| A Scary Article |
Michelle and I have spent months in the Bahamas and I have never felt threatened there. Certainly Nassau is kind of a scary place after dark - in fact, you probably shouldn't be out after dark, alone, at least, in Nassau. We met one unsettling individual on Mayagauna - but we met so many more fantastic people on that island that I didn't give the one guy much thought. It was probably just my perception, anyway. But the St. Petersburg Times newspaper recently ran an article (see below for links) about the rape of an American tourist on Bimini. Several months later, that same individual murdered two Australian tourists. I didn't even know there were murders on Bimini. The Bahamas are, in my experience, an extremely safe place to visit. I've traveled through many countries and the Bahamas is certainly at the top of the list from a safety standpoint. From my experience, the small size of the towns have much to do with that - it's tough to get away with stuff when everyone knows you and is watching. There are incredibly good, caring and decent people there - and my life is richer from meeting some of them. But as the articles make so clear - you have to be careful everywhere these days. It's also important to keep in mind that no matter how rich or poor you think you are - if you are on a yacht in the Bahamas, you are probably rich in the eyes of the people there. Try not to flaunt it. In fact, blending in makes the adventure so much more enjoyable. Give it a try - I'm sure you'll see what I mean. Fair Winds & be careful out there! Mitch From the St. Petersburg Times: It Can Be A Hard Trip To Justice Overseas (March 26, 2006) Awaiting Trial, Rapist Charged With Murder (March 26, 2006) In The Bahamas, Rapes Often Go Unnoticed (October 10, 2005)
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