St. Thomas - Good Diving but Overpriced Ghetto

[H2Andy]

if you have the answers to either it should be really juicy.

see my previous post:

as to Iraq? or as to St. Thomas?

actually, the solution is the same, come to think of it

there's nothing the US can do in Iraq to make peace come about other than leaving and letting the local people sort it out.

same in St. Thomas

get out. let the "natives" work out what kind of place they want, even if it's a horrible disaster ... short of genocide, it really is none of our business

 

[Rule62]

it's not about that. that's just the easy way out of the analysis





but how the tourists perceive, frame, and relate to the native issues says much more about the tourists

i feel the OP totally has missed the issues at play here, and has undestood the problem in his own terms, rather than looking at the problem for what it is

I assume OP is Original Poster and, if that's true, I suppose I should respond. I have traveled all over the world and lived in Algeria for 3 years and France for 2. That being said, I don't consider myself a typical tourist with a myopic view of where I am. It's unfortunate the native St. Thomasians have adopted/adapted a perspective/culture which, at the end of the day, could lead to their own demise.

Whatever the cause or issues of their discontent is irrelevant to my original post. The fact of the matter remains, if you have a choice of vacation destinations, St. Thomas is not worth the time or money.

 

[H2Andy]

Whatever the cause or issues of their discontent is irrelevant to my original post. The fact of the matter remains, if you have a choice of vacation destinations, St. Thomas is not worth the time or money.

no doubt, and i think several people have agreed with you

my point is that you are not going far enough. you're not asking why that is, and what, if any, role you play in that

you basically write the place off and move on, playing the role of a disatisfied consumer and not that of a thinking, rational being who tries to understand the world in which they live

 

[Cacia]

same in St. Thomas

well, I agree.

the problem with Iraq, is that Al Queda is wanting, waiting to take over. Iran is putting up banks in Bagdad as we speak. They are making nukes as quickly as possible. Maybe the UN will save us. Iraqi's are not the enemy, they are caught in the cross fire. It is not fair.

Sometimes, it boils down to survival.

 

[H2Andy]

They are making nukes as quickly as possible.

all Israel needs is a nod from the US

(say no more)

 

[Rule62]

no doubt, and i think several people have agreed with you

my point is that you are not going far enough. you're not asking why that is, and what, if any, role you play in that

you basically write the place off and move on, playing the role of a disatisfied consumer and not that of a thinking, rational being who tries to understand the world in which they live

The only role I'm playing is a diver who spent close to $3,000 going to an S hole wishing I'd gone anywhere else. I'm not running for office nor trying to solve world hunger. I, quite frankly, could give a rat's *** regarding the geopolitical/cultural or any other issues of the Virgin Islands.

ps. I am happy to see my post did stir up a minor ***** storm!!!!

 

[Rickg]

no doubt, and i think several people have agreed with you

my point is that you are not going far enough. you're not asking why that is, and what, if any, role you play in that

you basically write the place off and move on, playing the role of a dissatisfied consumer and not that of a thinking, rational being who tries to understand the world in which they live

Why should I as a consumer have to worry about what role I play in any place I go to visit? If I visit there and like it I'll return; if I visit there and don't like it I won't return and not think twice about it vice trying to analyze it to death. There are enough places that I like to visit in the world that I won't lose any sleep over not returning to a place I didn't like. Better to spend my money somewhere I enjoy.

Rickg

 

[Jamdiver]

if you have the answers to either it should be really juicy.

Jam, I am sure you have some great perspective. Why digress?
You must have an opinion about the differences found in the various islands, the strengths, the weaknesses.

The worst thing that could happen is a mod could bop our heads.

Well most of what you've said is spot on.
The resentment stems from the dependence of a large part of populace on tourism and the attendant service culture that must develop with it.

I think it's more severe when you have a small island (small population) which has large numbers of tourists everywhere.

Driving up prices et cetera.

Islands that are not as dependent on tourism (such as Trinidad, Jamaica, et al) and have a diversified economy and a strong local culture don't seem to have as much resentment among the populace.

But that's just my 2 cents

 

[H2Andy]

Why should I as a consumer have to worry about what role I play in any place I go to visit?

because you are a consumer

happy consuming

Islands that are not as dependent on tourism and have a diversified economy and a strong local culture don't seem to have as much resentment among the populace.

i totally agree

 

[H2Andy]

ps. I am happy to see my post did stir up a minor ***** storm!!!!

lol!

by ScubaBoard terms, this is a sedate thread