"As to why people persist in going to third-world armpits..."
Aruba is not supposed to be like that though. It's a very low crime place, actually part of Holland. Or something like that, but who knows?
Not supposed to be, perhaps. But the reality? If nothing else, the CIA World Factbook includes the entry:
transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity
And then there's this, from the U.S. State Department:
CRIME: Street crime is low, but there have been incidents of theft from hotel rooms. Armed robbery has been known to occur. Valuables left unattended on beaches, in cars and in hotel lobbies are easy targets for theft.
Car theft, including that of rental vehicles for joy riding and stripping, can occur. Vehicle leases or rentals may not be fully covered by local insurance when a vehicle is stolen or damaged. Be sure you are sufficiently insured when renting vehicles and jet skis. For more information see the section below entitled “Special Circumstances.”
Not the worst armpit, certainly....but I stand by my earlier assessment. It's a third world armpit. Why go there?
Aruba is a beautiful, first world island. My wife and I travelled there with a good friend who is an Aruban resident. I felt safer in Oranjestaad at Midnight than in most places in America. Yes there are some armpits in the Carribean -- Aruba IS NOT one of them.
>>Aruba is not supposed to be like that though. It's a very low crime place, actually part of Holland. Or something like that, but who knows?
While I'm far from an expert, I can say that on my trip to Aruba 8 or 9 years ago, it seemed very, very safe. And while only there for a week, we did get out and around a good bit, and weren't just in the touristy places, as one of our group had lived there for several years. The place seemed much, much safer than what I hear about Jamaica or even Bermuda.
I wouldn't travel to any place where my sidearem/mossberg aren't welcome to travel with me.
According to a gentleman from National Geographic who was interviews on Fox News this morning, Aruba is one of the safest places to vacation. He said there was one murder on the island last year, and very little crime in general. And yet, people here are very quick to say it was stupid for her parents to allow her to go there, even with a large group of classmates. Sometimes, bad things happen. Something bad could have happened to her had she stayed home. Just pick up a newspaper, watch a newscast, and see the fairly frequent reports of a young woman disappearing in seemingly safe circumstances.
Its a wonder more of them don't just disappear.