TD

I have heard mixed reports on safety in St. Lucia and I like to think I am rather street savvy and cautious. I have heard that it is not wise to flaunt your wealth and I have opted to leave my engagement ring/diamond earrings and such at home - but my fiance refuses to leave his Rolex at home. He is just loves this watch and loves wearing it. Not to flaunt his wealth - but he is very attached to this watch. I don't want to comprimise my safety over a watch. Am I overreacting???<BR><BR>Any thoughts truly appreciated.

Lizzie

Ummmm... where are you staying and what are you planning on doing? My opinion is that you may be overreacting a teensy bit. We stayed at the Jalousie Hilton and never felt uncomfortable leaving things in our room's safe. If you're planning on going to the Jump Up in Castries, or wandering around Soufriere on your own (which I wouldn't really encourage you to do anyway, not all that much to see), practice common sense.

TD

We will be staying at the Hilton at the end of next month. I am feeling a bit paranoid - but when going into town - I know he would leave his watch in the safe. I'm sure workers at the hotel notice what kind of things we have. Who knows who they might tell. This is one of the poorest countries in the Carribbean. I never felt this nervous before even in the markets in Nassau. When people are desperate - they tend to do desperate things (especially if drugs are a problem on St. Lucia). I would rather be safe than sorry.

stacy

I have heard in those areas that they might chop your hand off for a watch.

Lizzie

<BR><BR>Wow. Are you sure you want to go to St. Lucia? Simply put, you are overreacting. How can you make blanket statements about the people who work at a hotel you've never been to, and about a supposedly drug-infested island you've never visited? Honestly, I find this rather offensive. Perhaps you should consider a locale where you'll feel safer. Disneyworld?

Lizzie

<BR>One more thought... the hotel employees know how much you pay to stay there, or at least how expensive the place is... They might kidnap you and hold you ransom!

SUE

You never know. There have been reports of tourists being robbed and beaten in St. Lucia. There was an extremely scary story in the St. Lucia Star about crime on the island and a german couple on their honeymoon where the wife was beheaded on the beach. I know it could happen anywhere - but go with your instincts. You should be cautious no matter where you go.

Lizzie

Not sure why I keep replying but I find this all a little bothersome. I'm pretty sure the couple - the wife wasn't beheaded on a beach, by the way - were driving alone in the forest at night, and had stopped, probably to make out or something. That falls into the lack-of-common-sense category, doesn't it? During a political uprising, something else happened at a church to a nun - I forget the specifics of the story. Yes, these things can happen anywhere. Ever read In Cold Blood? No, I don't suggest you go flaunting your three carat diamond ring and your rolex, just as pulling out a wad of US hundred dollar bills would be stupid. But if you really have to ask these questions, you probably shouldn't be contemplating leaving your safe little nook of suburbia.

Anonymous

Lizzie and others are right. There is some crime but this is true on any Caribbean island and anywhere else in the world for that matter, not just St. Lucia. In general, the people there are wonderful and quite friendly but it doesn’t hurt to play it safe as there are bad apples everywhere. My advice to you: If you do venture outside the resort, keep them in your room safe. I really don’t think you need to worry about wearing them while on the resort.

Gwen

Hello, TD.<BR><BR>There are plenty of extremely wealthy people in St. Lucia! Don't take this the wrong way, but your husband wearing a Rolex is not going to stop traffic or anything.<BR><BR>There are American executives with huge estates in the Cap Estate area, and lots of rich people coming into Rodney Bay with monstrous yachts. Not to mention *lots* of tourists buying very expensive Rolexes in the Castries shopping district with no problems. <BR><BR>I wore my jewelry and nice watch everywhere in St. Lucia and felt fine. <BR><BR>You might want to reconsider your destination if the idea of staying a third world country is making you nervous. Maybe Grand Cayman would suit you better.

TD

Gwen:<BR> Thank you for a very adult response to a serious question.

puuuhleeeeze

a serious question? worried that the impoverished, desperate people who work at the hotel are going to tell the other violent, desperate natives how rich you are because hubby's wearing a flashy rolex? honey, you're nothin' special!!!! why on earth did you even decide to go to st lucia?

Mary

While an attack or theft is unlikely, it could happen and it’s a fair question from someone who has never been there. After all, she has heard mixed reports and she would just like to hear about someone’s personal experiences. It's true--there are lots of other wealthy people there but we also have to remember there are many poorer people too. I don’t think TD is trying to be “somebody special” or flaunt her and her husband’s wealth. I think we need to cut her some slack. We’ve all read similar threads on one island or another in the past—perhaps we’ve even posted them ourselves at one time or another.

Nancy

Oh, why don't you go to Russia, or one of the Stans?

Lizzie

Mary - I completely agreed with you until TD posted the bit about hotel workers paying attention to what she and her husband have in terms of watches and jewelry, and spreading the word around the island. That comment is pretty offensive, in my opinion. Hey, a healthy dose of skepticism and caution is just that - healthy! I thought my first response reflected that.

Patty

Sue is right - a woman was beheaded on the beach in St. Lucia. I believe it was in 97' - a man had escaped from the mental hospital and was hiding in the bushes with a machete. When her husband left - he attacked and beheaded her. It is very true - St. Lucia Star recently - about 2 months ago - did a report on CRIME and told of this story. These are isolated incidents though and this sort of crime could have happened anywhere.<BR><BR>Lizzy - stop getting yourself all worked up . TD is simply seeking some advice - <BR><BR>Good luck.

TD

Lizzy:<BR><BR>There are good and bad people in every group. Who is to day that everyone at the hotel is 100% honest and trustworthy. If that were the case - the hotel would not tell you they are not responsible for items left in your room. Give me a break. I simply did not want to be a target because of anything I was to wear that someone might find valuable. Get over yourself.

Mary

Lizzie: I completely missed TD's second response and I agree with you wholeheartedly. That was uncalled for and she should have quit while she was ahead.

Lizzie

TD, there are untrustworthy people at any hotel - but I sincerely doubt that if you were visiting Paris you'd be worried about the same issues. A sign saying a hotel won't be held liable for things being stolen out of the room is not there because people at the hotel aren't trustworthy! It's a legal issue and you'll find a similar sign at every hotel, from Motel 6 to the Four Seasons. Your remarks are offensive because you refer to the people of St.Lucia as desperate without knowing anything about them. Of course there's some crime; there's crime everywhere.<BR><BR>My opinion is that YOU need to get over yourself.<BR><BR>LizzIE

Anonymous

I think your point has been made - let a sleeping dog lye!!!