Chris-
Thanks for your detailed response. It seems as though the island is vivacious in its own way and surely there are activities to suit everyone's needs. The day-to-day seems to have spontaneous variety although I'm definitely a night person when it comes to entertainment.
In brief I just wanted to say in general Caribbean islands/countries have aspects in common due to their geographic location and history but at the same time history, culture and language are what differentiate many of the Caribbean islands/countries. The DR being the country of comparison is very different just based on its history, culture and the government policies and practices as compared to Barbados and Antigua although I have never been to those two countries or anywhere in the Lesser Antilles. I also believe it's important to compare a Spanish speaking island/country to another in order to extract differences and similarities.
In many other Caribbean islands/countries the government fosters education and out from education there forms a different way of thinking. That alone accounts for the mentality about littering, courtesy, professionalism etc. One has to look at the problem from the source and in the DR it's definitely an educational issue. The government of Barbados dedicates monetary resources to the tourist industry as it is truly the bread and butter of the country. Barbados could not survive without it.
The DR in comparison is an island of contrasts. It is full of pockets of poverty and pockets of affluence. It has the potential to develop and become as efficient in many of the areas you mentioned regarding Antigua and Barbados but that would only happen with a change in mentality and the usage of resources for the designated purpose. The DR is simply not there yet.
I am glad you had a good trip Chris.
-LDG.
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