I agree. And in regard to the post about Natalee's mom leaving the VDS home, has anything been leaked about the discussion that took place between the parents?
SM:
arlee
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 2:46 pm
Reading too much into this, folks. My daughter is about as level-headed as they come, smart as a whip, not always so organized but has herself together. (OK, that's a mom talking, but I am pretty objective.) She (Dash) tells me that Natalee is MORE so. She looks up to Natalee. She admires her. Natalee has earned her accolades, believe me. And the fact that her bags were neatly packed and ready to go the night before *does* say something about her routine, her level of responsibility even on a vacation. I've seen photos of my daughter's hotel room. Oof. For a girl as responsible as Dash is, her own bags looked like they'd exploded. What I'm saying is that in so many ways, Natalee is above and beyond. It's part of why what happened is so confounding.
As for the packed bags & no Natalee raising a red flag to the roommates -- well apparently it did. As soon as they realized something was wrong -- and we *cannot* speculate as to when that was or why that was or why it didn't happen sooner -- they said they immediately began working with the chaperones on the situation. At this point, I think the particulars of that are not for any of us to know.
But going back to this example of the how/where/why's of a responsible, level-headed girl's behavior on this trip: Dash (who fits that description nicely) was by the pool with 10-20 friends until 5 a.m. Some of those friends came & went during that time. Some of them included one of Natalee's roommates for at least part of the time. Dash was with a group, she knew she was safe, & that was good enough for her. She didn't bother to check in with anyone, close friends or roommates included. And it was good enough for Dash's roommates as well, evidently. When she got back to her room, it was empty. And she wasn't worried at all. Is it a great mystery where any of these roommates were, Dash included? Does it cast doubt on any of the 3 girls that they didn't inform each other of whereabouts? Nope. Typical teen behavior on a trip. Not saying that's *good,* but it's typical, & especially for the kids on this trip, going by individual reports. Not all girls check in & confide the way it's assumed here.
Another thought: Natalee was with some of her best friends on this trip, but maybe not *all* of her best friends went. Maybe her *best* best friend wasn't there. Dash's wasn't. So maybe *the* girl she confides in wasn't available & she kept her feelings somewhat to herself. I don't know -- I'm just throwing that out.
Since their return, not all of the 150 or so kids are in direct phone contact with each other. You couldn't expect them to be. And most haven't considered calling Natalee's very best friends. Through the grapevine we've heard they've been in a terrible state for these weeks. So no one would have been able to -- or wanted to -- intrude on them with questions as to Natalee's whereabouts 24 hours a day for the entire trip. As I've said before, who but the roommates even know if the *roommates* stayed in their same room every night? Them and the FBI, I should say. Yes, almost if not all the students have been individually question by this time.
I've been following this board for several days but never saw your questions before. How many posts on each page? How many pages per thread? How many threads in succession? If I or Dash or MBHS05 or others had seen the queries, we'd have answered best we could, but we still wouldn't likely know *the* answer. Just because a post isn't answered doesn't mean the question was dodged. Odds are that it just wasn't seen. (A fact in my case.)
We all have been assuming facts not in evidence, on everything. Which of you said you're realizing that all we really know is that Natalee is missing? You are EXACTLY RIGHT, frustrating as it is. Sad
All I know about what was discussed between the parents is what Greta reported. Maybe she will give us more info tonight about the conversations.