Home again......Perspective & Disparity
The cruise was wonderful for us.......despite my lovely bride's sun/drug reaction that kept us shipboard all Thursday!Saw 5 islands......the differences were enormous!
Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten........all poor, dependant upon tourists, and have not much else. Housing was old, dilapidated, and roads mostly minimal.
Final stop.....St. Thomas....a US Territory.....was a reversal. Mostly neat homes, and buildings... minus the gaudy colors for the most part.
In contradiction to the above, San Juan, another US Territory has squallor, and apparent crime. We were not there where crime could occur, but the trip from airport to Ship was a passage thru territories where nice condos/apartments were encased in walls with steel gates, and razor wire atop the walls.....much like fortresses!
Rude awakening to we who have always been in the US.
Still, in perspective there are pluses to the areas (other than San Juan)....quiet, mostly relaxed people. Good sense of humor in our guides for shore trips....able to take themselves and us in a fun mode rather than seriously!
Felt good overall.......
posted by Duke of DeLand @ 10/11/2004 02:56:00 PM
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