My point is, when I travel to a place where I am unfamiliar with the people and their laws, I tend to be even more cautious than when I am in familiar surroundings. It's just good, smart policy. I would NEVER, EVER go anywhere with a local and would not rub elbows in a bar with strangers unless I had a male escort. Anything less than that is just not smart.
Ah, that perfect hindsight, and knowing now what I wish I knew then. For crying out loud, she's an 18 year old GIRL...who met a 17 year old BOY, who turned out to be a really bad guy. It's great that you know 'better', but you had to learn it some where along the way. Unfortunately her hard lesson might have cost Natalee her life. Blaming anyone but whoever did a crime and those that helped cover a crime is not the point or beneficial to anyone.