Rarely does everything look like what you see in a glossy travel brochure...
I have never seen anything appealing about the Caribbean in a brochure, other than blue water with the leaning palm tree.
In other words, I didn't enter with high expectations.
Many of us travel to actually experience and witness different cultures, to raise our children with an understanding and appreciation for their place in the world and as giving global citizens....not to turn a blind eye to the realities that might offend our delicate sensibilities.
Yeah, okay, so I'll tell my kid to join the Peace Corp or join that Christian Network.
I don't take a vacation to open my eyes to world poverty.. I take a vacation to get away from the depressing stuff. You know, to go to a nice place.
While many of the islands are in fact quite poor, many islanders take great pride in sharing the beauty of their island and heritage with visitors
Since tourism is about all they have, and they charge us dearly for the simplest of things, they should treat us well.
and spend what resources they have to make the touristy parts beautiful and "worthy" of your appreciation....
No offense, but I have yet to see any part that is worthy of my appreciation.
The only acceptable place I have found is the Maho (sp?) hotel on St Maartin.
many have little self sustaining trade to support them and "tourism" is in fact their primary offering...which means budgets are insufficient for much of the infrastructure and public works that would keep the cities from being "gross."
I have seen piles of rotting garbage outside homes, guys going to the bathroom along the streets, several people digging in dumpsters and throwing the garbage on the street, whore houses across from a resort, cab drivers drinking beer and littering their cans, all in St Johns Atigua.
Sorry, but that has little to do with the budget.
It does sound as though many islands are just not a good fit for your particular travel disposition, unless of course you are sure to stay on the grounds of the resort so that you don't actually see anything that varies from the brochure -- nothing real.
I don't find anything to be "vacation worthy" at the resort either.
For others, we open our minds and our hearts and see the warm and wonderful people, who are appreciative for what they have and for you coming to their beautiful land....
In the cab on the way to the hotel in St Thomas we were told not to venture outside after dark.
Everywhere and everyone has an aspect that is not one's best side...you have given us a glimpse of yours, in fact. Perhaps I misunderstand, but its just another perspective...one far less narrow.
I think you're saying that I showed you an "ugly" side of myself?? Perhaps I'm not reading that correctly.. Wouldn't be the first time.
Bottom line- I asked the question, and I think I got an answer.
People like the beach (and everything associated with it), and the people.
Fair enough. I'm truly happy that many of you enjoy it. Different strokes is what makes the world go round.
That said, you will not have competition from me to book a place there.
Personally I get the willies looking at those roadside food stands.