St. Maarten Private Eye

I have been to quite a few places around the world and that is why I have a perspective. I am not trying to be mean, I am just trying to kick a few people in the butt not to loose theirs...

The pot holes in the roads, the smell every time it rains, the corruption among politicians, authorities and police force, the pointless bureaucracy, the getto style construction. All these things are typical signs of a thirld world country. How long do you want me to make the list? I could go on and on.

I am not talking about the Netherlands Antilles in general, I am discussing St Maarten. Don't insult Saba. Saba doesn't look like a city dump.

Have you seen the YouTube clips with the old pictures what Cole Bay and the lagoon used to look like? Hard to believe it is, but there used to be beautiful beaches.

There isn't a scientific definition of third world, but if you would like to define third world architecture it would have to be the getto style construction in Cole Bay (not to mention Sandy Ground).

The lack of environmental laws are typical signs of third world. The lack of building codes (and I am especially thinking about the aestetic side) is a typical thirld world symptom.

I have a acquaintance, originally from Africa, who was shocked when he first moved to St Martin. Shocked. He says that even if people are a lot poorer in the country where he originally comes from at least people try to keep it clean around there houses even if they only have a palm leaves to sweep the streets with. Here's garbage everywhere. I know this isn't true everywhere in Africa, since I have been there, but I certainly understand what he means. He said he was expecting neat little Caribbean houses in vivid colors - not the shanty towns - and I agree, who doesn't?