If you are looking for an authentic experiences head to town on Friday, where a band will be playing, and people dancing, on the square at the end of main street at Djiespie’s place, Plaza Nikki Habibe, Oranjestad.
Djiespie’s was THE press photographer on the island and worked for the Amigoe di Aruba newspaper, now defunct, but it was a serious publication. He covered press events, and in between jobs helped out his friend the undertaker, Zepp Wever, in his snack bar.
Djiespie was close to Zepp, and when Zepp transitioned to another world Djiespie’s wife and daughters took over Zepp’s refresqueria across the Amigoe di Aruba offices, at the end of the main street. The refresqueria occupied the street level of a gorgeous art deco building, where Zepp and Djiespie had coffee every morning, at the long counter with red vinyl swivel stools, before heading to work, one to host the funeral, the other to photograph it.
So now you know what a refresqueria is, snacks, ice cream, coffee, nothing complicated. Djiespie’s is that to this day. Drinks and snacks, the basic stuff.
Five days a week you may get your pastechi and your morning newspaper, yes, we still have one or two, and coffee there; on the sixth day, Friday, the island’s troubadour Etty Topperberg, organized weekly concerts. When Etty passed away, another friend, Robert Maduro, took over the tradition.
The music is excellent, Caribbean at its best, folkloric compositions and old songs. The percussionists are sometimes members of the audience, playing spoons, or the wiri, the age-old metal scrapper.
Then the old-timers in the plaza also do the quick-quick-slow, quick-quick-slow and shuffle effortlessly on the pavers, gliding smoothly and seamlessly to the music. Dancing, something you never forget.
Watch the plaza come alive Friday from 7 to 10. Djiespie’s Place, is celebrating its 35th anniversary, and clients, the old-timers, still have a lot of life in them. Don’t underestimate the septuagenarians.
Put on your comfortable shoes and your glittery top, sprinkle a bit of Old Spice Eau de Toilette or Tabac Original, 4711 Eau de Cologne is welcome too, and join the party. It’s free of charge.
