California girl needing a change!

Talking about race is one thing, making a racist remark is something else.

Hello again

My whole GOAL is to get away from rude and ignorant people so I'm hoping that I can find a sense of peace there.

That statement says a lot about your ideals of the USVI. It appears to me that statement says you have the pie in the sky, pina colada on the beach, everything will be OK once I get to the islands attitude. I know So. Cal. very well. You will not escape anything by coming here or moving anywhere else for that matter. You will still have the exact same issues here, but magnified a few times more because of the nuances of living on an island.

Anyone moving here with a goal of escaping anything is doomed for failure. IMHO. Get over you gripes before coming here. After that it is a beautiful place to live and work. People are usually genuine, kind, and giving.

I hate getting pulled into these topics... but I can't stop myself... let's try this... Ariesaca, David:

- most people here are just trying to help you as a parent would try to help a child. Most folks suggesting caution, I believe are older than you and have shared some of the same experiences and feelings. Try to understand the guidance, knowing it is coming from someone with more experience: it might not fully apply to you exactly, but there are some pearls of wisdom... the difficulty at your age is knowing what is a pearl and what does not apply. No one can help you with that... it depends on your experience.

- Ariesaca, if you were my child (and I'm old enough to be your father), I'd be torn between two approaches with you:
----- I really don't want you to waste time making the same mistakes that I made. I WAY TOO OFTEN jumped into decisions without just stepping back and looking at the big picture first. I think now that if someone would have just told me (fill in the blank) then I could have avoided wasting all of that time on a stupid idea. Folks here are telling you that you won't escape from the way you interact with your environment (you word the problem differently) because a major part of that interaction comes from you.
----- On the other hand, words alone can not always teach an important lesson. Sometimes you have to go through an experience yourself to see the lesson in full clarity. By changing your environment you get to look at yourself from a different perspective. Therefore I'd say there is value in getting out of CA and going somewhere else. It doesn't have to be USVI, but if that's your fancy, then:
------------- it's risky (financially), but you're young (with no family) and can afford a few months or years to experiment
------------- bring enough money to get home and make sure you always have enough money to get home
------------- line up a job and a place to live before you leave
------------- hopefully you'll learn about yourself through this experience
------------- you'll also learn about different cultures, geography, history and biology which will make you a better person

Ariesaca, on the issue of race. My mother told me to treat everyone as I'd like to be treated. Unfortunately, I think this was bad advice. Yes, the basics of it are obviously good and right. However, I am not black, hispanic, asian, etc. I do not fully understand those cultures. So, unfortunately the "treat everyone equal" idea usually gets interpreted as "treat everyone as if they're white (if you're white)". Instead I say "diversity is a good thing... no a GREAT thing". I don't want everyone to be/act white, black, hispanic, etc. Each culture contributes different ideas and ways of approaching problems... from that diversity comes many pearls. So, celebrate the differences of our cultures... the flamboyance and attitude of urban black culture is rich with energy, expression and shows a struggle for acceptance and recognition. It might be somewhat out of place at tea parties, but if a different majority culture starts discriminating against me, I know where I'll get some of my inspiration!

Finally, if you do decide to move to the USVI and find that it wasn't what you expected:
- please don't waste time beating yourself up
- be proud that you had the guts to take a chance for your own betterment
- try to understand where you made your mistakes (don't dwell on faulting others... it's a waste of time)
- don't look back on the negatives, remember the positives
- move on with your life

i don't think it could have been said any better!

EngRMP,

Your perspective and wisdom is very much appreciated. Excellent post!

Really great post.

aries: You are young. Come on down. Don't burn your bridges back home. Don't ship a bunch of stuff. Have a return ticket. Plan to stay for 6 months and then re-evaluate. Bring plenty of money. Come with a sense of wonder. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.

I want to make two comments on your initial post:

"I'm just really craving the simple way of life with a genuine cultured environment (with of course the US touch)"
I am not so sure how simple life is here. You always have to plan ahead. You go to the store and want X, but there is no X. You need to be flexible and settle for Y. OR if you see X, you better buy two, because next time there won't be any X or any Y either. Cultured environment- like a pearl? LOL The Virgin Islands culture is like nothing you have experienced in California. It is like upside down world at times. And only marginally like the US of A.

"I just currently became single, I'm not fond of my job, and I'm in need for a change!!!
Change in marital status and change in employment are two of the most stressful growth opportunities you can experience. On the other hand, you definitely wouldn't be the first woman to move here with those items listed on your vita. Ask yourself if you are running *from* or running *to* something.

ariesaca, you say that you don't get respect from black people because you look like a typical "California Girl". I very much doubt that is the reason. The fact that you even made that statement shows a serious lack of judgement. Remember, you are talking about moving to an island that is predominantly black - why would you even consider that if you have a history of problems with black people? I'm not singling you out, you would be one of many. When you are a guest in a foreign country, you do not insult the local people. It is like going into someone's home and criticizing it.

