diane - i love all your points. it's nice having your knowledge included in this debate.

i'm just noting that i am nowhere near rich. i still showed up on AC less than 1 yr post-9/11, and the next year too. when the airfare goes up, i still come cuz i love it...i just pick a cheaper room.

i just can't imagine that some of the more elite folks of which you speak will love the back areas of SP - i've heard some NASTY comments about how some of the locals live, dead cars, trash, corrugated homes, laundry out...a lot of people are NOT open minded and can put a lot of negative comments out there on trip advisor and fodor's etc ,regarding their opinions of what they saw on AC.
double edged sword, indeed.