For those newcomers to this board and those who frequent it, understand there is an individual or individuals making sport of maligning the island of SXM. Their MO will be very obvious as you read thru the threads. There is also an opponent group, those who have been the SXM, had great times and have gotten to know the people and in a 'New York Second' would reside their if they could. I am one of those people (AKA St. Martin Propoganda Machine.) <BR> <BR>The island is beautiful, diverse in culture. As a third world country, expect to see a a life style lower than you are accustomed to. However, those people are just that - people - wonderful to talk to, friendly, helpful. And what you can learn from them. There are beaches, all public and all beautiful. You feign nudity, find another beach, you want nudity, you got that too. The food - outstanding doesn't come close. From Parisian, Vietnamese, Italian, Creol, Cajun, et al. In the evening, you decide want style of food, then you decide where. For the gaming souls - casinos. So much to offer on a 36 square mile island. <BR> <BR>There is an element of crime, as this is anywhere you go. It is unfortunate, 'Fantasy Island' does not exist. When someone finds it, please let me know. <BR> <BR>To the person or persons smearing this island, I used to care that you may have had a bad experience on the island (crime or otherwise), but with all you intrusive postings, frankly, at this point I don't give a damn. You have not given anybody the information requested as to why you are doing this. If you did, maybe we'd understand. Otherwise, I personally consider it game playing and nothing more. So respond to this post and let the casual reader be able to ID you quickly, when reading thru the other post they can avoid walking in your bull shit. <BR> <BR>To those considering St. Martin, do it. Look at the other comments on other boards. People were apprehensive (based on their reading here and else where), they have gone and returned to say they felt safe the entire time and would return in a moment. Some folks on the AOL message board have termed it as being 'St. Martinized'. Saint Martin is more than a vacation, an escape, it is an experience. If any of you would like to know the other available message board, plase e-mail me. I will provide them, but please indicate SXM-BB in the topic, I do delete anything not quite right. <BR> <BR> <BR>

If someone asks me about a Caribbean destination with wonderful food, I'd nominate SXM in that so-called NY minute! We enjoyed our visit, and would return to the island again. One aspect about SXM that is goood is the easy accessibility to daytrips for nearby St Barts, Anguilla, etc. I still think my ideal would be to have a large sailboat I so I could spend days visiting Anguilla's beautiful beaches and nights eating in Grand Case!

Very well put Jane. Thank you....

Wow, I was beginning to think I was the only one who loved St. Maarten. It was an incredible experience. We explored every inch of the island (even found the garbage dump) and never felt threatened or unsafe. Just took the usual precautions we take at home and had a fabulous time! I'll defintely be back again!

Jane: <BR> <BR>Boy did you ever hit the nail on the head with the description of the island. What needs to be emphasized the most are the people; an island with a blend of some 38 nationalities. <BR> <BR>This is what is missing from some of the other islands. Not only have I taken the time to have conversations with individuals when I've met them, but have had some individuals intiate the conversation with me (on both sides of the islands). <BR> <BR>I was wearing a Beau Solieil tshirt one day in Marigot and was stopped by an older gentleman with an "Ah! Someone who understands." We then ended up talking about 30 minutes about where we were from, where he came from in France, what he does for a living and the like. Who ever said the French were snobs. <BR> <BR>Then there was the time we were on Front street going back to the car after dinner. All of a sudden this man comes over to the car and says let me hlp you and proceeded to start washing the windshield. Then I thought, OK a handout. All he wanted was 2 cigarrettes. We then got chatting and he then pointed over to his house and his car which he had been washing with his children. <BR> <BR>And finally there was the gentleman who worked for the government. We were coming back from Front street loaded with bundles and came to a 5 foot ditch that seemed to go on forever. When he spotted us, he quickly ran down to a narrower spot and jumped across. He then came back to us. We handed him the bundles which he set down and then offered a hand to cross then trench. Again we had a nice conversatin that centered mostly around his family. <BR> <BR>I read these posts about people who generalize that they didn't feel safe. i wonder if they ever took the time to talk with the people there. St Martin is a very family orientated island. <BR> <BR>For those of you who go, take the time to talk with someone whether it be the attendant at a beach or the waiter/waitress in the resturaunt.

Mark, I hate to disagree with you, but we have peopel from over 70 countries living on St. Maarten. It truly is a melting pot