Just for the record, I am white (I think in America they call it WASP?), with blonde hair and blue eyes. Few things get me more upset than racism. I watched a movie last night about about life in the Southern States (USA) in the first half of the 20th Century, and after seeing the kind of things that happened, it is a wonder that any black person can find it in their hearts to forgive.

"Why not?"

For one reason, I can't go to the Cyril E. King airport here & get a flight to S. America. In many cases, I'd have to fly NW to Miami to get to S. America.

Actually, you can. There are one-way flights from STT & STX to CCS (Venezuela), UIO (Ecuador), CTG (Colombia), PTY (Panama). The cheapest though seems to be to Panama. Cartagena & Panama City were probably my favorite two destinations in South America.

Although you could fly to Miami first, it seems like a lot of extra effort, and a quick search indicated that the prices would be approximately the same (with a total of 4 separate flights as opposed to 2).

I'd also be interested to know if you could get any private flights to any of those destinations. If I were to take a trip, Colombia & Panama would definitely be one of my choices.

Of course I could. I could also fly to Russia or Fiji but there aren't any direct flights from STT to anywhere in SA.

And none of us just get on a plane & take a 350 mile ride right to South America.

Of course I could. I could also fly to Russia or Fiji but there aren't any direct flights from STT to anywhere in SA.

You're right - most commercial flights require a stop in Miami or San Juan.

Is it not possible to take a non-stop private charter anywhere in SA?

Your replies (to me at least) aren't helpful, they are just... useless. If you have information for me it would amazing for you to share but it just seems you antagonize all my posts.

I thought this was a forum for potential visitors and other newcomers to get information, and that's what I came here to do. I also like to share whatever information I find. If you don't have anything useful to add to the discussion, don't bother replying. Adding things like "I could also fly to Russia or Fiji" adds a negative tone to your post and makes it appear combative.

Oh, gee I'm sorry. But what do flights to SA have to do with moving or relocating to the USVI? And you can charter private jets here to anywhere you'd like to go but that's out of my budget. 🙂

David,
Again I agree with you, you're just trying to get useful info and it seems Trade has nothing but negativity and is trying to pick a fight. He must be a really unhappy person who has nothing positive going in his life. I got your back David.

Haha thanks echo! Some people find joy in being an antagonist, it's ok... *-)

Moving on! 😀

"Actually, you can. There are one-way flights from STT & STX to CCS (Venezuela), UIO (Ecuador), CTG (Colombia), PTY (Panama). The cheapest though seems to be to Panama. Cartagena & Panama City were probably my favorite two destinations in South America."

Flights to South America from the USVI, are you kidding? Never use that travel website again.

As far as non-stop flights from STX, the choices are limited to:

AA to San Juan and Miami - flights daily or more
Delta to Atlanta - flights once or twice a week, depending on season
US Air to Charlotte - flights once or twice a week, depending on season
LIAT - several down islands - schedule varies

Cost is rising every day and flight choices are becoming more and more limited. A friend send her daughter to Miami for a camp last week - $650 RT.

The difficulty in getting off STX, especially in an family emergency is something every resident thinks about and plans for. Ric and I have an emergency fund for just such an eventuality.

"Actually, you can. There are one-way flights from STT & STX to CCS (Venezuela), UIO (Ecuador), CTG (Colombia), PTY (Panama). The cheapest though seems to be to Panama. Cartagena & Panama City were probably my favorite two destinations in South America."

Flights to South America from the USVI, are you kidding? Never use that travel website again.

What, Expedia?

Linda, I was looking at prices for RT prices from Miami and they have risen considerably from a year ago. Best prices I was getting was $410 RT. I think it was under $300 a year ago!

Echogirl, I'm not a guy. David has had that same misconception. But what do I know? 😀

David, I know all about the cost of flights -- I fly back and forth several times a year.

What did you pay last time you were here?

Someone needs to take the high road and end this feckless bickering. The arguing is pointless and is putting a damper on an otherwise great message board filled with resourceful, insightful and friendly posts courtesy of ALL of you amazing people. Have a great day!

Lindia, I was just noting how crazy it is how expensive flights are becoming. I think it was around $300 last time I flew.

Trade,
Sorry for thinking you were a guy, guess its the name that made me think that.
Have a Wonderful Day!!! 🙂

Trade,
I had that misconception as well.

Trade we need an avatar! I know mine doesn't represent my gender, but I think my name does 😀