Robbed by cops in Baja
John M
I just returned from an epic trip into Baja Norte. Only one thing, we
were mugged by Mexican police (not federales)... They took almost all out
cash... Is there anyone I can send a complaint to? Mexican consulate
maybe? I saw the same pigs harass some other campers also... This was at
LaFonda/Alistos...
John
wmwa...@ix.netcom.com
Baja is the most corrupt state in Mexico -- quite a distinction. You
might try writing a complaint, and then using it put your drnk on in
Cabos, for all the good it would do.
Actually, President Zedillo [sp] is making a big show of a crack down on
police corruption and scamming, so you might work up a good media
package on your mishap, notify the tabloid TV shows -- "innocent
Americans preyed upon in tourist heaven...!" -- and send copies of your
press releases and general noise making to Zedillo's office. Who know's,
they might take only half next time... -)
Buena suerte...
CHUNG WU
It happens to a lot of people and there is no way to redress the issue.
If the cops want to rape your girlfriend and blow your knees out, they have the
right in Mexico. If they want to kill you, they can. Just remember that when
dealing with them, be polite and respectful, even though they deserve neither.
It happened to me and last year they beat a Canadian to death, no investigation
no charges, watch your back...and look sharp.
as...@pacbell.net
John M wrote:
>
> I just returned from an epic trip into Baja Norte. Only one thing, we
> were mugged by Mexican police (not federales)... They took almost all out
> cash... Is there anyone I can send a complaint to? Mexican consulate
> maybe? I saw the same pigs harass some other campers also... This was at
> LaFonda/Alistos...
>
*
*******John:
Don't know if this will help, but a Michigan couple I traveled with in
Central America was strong-arm robbed by a traffic cop in a Mexico City
suburb on their trip back home. The guy took about $250. My friends
went to the office of tourism in Mexico City to complain. A woman from
that office actually returned with them to the scene and talked with the
cop. Of course, the cop told her to go pound sand. She told my friends
that she would do what she could, but they figured that was the end of
it. When they got home in Michigan, there was a check from Mexico for
the full amount taken. If I hadn't heard this personally, from people I
know, I never would have believed it. The point of this is: Don't let
it go. Write letters giving full details to every Mexican office you can
think of. Tell them if you don't get satisfaction you are planning a
media event so that other Americans will vacation elswhere. Don't let it
go.
Good luck. ALAN.
John Caldeira
Bullshit. It's generalizations like the above that create racist
tensions. Mexico has laws. The vast majority of visitors to Mexico
have a wonderful time. Most law enforcement officials deserve
respect, as do ours at home. Sure, there are a few bad apples, but
your generalizations are far from fact.
John Caldeira
Dallas, Texas, USA
jcal...@earthlink.net
Acudoc
Also, you might write letters to the major Mexico newspapers, La Opinion
in Los Angeles, the chief of police, the Department of State (U.S.) etc.
Richard
CHUNG WU
jcal...@earthlink.net (John Caldeira) writes:
You obviously know nothing about Mexico. It says in the Berkley Guide that 60 % of all reported rapes were by uniformed police officers. Almost every Mexican I've met told me that the police were the mos dangerous crime syndicate in the country, responsible for a large part of the drug dealing , extortion, gammbeling , assasinations, robbery etc. So according to you they are all a bunch of saints. Oh yeah the Canadian guy tortured himself in a mexican police station, he was so polite he even cremated
himself. You're going to get killed if you think the whole world is Disneyland.
D McWethy
I agree with John. I have spent the last two winters in Mexico,
totalling 8 months, and driving over 16,000 miles, mostly by myself, and
have never had a problem. I have not yet been to Baja, nor driven in
Mexico City, but otherwise from the Texas or Arizona borders, down the
Gulf or Pacific coasts, through Guanuato, Oaxaca, Chiapis and Yucatan
Peninsula I have always been treated with politeness and have had no
problems of any kind.
Typical was the assistance I received in Guaymas when I asked a Transito
(traffic) officer if he could recommend an inexpensive hotel. When my
spanish proved insufficient to understand his directions, he hopped in the
van with me and took me to the place, about 1/4 mile away. He would
neither accept an offered tip nor a ride back to his post. He smiled
and said "Bienveniedos a Mexico", and walked back up the street.
