On Saturday I visited a museum of Bonairian history. This is the 2nd oldest building on Bonaire -- it was originally a storehouse for food for the slaves, many of whom worked at the salt pans.
Some artifacts inside.
A bread oven.
A house made of sticks and chalk.
An outdoor kitchen area called a 'ramada'. I wonder if this ancient native name was chosen for Ramada Inns?
How chalk was made. A fire was built under the stones, which are basically fossilized coral, shells, etc. After the rocks were put through the fire, they were pulverized to make the chalk for the reddish/pinkish house above.
Making charcoal. The pointed end of the pit was oriented towards the wind, sticks are laid in (often Mesquite wood), and covered with dirt. There are vents on the rear, exit end. Basically the wood is burned in an environment without enough oxygen, which leaves charcoal behind. The burning takes 3 days, and then it has to cool for a few days after that, so the whole process takes about a week.
A stone house. Not sure what the mortar-type covering is made out of. Houses here are basically made this way today, only with concrete blocks. They put a skim coat of concrete of some sort over the top to cover the block like stucco, but more durable.
A wood house. Cactus fences were used long ago and are still made today.
Some artifacts inside.
A bread oven.
A house made of sticks and chalk.
An outdoor kitchen area called a 'ramada'. I wonder if this ancient native name was chosen for Ramada Inns?
How chalk was made. A fire was built under the stones, which are basically fossilized coral, shells, etc. After the rocks were put through the fire, they were pulverized to make the chalk for the reddish/pinkish house above.
Making charcoal. The pointed end of the pit was oriented towards the wind, sticks are laid in (often Mesquite wood), and covered with dirt. There are vents on the rear, exit end. Basically the wood is burned in an environment without enough oxygen, which leaves charcoal behind. The burning takes 3 days, and then it has to cool for a few days after that, so the whole process takes about a week.
A stone house. Not sure what the mortar-type covering is made out of. Houses here are basically made this way today, only with concrete blocks. They put a skim coat of concrete of some sort over the top to cover the block like stucco, but more durable.
A wood house. Cactus fences were used long ago and are still made today.
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