The holy man 'Sinterklaas' and his helpers arrived in Aruba

ORANJESTAD - The bearded holy man, know to us as Sinterklaas,  with his helpers, -called black peter, arrive in Aruba Sunday morning. While the rainy weather obviously didn't stop the kids from coming to the cruise ship terminal and greet the holy man, it had its effect on the size of the crowd. It was considerably less compared to previous years. Newly installed cultural minister, fresh from being sworn in, Xiomara Ruiz Maduro greeted the holy man and 'assured' him that all kids present were well behaved and deserved presents come December 5th, the holy mans' bday. A parade took to the streets, with the holy Sint leading the way, all the way to Aruba's popular Betico Croes Plaza, or also known as the Liberators Plaza. Tradition calls for children to lay their shoes right outside their doors, with hay and water for the 'white horse' on which the holy man 'travels', and if the children are well behaved, they receive a present in those carefully laid out shoes. A tradition dating back many centuries and being celebrated in a number of European Countries. The Dutch Caribbean inherited this tradition, and carries on around this time of year, until December 5th, said to be the holy mans' bday!.