andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12131
Loc: Philadelphia
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Have never stayed there, but visited dozens of times doing the Scilly Cay trip from SXM and I must say driving the entire length of the island to get to Scilly Cay there are a lot of depressed areas in the interior to say the least and the appearance is one of poverty. I have not seen anything like that in SBH. To be sure the beaches in AXA are great- Shoal Bay, et al., and the resorts are luxurious- but one stays on the entire island not just in their room, IMHO.
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Andy -
St. Barts- where no day is ever the same and one day is not enough
Edited by andynap (01/18/04 11:29 AM)
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Yes, there is poverty, although not in the sense that breeds problems, i.e., there is neither homelessness nor a lack of basic needs for the people who live in somewhat simple means. I'd call the interior a bit blighted, I suppose, but that's from the perspective of an American urban dweller and I'm not sure that the same standard applies. As a result, there is little discontent. As for the crime rise, I'm not sure that 2 murders in about 20 years is a statistically valid enough amount of data to call it a rise, even thought they both occurred in the last couple years. Note that all were shocked by the murders, thus indicating that they are not the norm. You wouldn't assume some small farming town has suddenly become a dangerous place rampant with crime just because a murder occurred and I don't think it's fair to treat a small island any differently. Anguilla is a very, very safe place to vacation, safer almost certainly than wherever you travel from.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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Steve brings up a very good point...when i lived in St Croix in the late seventies, I met many people, who by our standard and by our definition, would be considered to be living in poverty.....I can tell you this.... they were very happy people living a very simple life and wanted for nothing more then they already had......and found it quite funny that some mainland Americans thought they had the right to impose their value system and standard of "good" on the native Cruzans
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karma is a beautiful thing at times
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andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12131
Loc: Philadelphia
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Mike- wasn't this right after the killings on the golf course that devastated tourism for years to come? I am not denigrating the islanders for their lifestyle I am commenting on the perception to outsiders. If I go on vacation I do care what the place looks like. When we were in Rio De Janeiro the shacks were in the tourist areas- not pleasant and similar to areas in Mexico that I have been to.
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Andy -
St. Barts- where no day is ever the same and one day is not enough
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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Andy I hear you and agree at least in priciple in what you are saying...my point was, let's not neccesarily equate what we call poverty with automatic crime and degenerative behaviors....crime exists everywhere and it eventually will rear its ugly head on SBH....especially given the growth and exponetially increased popularity which currently exists...and to think not is to think in a bubble of fantasy as far as I am concerned...you cant go backwards once you take that leap forward...and crime comes with the package
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karma is a beautiful thing at times
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andynap
Reged: 10/24/02
Posts: 12131
Loc: Philadelphia
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I didn't and do not equate crime with looks- the original poster wanted to know the difference between AXA and SBH and that was my perception. I happen to think as does my wife that the Anguillans are the nicest people there are regardless of their habitation.
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Andy -
St. Barts- where no day is ever the same and one day is not enough
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Cheri
Reged: 10/13/02
Posts: 1686
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
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I believe there have been two murders in the past year (both were residents from what I have read) and I know one of the murders was of a long time resident Pressure King who was adored by many who knew him. From what I have read there is a dark side to his life, a story that is yet to totally be unearthed.
That said, when we went to Anguilla three years ago we felt safe but whoever stated that the island has an appearance of poverty is correct. The beaches are beautiful, the restaurants fabulous and resorts first class but it is lacking in the charm that is ever present in SBH. The very flat scrubby terrain and many half built homes just do not lend themselves to beautiful landscapes and vistas. We would go back but probably only for a couple of days on our way to SBH.
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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I'd like to emphasize the point about crime reports not necessarily indicating a less safe locale than many places we take for granted as being safe. In fact, most, if not all, Caribbean islands are safer than our cities in the States, especially if you consider motor vehicle accidents. I can understand wanting to choose the safer of two alternatives for a vacation regardless of the relative risk compared to one's home, however. In that regard, I'm not as comfortable in Jamaica as I've been elsewhere. And I can also understand an uneasiness with looking poverty (regardless of the happiness of the people) in the face, particularly in direct contrast to plush luxury resorts. However, Anguilla simply doesn't make me uncomfortable and I believe it is because the people are so glad to see me and make friends with me. I can only hope I feel as wanted on SBH when I get there in another couple weeks.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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Peter_NJ
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 970
Loc: The Beach
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stevel,point taken,but its 3 cold blooded murders inside a year...and a 4th,washed up in blowing point 2 months ago,one of the carty boys...just like everywhere,its mis guided youth and drugs..
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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well....read these posts here...then jump up and read the good bad and ugly post...........................
I rest my case..................
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karma is a beautiful thing at times
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caribce
Reged: 01/10/04
Posts: 6
Loc: Md
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Having hard decision where to go fro 25th anniv 6/2 but want to use ff miles so need to decide asap!! can get non-stop to Antigua-Curtain Bluff-anyone been? IF go to Bart's , fly to St Martin-there's new hi speed 45 min Edge Ferry!! anyone take that? or back to Tranquil Anguilla (Cap or Cuisinart) for 3rd trip on practically deserted quintessential white sand Caribbean beaches!!(its good our anniv 's in off-season so can do these luxury sleeps!)
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