"Guide to enjoying SAI"

  The island of San Andres & it's people are something to be appreciated & for that reason need to be put in the right perspective. This vacation spot is not, I repeat, not of the worlds rich & famous, however it is rich with genuine, caring, humble, & appreciative locals. Now that's not to say I'm wearing rose coloured glasses, there are some disturbed individuals that corrupt things & ruin it for many. No matter where you go in this world, you are bound to run into some negative situations, be it thievery, assault, lewd gestures & acts.....As a matter of fact, who would of guessed that a recent article depicting Disney World would have such troubles as sexual encounters captured on parking lot surveillance cameras, along with robbery & the odd fight within the park. Geez! we're talking a "kids world"...Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck animated world of dreams here.....a world renown theme park! Who would of guessed that something of that nature could ever happen in Disney World.... It does. And for the ones that haven't figured it out yet, it even goes on in your home town. In many cases it's "hush, hush". Even the "crooks", the "pimps", the "thieves", the "drunks", the "prostitutes", the "sickos" go on vacation all over the world too. Many of us choose not to associate ourselves with such, we look the other way, or ignore it because it's against our morals & is quite uncomfortable just knowing of it's existence. San Andres is no exception. NO matter where you go for vacation, common sense is a must. Guard your valuables, cameras, jewellery, wallets, purses, passports, etc.) be aware, alert, & cautious of your surroundings. Not because of the locals, but because of the above mentioned may just be standing next to you in line. For most of us "fortunates", that can afford to go on vacation, the majority on the island can not. The money just simply is not there. It borders on 3rd world in some cases. I, for one, look @ that as "but for the grace of God, there be I". "Rich",....I'm not. "Famous"...will never happen, but I find it a very humbling experience to stumble upon individuals that aren't as well off in life as myself. We tend to take many things for granted due to the part of the world we come from or grow up in...being a product of our own environment, we expect these essentials in everyday living because we're taught "that's your right". This may be so in Canada or the good ole US., but for the people of San Andres, it's a matter of survival. Simply put: These people don't have that kind of money. They don't have those new cars, or even a used car that is dependable, fancy buses, rail systems, the simple entities in life as hot & cold running water like we do. The very people that wait on us, hand & foot @ the resorts (the staff) live a tough life. I've witnessed this on many occasions by invitation for dinner or just to become acquainted with the rest of their family members. I experienced this as quite an honour. These people are very, very proud of who & what they are despite the major lack of entities for example, a floor not made out of dirt. For those that are so critical as to their uncomfortable experiences, be it a toilet, cab conditions, the size of a beer glass, to staff members not being able to make things appear before your very eyes on demand....you need to lighten up friend. In regards to the sanitation system of not being able to discard toilet paper into the toilet, is quite common throughout Europe & many of the Caribbean islands. If you do your homework on this site by going through past threads, you'll find the best solution in handling the situation. Is the transit system up to your expectations??....again, do your homework & all those surprises will be eliminated. Jumping aboard an over crowded bus to hang on is half the fun of visiting the island & sharing the lifestyles of the locals. Damn!!! I may even have to get out & push to get an old junker (car) started again. Many of us keep our hands in our pockets & backs against the wall. Many of the San Andres Islanders offer their hand to help you or freely give you that smile or hug. Geez! In my case I'll take as many hugs as I can get. No travel agent in the world can compare or even come close to describing as to what San Andres really is all about, like we do here, because we are not on commission to make a sale. We're just simply a few down to earth vacationers that share experiences & suggestions as to how to enjoy your vacation & what to expect. If you truly used the site as an information tool then you would know what to expect & can decide whether this island is for you. Any one of us can go to a vacation island & be treated like a king.....if you're willing to add a thousand or two more dollars to the cost of your package. Some travelers that go to the island seem to feel that the world owes them...Big Time!!!! & the people of SAI are the ones to pay the debt. Give me a break! This vacation island isn't for you, if those are you're expectations. Most of us repeat visitors go to have a good time & during our stay we try to leave a little bit behind. Be it school supplies for the special & the unfortunate kids, a $1. tip, or something as simple as a smile. Most of us take, many of fabulous memories from the island when we leave. If the island was as bad as some may perceive it to be then do you think that there would be as many repeat visitors, or would there be any further need to be a webmaster in helping others in going to San Andres? I'm sure DougC, myself, & many other regulars here could find a better way to use our free time IF that was the case. So if you're about to embark on a San Andres vacation, don't worry! It's all in what you make it. If your mind is made up before you leave home with the "how dare you attitude" & "do you realize who I am" mind set....boy are you in for a vacation from hell . Lets face it. When I post a little blurb of "things to pack", it shouldn't be taken lightly. Truth is often said in jest:

1. Extra patience.

2. Courage for barging to the head of the line when necessary.

3. A pair of "perspective" glasses for looking at things from someone else's viewpoint.

4. A spare attitude for when yours is destroyed by delays, late wake up calls, & grease stains.

5. Faith that the system works (in the long run)

6. Finally, your sense of humor....it's the best companion ever.

 In addition to that, here are the "The Ten Commandments of Travel" to compliment the above:      (posted by globetrotters923)

1. Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast them at home...for thou has left thy home to find different...

2. Thou shalt not take anything too seriously...for a carefree mind is the beginning of a fine vacation..

3. Thou shalt not let other tourists get on thy nerves..for thou art paying out good money to have a good time...

4. Remember to take only one half of the clothes you think you need.. and twice the amount of money..

5. Remember thy passport so thou knowest where it is at all times..for a man without a passport is a man without a country..

6. Remember if we were expected to stay in one place we would have been created with roots..

7. Thou shalt not worry...He that worrieth hath no pleasure..few things are ever fatal.

8. Thou shalt not judge the people of a country by the one person with whom thou hast had trouble.

9. Thou shalt not make thyself too obviosly a foreigner...when in Rome, do somewhat as the Romans do.

10. Remember thou are a guest in every land...and he that treateth his host with respect shall be treated as an honored guest..

All of the above is a recipe for a successful vacation.

The great thing about this site is the respect of other experiences & opinions. We all read the perceptions of others., be it good,... bad,.... or indifferent. All members are entitled to their opinion.....with respect, ,however many of us don't necessarily agree with all that is being said. With all that said, I hope I didn't offend anybody. That is not my intent, rather just my opinion.

keeping the faith...

...your island buddy, "Big Juice"