Ran to the bank and put in more money~! Let's try this again!

!tip

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Seems like it was an amazing day for you today! This post is incredible by the way :D

Recently, we came up with an initiative to try and spread awareness of the Steem Blockchain on Twitter, which is why we kindly invite you to check out this post, we think you might like the idea.

Keep creating amazing content, Steem on!

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Thank you so much for the kind and supportive comment and amazing upvote. Much appreciated!

I have a Twitter account, but, will check out the link that you provided. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

!tip .20

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All of those colors really make the place "pop". I am moved by the painter's determination! What a way to beautify what otherwise would be a dull and drab area!

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The colors are amazing aren't they and I do admire that woman and her tenacity to get it done and beautify the area.

She was so inspirational to speak with. Her outlook on life was truly amazing given her circumstances in life. Thanks for stopping by and saying hello!

!tip

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We are SO proud to have you as a member of our
FANTABULOUS Power House Creatives family!
upvoted and resteemed!

❤ MWAH!!! ❤

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#powerhousecreatives
JOIN US HERE
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Beautiful colorful walk thanks for that! I'm curious on the finished projects.

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That's the cure for concrete gray neighborhoods 😍

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Me imagino son pinturas plasmadas por buenos artista amiga,estan demasiado bellas e impresionantes,buen dia,saludos y mucho cariño

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wow lots of interesting stuff and the art its amazing to see the creativity around

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Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Denise.

Wow a world of colour, big change from drab cement, the lady painting every day must have such a passion for what she does to uplift her area.

Story telling on buildings something to enjoy while going to an fro.

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Hello beautiful how I envy you, but a healthy envy haha

I like your travels and this is really colorful, the color gives us life and joy and I understand the artist very well, the mind concentrates on the creation and you forget the things of daily life, you feel fulfilled and even a little magician, creating where there was nothing, empty walls without voice, she has given them color and life and you tell her story, I love it

Be happy like a bird and live life, there is no more mystery than that.

Kisses beautiful friend.

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That looks like something fun to come back to every couple days or even months later to see how it has progressed. Seeing art in action is quite fun.

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So beautiful everything here.
Being in a wheelchair is not a limit for the artists to continue putting color to life. A great example and inspiration.
Happy thanksgiving beautiful lady.

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Congratulations @dswigle!
Your post was mentioned in the Steem Hit Parade in the following category:

  • Comments - Ranked 5 with 50 comments
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Thank you so much for the mention in the #hitparade @arcange! Always an honor to show up on your list! As always, I wish you a most awesome day!

!tip

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Hi @dswigle. That is very beautiful street art. I have seen graffiti before. And this art is nothing like that. I remember once reading about a project in some U.S. cities where graffiti is prevalent a program to give former graffiti enthusiasts a chance to create something beautiful...that is to paint over their graffiti with meaningful art, then sign it with their brand. What arose was the most beautiful art. And to my amazement, no other graffiti artist vandalized it or painted over it. So that was a worthwhile project.

I've also seen neighborhoods where the electric boxes on the street corners were painted, mostly with famous actors or just beautiful flowers to keep graffiti from being placed there.

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