Also, I flew home to the US for two weeks last winter and got an official
document (letter) from Migracion and the Estado de Oaxaca to allow me to
leave my van in-country. I visited one federal office and three state
offices, and no one at any of the offices would accept a fee for their
assistance in preparing this document.
In all the time I have spent at the borders and in Mexico I have never
been asked for nor paid a bribe, and have always been impressed with the
warmth & smiles of the Mexican people I have met and made friends with on
my travels.
I have read the guides, and I have been there, and being there is
better! Hasta luego, Dan
Robert Hafer
Interesting... Although I have not been down there in a long time it is
like anywhere else...if you walk around with a chip on your shoulder (of
any type) somebody will want to knock it off. This is the case anywhere
it the world I suspect.... -rob
J Self
You must live in some kine of never never land. Let me travel with you.
Jim
J Self
> > better! Hasta luego, DanDad,
> Interesting... Although I have not been down there in a long time it is
> like anywhere else...if you walk around with a chip on your shoulder (of
> any type) somebody will want to knock it off. This is the case anywhere
> it the world I suspect.... -rob
>
>
You guys nust be 6 foot 8", weigh 330 pounds, are under 36 and have boxing
scars on your face. I have no chip but I get the shit.
CHUNG WU
The police in Mexico are a bunch of drug pushers, murderers and robbers. You don't need a chip on your shoulder for them to want to kill you. They
routinely kill and torture Mexicans, just read any human rights report from
Amnesty international. I like to go to Mexico a lot. I've lived there for months at a time, but when I bump into the criminal elements of society they inevitabley have police badges.
R MacGuy
My wife and I travel (Drive) to Mexico 8-10 times each year. Also just
got back from 70 days in C.A.
Most all the people are anixous to help including many times getting in
our RV and helping us find our way.
Mexico is another country and sometimes we have been asked for coffee
money at a drug/police check, and even got bit by a Policeman in rural
Panama for $50. Not too much different than the $40 I had to pay a
Colorado cop. He offered to take care of my speeding ticket he was going
to write, or I could spend a night in jail until the next morning and then
fight it. Similar experience in GA many years ago.
We spend over 1/2 our time in the real rural areas, in villages of 100-200
people and have always found the people very friendly and helpful to us.
Attitude and honest interest in the culture seem to make for pleasant
experiences over all.
see ya on the road
\
Thanks much
R Mac...@aol.com
Dave Trissel
>I agree with John. I have spent the last two winters in Mexico,
>totalling 8 months, and driving over 16,000 miles, mostly by myself, and
>have never had a problem. I have not yet been to Baja, nor driven in
>Mexico City, but otherwise from the Texas or Arizona borders, down the
>Gulf or Pacific coasts, through Guanuato, Oaxaca, Chiapis and Yucatan
>Peninsula I have always been treated with politeness and have had no
>problems of any kind.
I also have to chime in and agree. I too have driven up-teen thousand miles
total throughout all of Mexico (including Baja and all by myself) on
several trips and I've never had the least problem or worry. I have to
smile when I hear of others warn about driving at night. After my first
couple of trips in I realized this was bull and now I don't give it a
second thought. At night the only time you have to worry is when you are on
remotely traveled secondary roads where potholes or topos (speed bumps) can
suddenly appear or the rare stray cattle can be about.
You know when I get nervous? It's when I cross the border at El Paso,
Laredo or Ojinaga coming back into the U.S. That's when I remind myself
that I have to start locking the car when I get out of it. Either I live a
very charmed life or the guide-books are full of bull. (Believe me, it's
the latter.)
--
Dave Trissel da...@eden.com
Marc Crepeau
CHUNG WU (cy...@alcor.concordia.ca) wrote:
: It happens to a lot of people and there is no way to redress the issue.
: right in Mexico. If they want to kill you, they can. Just remember that when
: dealing with them, be polite and respectful, even though they deserve neither.
: It happened to me and last year they beat a Canadian to death, no investigation
: no charges, watch your back...and look sharp.
