i think it is actually a good thing to have Americans viewing what it is like dealing with the gov't elsewhere, as a point of comparison. Since so many love to bash our own way of doing things. One thing that was very noticeable in the interview of Jossy Mansour on Friday, Martha whatshername was interviewing him as a if he were a US journalist, operating at crosspurposes with the gov't. he did not come across that way at all, he kept saying, oh we don't know that, they would not tell us that, etc. in response to her questions and she just let them drop.
First night there..we're staying at a hotel out on the beach..can't remember the name..we couldn't get a rent- a car at the airport..told they were all gone..so we took a taxi...I'm somewhat gregarious on vacation, and tend to overtip those I like....was joking with the bellman who took our bags into the hotel..we had a dinner resrvation that night at the floating Indonesian restaurant in town..really neat place..wonderful food...I asked the bellman how long a ride it was..he told me, then suggested that his brother was a wonderul cab driver, and he'd be happy to arrange to have his brother pick us up at 8:30 that night..I figured that I was being scammed a bit, but always enjoy someone with a good spiel...so I readily concurred..That night, we;re dressed, come down to tthe hotel lobby at 8:25..there are are about 75 coupeles in the lobby screaming and yelling because there are NO cabs, and they all have to get to restaurants all over the island..I see MY doorman..he waves at me..calls us out to the front of the hotel..waves his arm..his brother and his taxi appear right in front..and there are 50 or so dumbstruck people looking at us like we must be royalty or something..It was station wagon, so after my wife was seated, I turned to the mob, announce where we were going said that we could take 4 more with us Two couples jumped in..turned out to be a wonderful evening...they were all really nice..and they wouldn't let me pay for either the cab both ways..because of course "MY" cab met us for the return ride..and our diner.. we spent several nights with them both that week...
Yes, it reminds me of the movie "Alien" (I believe that was it) where the aliens lived inside beautiful human bodies. There was a scene where one pulled back his human skin, and the ugliness was revealed. Just like Aruba.
Now, I know there are these crimes everywhere. But Aruba is claiming "No crimes, ... just a peaceful little island...etc." I am sick of their constant attempts at PR vs their minimal focus on finding Natalee, and the truth about Natalee, and keeping her family in the dark.