St. George's , General info:
9/10

Grenada's capital, St. George's, is an attractive colonial town nestled in the hillsides above a horseshoe-shaped harbour. Low, whitewashed and terracotta-roofed buildings follow the sweep of the bay, standing out against the rich green of the surrounding vegetation. During the eighteenth century, the town was partly gutted by three devastating fires, leading to legislation that restricted the height of buildings and banned the use timber.

St. George's , Cheap stuff:
10/10

Real vanilla, sometimes it can be found in the markets for as little as $1US for a 1/2 litre bottle.

St. George's , Different stuff:
9/10

St. George's Town is a place of commerce with the many banks, businesses, and governmental offices. Do not confuse it for the beach. It is often seen as rude or disrespectful for people to walk around Grenada inappropriately dressed, especially if you are dressed for the beach and you are not on it. Do not confuse the laid-back attitude for lazy, as Grenadians have a very formal and conservative attitude about their lifestyle and workplace.

St. George's , Don't miss:
9/10

St. Georges fresh produce marketplace.

St. George's , Food:
8/10

The Caribbean kitchen is famous for spicy dishes, exotic fruits and the most delicious variety of sea food. The cocktail of French, Spanish, Indian and African cooking, makes every dish an adventure

Crab and Callaloo, Crab backs cooked with callaloo and served hot. These are land crabs, not the marine variety.

Pepper pot, several different kinds of meat, beef, oxtail, pork ..... whatever is available, cooked with a lot of pepper, garlic, onions chive and thyme and usually served with rice and peas.

Pig souse, made from the knuckles and trotters and usually with grated cucumber...

St. George's , Hotels:
9/10

St. George's and Grenada offers a variety of accommodations, from small guesthouses to five star, all-inclusive resorts .

St. George's , Safety:
9/10

Grenada is a fairly safe country. There may be more danger for pedestrians on narrow sidewalks and streets than from crime.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Cheap stuff:
1/10

The local market survives - just, given the competition it faces (see above). In the markey one may buy artfully camouflaged poor-quality fruit and veg (that's produce), dodgy electrical goods, replacement hoses for old washing machines and, an exciting addition to the local retail experience, Polish foodstuffs.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Different stuff:
5/10

Stafford has in recent years become home to a large number of mostly young people from eastern Europe. They are quiet, polite, hardworking, healthy and attractive, and perform sterling service in local shops and farms. This failure to blend in with the locals has caused some comment. Mostly appreciative.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Don't miss:
6/10

Um. The open-air Shakespeare at the castle at the end of June is fun. Unless it rains. The park alongside the river has been replanted and developed and is rather pretty in the summer. Unless it's flooded.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Food:
2/10

Don't ask. There are no decent restaurants in Stafford. Although the cafe in Marks is OK.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Hotels:
3/10

The Swan, an old coaching inn, on the main street. There are others, but none that I'd consider. There's a more upmarket one in the village of Acton Trussel, a few miles out of town.

Stafford, Staffordshire , Safety:
7/10

If you're in any way vulnerable (ie. aged, young, drunk or drugged, lost), best to avoid walking around the small areas of suburban low-income housing on the outskirts of town. Gangs of amateurishly unpleasant children and youths might well give you a hard time, in between smashing the glass in bus shelters and gobbing on the few remaining public telephones. Also, the town centre after 8pm on a weekend evening is the rightful domain of the drunken British young adult. There are drunken assaults, there is vomit, there are loud and ugly voices. It's not pleasant. Other then that, no probs.