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Ghost of Washikemba Tells About Life on Bonaire

by | Sep 24, 2019 | Shopping

The Ghost of Washikemba and Other Stories of Bonaire.

Bonaire’s latest book is The Ghost of Washikemba and Other Stories of Bonaire, by Jannet Butter.

Bonaire’s many visitors love to stay up-to-date with the island; they do so via online social media, oohing and ahhing over beautiful images of Bonaire, even reading such tourism blogs as The Bonaire Insider, as you are doing this very minute. And now, there’s one more manner in which “life on Bonaire” can be lived vicariously, and that is through the island’s latest collection of short stories, entitled, The Ghost of Washikemba and Other Stories of Bonaire, written (in English) by Dutch author, Jannet Butter.

“Ghost” was released in August, 2019.

The Ghost of Washikemba, Jannet’s new book, was officially released just last month, at the 10-year anniversary celebration of The Cadushy Distiller where Jannet premiered the book and presented the first copy to Cadushy’s Eric Geitman.

Of course, as with anything new about Bonaire, I got my hands on one of the first copies and sat down to begin reading about my own adopted country through the eyes of a fellow expat.

I have to admit…..the legend of the ghost of Washikemba (Washikemba is an old plantation house on the east coast of Bonaire) has always piqued my curiousity.  I was eager to learn more!

Although I have spent time over the years at Washikemba, even photographing the old plantation house, never have I been “blessed” with the apparition of the ghost.  I use the expression “blessed” carefully.  I’m not sure I would use the same word had I been “blessed.”

So it was definitely with interest that I read about others experiencing paranormal activity while at Washikemba.  Obviously, I’ve been doing something wrong, and I shall have to return to see if the ghost of Washikemba will appear to me.

But my interest stayed as I got into the other short stories.  Jannet has written about her own experiences since relocating to Bonaire 12 years ago.  Whenever one moves to another country and another culture, there are always moments when one comes across a situation that cannot be justified by the viewer’s own past experiences and which can leave one totally flummoxed.  And this presents a dilemna:  “How can this be?”  “How shall I interpret this?”

And so, we, as newcomers, do our best to explain to ourselves what it is that we see occuring around us!  Perhaps we get that interpretation right, but the possibility always exists that our understanding of the new culture is not correct, and sometimes this can lead to humerous situations!

This dichotomy clearly shows one thing:  That living on the multi-cultural melting pot that Bonaire has become creates endless possibilities to learn about the quirks and foibles of island life.

Indeed, life on Bonaire, through Jannet’s eyes, appears to mimic life pretty much everywhere else on the planet.  There are happy days, there are truly sad days, and there are certainly some very funny situations.

So, the next time you visit Bonaire, pick up your very own copy of The Ghost of Washikemba and Other Stories of Bonaire, and sit back along the beach somewhere and immerse yourself in life on Bonaire.

About the author, Jannet Butter.

Jannet Butter grew up in the Netherlands. At a young age, it became clear that her heart was set on teaching.  During her early years as an educator, there was no extra time for her second passion–writing!

When Jannet and her husband relocated to Bonaire in 2007, suddenly her second passion surfaced.  In her years on Bonaire, Jannet has written four books of short stories, the first three in the Dutch language, and, with The Ghost of Washikemba and Other Stories of Bonaire, her first in English.

Jannet continues to live on Bonaire, and visits the ocean for her daily dose of Vitamin Sea.

About the Ghost of Washikemba and Other Stories of Bonaire.

Jannet’s latest book of short stories can be purchased on Bonaire at The Cadushy Distillery, Addo’s Bookstore, Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire, MG Bonaire, and Van den Tweel Supermarket. The book retails for $27.95.

(Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

 

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