Well, the police in Baja are definately corrupt but I think this
fellow is overstating things a bit. I lived twenty miles from the border
with Baja (on the U.S. side) for most of my life and never heard anything
remotely akin to Mexican police raping an American girl and blowing out
her boyfriend's knees. Yes, I heard a lot of stories about Mexican cops
shaking down tourists for money, but raping or murdering them? No, I can't
recall ever hearing this reported in the news. And it seems to me that
with the hundreds of thousands of Americans that visit Baja every year, if
anything like this were going on it would have *at least* made the local
papers in San Diego. More likely it would have been blown into a huge
international incident.
Now it's certainly possible that I'm mistaken. But if that's the
case, it should be the easiest thing in the world to find and post a few
newspaper articles describing these incidents where Americans have been
raped and murdered with total impunity by the police in Baja. So feel free
to *prove* the allegations about raping and knee-cap shooting police in
Baja and I will stand corrected. Otherwise, I have to say that this is
just a lot of paranoid hogwash.
As for what the fellow who was robbed should do, I agree with
those who have suggested making a huge stink about it. Call or write to
everyone you can think of, including newspapers, TV and radio station,
tourist boards, the governer and police chiefs in Baja, the Mexican
consulate, your representatives in congress etc. Pester all of them to
make a call or write a letter to the appropriate authorities on your
behalf. Baja California has a multi-million dollar tourist industry, and
the last thing they want is to have stories like yours get publicized. I
wouldn't be suprised, if you make enough noise about it, if you can't get
some sort of redress.
Marc Crepeau
<mwcr...@ucdavis.edu>
D McWethy
(Forwarded email at request of "S.L.Rennacker" <s...@crl.com> )
Although Dan's tone is a bit Pollyannaish, I must admit that *I* have
never had any such trouble in Mexico either. On the other hand, I *do*
know a number of people (including my son) who was victimized by Mexican
police (threatened with arrest and released after payment of a "fine" of
most of their remaining money, a camera, and an underwater speargun one of
the cops took a shine to.
Although there is no doubt that there is more police corruption in Mexico
(as in most poor kleptocracies), I bet that the US could compete in terms
of abuse of police power... The wrong people just seem to want to become
police officers (there are idealistic public servants, but I think they
are a minority, and I come from a police family).
: I agree with John. I have spent the last two winters in Mexico,
: totalling 8 months, and driving over 16,000 miles, mostly by myself, and
: have never had a problem. I have not yet been to Baja, nor driven in
: Mexico City, but otherwise from the Texas or Arizona borders, down the
: Gulf or Pacific coasts, through Guanuato, Oaxaca, Chiapis and Yucatan
: Peninsula I have always been treated with politeness and have had no
: problems of any kind.
: Typical was the assistance I received in Guaymas when I asked a Transito
: (traffic) officer if he could recommend an inexpensive hotel. When my
: spanish proved insufficient to understand his directions, he hopped in the
: van with me and took me to the place, about 1/4 mile away. He would
: neither accept an offered tip nor a ride back to his post. He smiled
: and said "Bienveniedos a Mexico", and walked back up the street.
: Also, I flew home to the US for two weeks last winter and got an official
: document (letter) from Migracion and the Estado de Oaxaca to allow me to
: leave my van in-country. I visited one federal office and three state
: offices, and no one at any of the offices would accept a fee for their
: assistance in preparing this document.
: In all the time I have spent at the borders and in Mexico I have never
: been asked for nor paid a bribe, and have always been impressed with the
: warmth & smiles of the Mexican people I have met and made friends with on
: my travels.
: I have read the guides, and I have been there, and being there is
: better! Hasta luego, Dan
--
S. Rennacker (s...@crl.com) Berkeley, California
-- Seconds for some after firsts for all. --
Jim Strain
In article <51iuqr$r...@mark.ucdavis.edu>, ez01...@dale.ucdavis.edu (Marc
Crepeau) wrote:
> Well, the police in Baja are definately corrupt but I think this
> fellow is overstating things a bit. I lived twenty miles from the border
> with Baja (on the U.S. side) for most of my life and never heard anything
> remotely akin to Mexican police raping an American girl and blowing out
> her boyfriend's knees. Yes, I heard a lot of stories about Mexican cops
> shaking down tourists for money, but raping or murdering them? No, I can't
> recall ever hearing this reported in the news. And it seems to me that
> with the hundreds of thousands of Americans that visit Baja every year, if
> anything like this were going on it would have *at least* made the local
> papers . . . .
