Wendell--if the purse comment was aimed at me, I have to say, I don't enjoy carrying a purse and I generally don't, even at home, unless I am by myself. Regarding being aware of surroundings at home, we live in the middle of nowhere and there is very little crime here--that I know of, anyway. As far as SXM in general, she just has something that keeps me interested. I wish the crime situation was different, but I really don't know anything that we as visitors can do to help it, other than staying away, and I cannot do that. I've been everywhere in the Caribbean and no place tugs on my soul like SXM. Every place else is just 'someplace to visit'...

Carol Hill