I tend to agree with Marc. The really violent stuff almost always involves
drugs or big-money organized crime. When foreigners in Baja meet real and
lasting harm at the hands of the police (or other authorities) it is
almost always as a result of a bad error in judgment (at least), such as
thinking it's okay to possess a small stash of a controlled substance, or
engage in what the Mexican authorities may construe as "lewd behavior."
Tijuana's reputation as a wide-open town is very much exaggerated. The
tolerance level for public displays of *any* unconventional behavior is
probably much lower than in your town, *wherever* that may be. There *is*
big-time crime and violence there, but it is seldom, if ever, directed at
innocent tourists.
On the other hand, the police shakedown is so common that it's seldom
reported in the press. In this respect, Mexico is probably no worse than
any other poor country where junior police officers are paid "two dollars
a day and all you can steal." It may *seem* worse in Mexico, but that's
just because the opportunities, i.e., the "rich" tourists, are so
numerous. Moreover, hard as it may be for a self-righteous foreigner to
believe, *not all* Mexican policemen are crooks. Some are as loyal and
dedicated as the idealized crime fighters portrayed on those supposedly
realistic "Cops" shows on TV.
But even those cops who avail themselves of illicit "extra sources of
income" know that tourism is an extremely valuable resource, and that they
(the crooked cops) must be careful not to draw too much attention to
themselves. The bigwigs may usually look the other way, but not if the
incident could endanger the flow of tourist money into town. But is there
anything you can do to reduce your own chances of becoming a source of
supplemental income to a crooked cop? Glad you asked. Like anything
else, the more you know the better your chances of avoiding trouble.
Here's what I've found in my experience:
Some visitors are far more vulnerable to the bite than others, depending
upon a number of "risk factors." Just as in the US, you are more likely
to attract the attention of the police if you are:
Drunk, or appear to be.
Driving recklessly -- or just aggressively.
Appear tentative or fearful (even driving too slow).
Young (under 35) or look as if you are.
Male.
Driving around late at night.
In a flashy vehicle (something sporty like a red Camaro or tricked out bike).
Driving a sports utility vehicle (Jeep Cherokee, Chevy Suburban, etc.).
A soldier, sailor or marine who looks the part.
A surfer, or look like one.
Behaving in a way that a Mexican male might interpret as "unmanly."
Black.
Your risk is further increased if you are any of the above and appear to
have, from the cops's standpoint, more money than you deserve. This is
signalled by any ostentatious display of wealth, such as a car that is too
nice for someone like you (in the cop's view). Other signs of an
oversupply of dollars might include such things as gold chains, expensive
looking sunglasses or other jewelry, flashy clothes, expensive looking
hairstyle, or just a carload of schlocky-but-costly souvenir stuff.
Conversely, your risk is decreased if you appear to be a mature and stable
person who the cop may perceive as having influence or "pull." I've never
heard of the cops taking on a 45 year old bank manager in a Volvo, for
example. You are also less likely to be singled out if you appear
unobtrusive yet confident, and behave as if you are in your element rather
than a clueless rube (it helps to dress conservatively; no plaid shorts or
stereotypical "Mexican" costume items).
The plain fact is, if you are in one of the high-risk categories, your
odds of being hassled are significant, but they're still *way* below even
money, particularly if you'll pay just a lttle attention to your
appearance and demeanor. I've been to the northern (frontera) area of BC
literally hundreds of times, and have never once had an unpleasant
experience with the Mexican cops [unlike certain wannabe gestapo agents in
the US Customs or Immigration services]. In my younger days I fit into
many of the "high risk" categories I mentioned above, but I guess I had
the luck that sometimes attaches to the drunk and/or foolish.
Now that I'm older and have significant gray in my mustache (not to
mention my pony tail), I no more expect to be stopped by the Mexican cops
than by the cops on the US side. In fact, I guess it would be fair to say
that the interest of police officers in every country is aroused by the
same kinds of stuff. Thus, if you've been stopped or questioned more than
once in the past year by the cops in your own country, you might want to
assume an extra-low profile when you visit Mexico.
There are lots of places in the border areas where you can safely let your
hair down and party hearty. But if you stay relatively sober (and act it)
when you get into your car or onto your bike, your chances of trouble with
the cops are really quite small.
. . . jim strain in san diego.
D McWethy
>Although Dan's tone is a bit Pollyannaish, I must admit that *I* have
>never had any such trouble in Mexico either. On the other hand, I *do*
>know a number of people (including my son) who was victimized by Mexican
>police
I don't deny that folks have problems on occasion. I am just relating
what my personal experiences has been.
I too have heard many shocking Mexican police stories, and I know folks
who have been robbed, but I suspect many stories grow with repetion.
When I was sailing a few years ago I heard lots of pirate stories too.
Many of them seemed to stem from one or two unfortunate incidents, and had
become legion from repetition & exageration from one cruising boat to
another.
I travel with the attitude that politeness & lots of smiles go a long way,
and I don't take anything with me that I don't mind leaving behind when I
leave Mexico, and I can't wait to return.
Steve
> >>Bullshit. It's generalizations like the above that create racist
> >>tensions. Mexico has laws. The vast majority of visitors to Mexico
> >>have a wonderful time. Most law enforcement officials deserve
> >>respect, as do ours at home. Sure, there are a few bad apples, but
> >>your generalizations are far from fact.
Generalizations, yes. "Far from fact" ... well I was stopped twice
while driving through Mexico City ... and in my opinion I was robbed
both times. I think my only "violation" was having US plates.
I paid a total of $120 to these fine, upstanding officers. Seems to
me that if I had done something wrong, I should have been issued a
ticket, not "encouraged" to pay my fine on the spot and in US dollars.
Mexico was great, the people are more than gracious ... but like or not,
some of the police officers are crooks. It may be a generalization, but
I only met 2 groups of policemen and I lost money both times.
Salud!
Steve
BajaNomad
<snip>
>allegations about raping and knee-cap shooting police in
>Baja... <snip>... this is
>just a lot of paranoid hogwash.
<snip>
I think I'll raise a Pacifico to all of the paranoia that surrounds North
Americans on travel to Mexico, and *especially* Baja. For if it wasn't
for this, the place would be DELUGED with tourists!!!!!
Here's the address/phone for the Baja California Secretary of Tourism (if
you need it):
P.O. Box 2448
Chula Vista, CA 91912
Phone#: 01152.668.19492
Fax#: 19579
Yeah, I've been hassled for $$$ at times, but that's about the extent of
it. And I CERTAINLY haven't had ANY problems when I'm away from the
cities in a rural locale. People are at their most basic element in these
locations, and they live life "close to the bone." People like this have
little knowledge of politics, living-class, etc. They know what it takes
to survive and enjoy every precious minute of life that's been given to
them. If you were out there in your $20,000 automobile/truck in the
backcountry, and went hiking in your $100 Nikes, with your $500 Nikon
around your shoulder, and hurt yourself..... these people (with few
possessions), would take the last shirt off their back if they needed to
to stop you from bleeding.... and not expect anything in return (except
maybe a little mutual respect). Their reality is that everyone helps
everyone else out.
GOD, what has happened to us in the big cities of North America?????
We're afraid to walk out the door, in fear someone may shoot us down today
(I live in L.A. area, okay!). We're all defensive.... and it all boils
down to the rotten apples making it miserable for the rest of us in the
bunch. We end up not being able to trust anyone, unless you already know
them somehow. Life in largely populated areas becomes more impersonal
than it does in sparsely populated areas.
South Ensenada, I trust ANYONE if I'm in a bind.... and with just reason.
Those who've been there, know it. Those who haven't, don't worry about
it. Stay where you're at. You're right, Mexico is dangerous. And where
you're at, I will presume, is not.... allrighty?
This basic theme has been seen before on the r.t.l-a board. Yes, crime
happens in Mexico (yes, there are rotten apples there too!!). But it also
happens in the U.S. Just look at your newspaper. I see a lot more
shootings/major crimes in Southern California than in Baja on a daily
basis. For me, case closed.
Yes, I have to be smart when in Mexico to avoid being taken advantage of,
but I need to do that in the U.S. too. Some of us just happen to be in
the wrong place at the wrong time, wherever we are, and whatever country
we're in. The luckiest among us, make our own luck by just plain being
aware of our surroundings, and being the smartest travelers we know how to
be.
-------
Doug, the "Baja Nomad"
baja...@aol.com
Baja California Resource Guide for travelers,
located at:
http://members.aol.com/bajanomad/guide.htm
-------
"Escapist" magazine is in the works!!! (escapist.com)
-------
"We know we must go back if we live,
and we don't know why."
--John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
John Caldeira
cy...@alcor.concordia.ca ( CHUNG WU ) wrote:
For a less paranoid view of Mexico dangers, the U.S. Department of
State traveller advisories can be found from their main page at:
http://www.state.gov/
Ernie Gorrie
I believe it was Steve who said...
>Mexico was great, the people are more than gracious ... but like or not,
>some of the police officers are crooks. It may be a generalization, but
>I only met 2 groups of policemen and I lost money both times.
>Steve
Some of the police officers are crooks... Hmm. Given the stories I hear
about police officers in various parts of North America I smile when I hear
complaints from North Americans about Mexican police being "crooks". (Now
when I hear those complaints from Mexicans I view them with more
credibility. Those complaints seem to deal with violent criminal activity
against citizens.)
(For North American, I include the killings of civilians by Montreal police
officers, the RCMP dirty tricks squads during the 1970s Quebec problems,
people in the Vancouver area who had marijuana "confiscated" from them by
police with no due process, along with the myriad stories out of the US.)
Then I consider the experiences I have had with police in Mexico (along
with other Mexicans I have had contact with). While some of the
experiences have been a bit disconcerting (e.g., being asked to get off a
bus at midnight just north of Acapulco), I have never been harassed,
abused, etc. by any official in Mexico.
(Unlike my trip to Nelson BC last month when I drove the wrong way on an
unmarked one-way street and a police officer yelled at me, "Wrong way,
dickhead!".)
I have no doubt there are many criminal activities conducted by police in
Mexico. I also have no doubt that the history of mordida has grown out of
a complex legal system, combined with appalling underpayment of police
officers. The last newpaper article I read on this subject reported the
salary of a Mexico City police officer at $35/week.
We have an expression, "The public can pay politicians well... or somebody
else will." I think the same thing applies for police.
(I have a friend who lives in Mexico. He felt that he was truly being
accepted into the community the first time he was pulled over for
"refresco" money. He figures that sometimes he gets pulled over and pays a
few dollars when he didn't really do anything wrong. But he also knows
that other times he doesn't get pulled over when he did do something wrong.
He sort of views it as working out at least even for him.)
Reply to Ernie_...@mindlink.net
Son of Traven
I thought that would only in the north of Ireland. The IRA has gone to Baja.
>>Baja... <snip>... this is
>>just a lot of paranoid hogwash.
><snip>
>I think I'll raise a Pacifico to all of the paranoia that surrounds North
>Americans on travel to Mexico, and *especially* Baja. For if it wasn't
>for this, the place would be DELUGED with tourists!!!!!
Paranoia can be good. Don't try to quash it. And you couldn't even you
wanted to. Paranoia is an American national pasttime. The brown hordes are
at this minute swarming over the border looking for young Anglo children to
snatch and eat (sarcasm).
other deleted stuff
>Yes, I have to be smart when in Mexico to avoid being taken advantage of,
>but I need to do that in the U.S. too. Some of us just happen to be in
>the wrong place at the wrong time, wherever we are, and whatever country
>we're in. The luckiest among us, make our own luck by just plain being
>aware of our surroundings, and being the smartest travelers we know how to
>be.
Out of the literally "I don't know how many times I've been to Mexico", my
good experiences far outweigh the negatives. And the two worst incidents
that I have we're both my fault (being somewhere where I had no business
being). I have experienced tremendous kindness at the hands of these
beastly Mexican savages (sarcasm), even from POLICE OFFICERS!!! (the
truth). I'll be the first one to admit I've had some luck, hell, luck is
essential for everything in life, but I think I've also got the right
attitude. Most people, including in Mexico, don't act any meaner than their
situation in life requires. The exception to this last statement would be
the US.
New Mexico, it ain't New and it ain't Mexico
Also known as: "The Land of Entrapment"
Capital City: Santa Fake
Son of Traven
>Some of the police officers are crooks... Hmm. Given the stories I hear
>about police officers in various parts of North America I smile when I hear
>complaints from North Americans about Mexican police being "crooks".
My experiences with police in Mexico, and US are limited to the following
(and so I'll include immigration officers as "police"):
I arrived in Palenque late at night and there were no vacant rooms in town;
I ask a police officer what to do; he introduces me to watchman at town
hall; I get to sleep into the city council chambers for free, with my own
personal guard; not that comfortable, but better than sleeping in the street;
I arrived at the Mexico-Belize border at night knowing that they normally
don't issue tourist cards there; Mexican immigration official confirms this,
but says I may enter the country and sleep in Chetumal and that I must
return to the border in the morning; next morning I return; same official
gets me a tourist card and sends me on my way; no charge;
I am driving with two guests from Chiapas on I-25 in New Mexico where I
live; I am stopped by NM State Police for allegedly going 5 over the limit (
although my speedometer is reading the legal limit) and I am issued a
citation; I later check my speedometer and odometer and find both are
properly calibrated; my friends from Chiapas can't believe that a cop
actually stopped me (a $39 fine) for going five over. I explain this to the
judge, but it's a his word against my word case. Of course, I LOSE, "cops
never lie".
I am driving north on US 54 and I see an oncoming state police car in the
distance with his lights on. I pull completely up the road because I see
that he is escorting a double-wide load on a two-lane road. The police car
drives by and waves. Then the semi comes by and...HITS me because I'm not
pulled off far enough (and there was no more shoulder to pull off ON).
Now, whose police do you think I have more confidence in?
Acudoc
Dave Trissel wrote:
> I also have to chime in and agree. I too have driven up-teen thousand miles
> total throughout all of Mexico (including Baja and all by myself) on
> several trips and I've never had the least problem or worry. I have to
> smile when I hear of others warn about driving at night. After my first
> couple of trips in I realized this was bull and now I don't give it a
> second thought.
I agree as well. I've driven thousands of miles in Mexico. No
problems.
At night the only time you have to worry is when you are on
> remotely traveled secondary roads where potholes or topos (speed bumps) can
> suddenly appear or the rare stray cattle can be about.
This however is not to be taken lightly. A cow in the road at night, or
during the day, hit at high speeds will destroy your car, and possible
even the passengers. I have quite a dramatic picture of a cow-car
collision that happened north of Ensenada on the toll road! Rare, but
it does happen.
Richard
Jackyikes
Of course there are cops that will rob you in Mexico. It is a different
country and you need to play by some different rules.
It amazes me that there are 16 previous entries here and no one has
suggested the simplist of answers to most of the problems. Traveler's
Cheques. Use 'em.
I never carry more that $50 US in cash, if I can help it. I also go to
Wal-Mart and buy a watch for $7 and leave my $200 watch in the good old
USA. Keep the rings and necklaces home, too. You don't need to rub your
obvious wealth, by Mexican standards, in their face. And, don't forget to
use the hotel safe, if available.
People need to remember, that since the devaluation of the peso about a
year ago, times are very tough in Mexico. When people are hungry they
will do things they normally would not consider.
My girlfriend is originally from Guadalajara, (there right now) and she
has noticed a big difference from just a year or two ago. You need to
take more precautions, and use your head.
Don't make it obvious that you have money, and better yet, don' t carry
valuables or cash with you. Keep some cash, so they won't get mad at you
if you do get robbed, but keep is reasonable, about 400 pesos or so.
If you can afford to vacation in Mexico, you can probably afford to lose
$50 US.
Odds are it will not happen, but, that way if it does, it won't ruin your
trip.
Going to Puerto Vallarta in December, and can't wait. Adios !!