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BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico?
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Subject: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Mrrzy Date: 10 Nov 13 - 08:28 PM Or, conversrely, to go? This would be for 2 weeks, Kwanzaa and the one after. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST,Ed T Date: 10 Nov 13 - 09:46 PM IMO, Some locations are safe (such as inside resorts and traditional tourist spots), many are not so much (from crime, that is). If you get in legal trouble while there, deep pockets can help. A Mexican friend of mine said some resort areas are safe, because the "bad guys" have an interest in keeping 'em that way (part ownership and bribes). |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Maryrrf Date: 10 Nov 13 - 10:24 PM Most probably you would go and have a wonderful time, but I think it's getting somewhat dodgy. I used to go to Mexico a lot on business back in the late 1990's. At that time it was mostly Mexico City that was a problem. There were many incidences of people being picked up and robbed by phony taxis. I tend to be guided by what the locals tell me, and they were very adamant about never taking a random taxi on the street - only a taxi that had been ordered specifically from a known and trusted taxi company. I personally knew two people that this happened to and while they got out alive it was terrifying - the taxi drove them to a deserted warehouse district where the rest of the gang was waiting, and they threatened to gouge their eyes out with an ice pick if they didn't reveal the PIN numbers of their credit cards. Another acquaintance was sitting at an outdoor cafe in one of the nicest areas of Mexico City (foolishly, he was wearing a Rolex watch). Two men strode up, held a gun to his head, took the watch, and threw him down on the sidewalk. The onlookers helped him up and advised him not to bother calling the police, as nothing would be done. Last year I was in Guadalajara, and my Mexican friends were very skittish about where they went. There were certain areas they avoided altogether, and other places where they wouldn't go at night. They avoided driving on highways at night as well. Mexico is a wonderful place and most of the people are really helpful and friendly, but it's going through a crisis now on several levels, and it would be wise to exercise caution. Most of the locals seem to have a pretty good idea of what areas and situations to avoid, and I'm sure if you were at a hotel they'd be glad to offer advice. If you anticipate using taxis, it's a good idea to find a taxi driver through the hotel, and then arrange to use that driver whenever you need transportation. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Songwronger Date: 11 Nov 13 - 12:05 AM Kidnappings are commonplace. You're usually not killed after the money is handed over. Try to stay clear of the drug activity. Thousands die along the US/Mexican border each year in the cartel wars. I forget which cartel the US government is backing at the moment, but you should probably study up on that. The last time I was there I had to step around insulent troops occupying the border town. I'm sure the guns pointed at my head from the crooks of arms weren't meant to intimidate me. And if you're going there to celebrate Kwanzaa you might want to do that in a group setting. If you're black and alone then some gang member could be tempted you as part of an initiation right. Otherwise you should have a blast. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Amos Date: 11 Nov 13 - 12:28 AM Where are you thinking of going? Heavily tourist areas tend to be safe. I would take statements like "kidnappings are commonplace" with several grains of salt. I lived in Jalisco for a year in the 90's, quite happily, but things were calmer then, I guess. I cross the border several times a year for dental work, and never even see a problem let alone have one. The best advice on situations in far-away places is the US Foreign Service who keep notifications of hotspots on their web site. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST Date: 11 Nov 13 - 02:31 AM A firend of mine was kidnapped and murdered. take care out there. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: JohnInKansas Date: 11 Nov 13 - 03:36 AM Before going to Mexico, it is highly recommended that you ask your own embassy for advice on how safe it is, and for identification of what places are safe and what ones are a greater risk. You may be able to find "traveller advisories" at your embassy website, or at the US embassy websites, but a direct request indicating where you'd like to go may get advice omitted from the general notes. You should look before you leap for any travel across the Mexican border (IMO). (Some border parts of California, Arizona, and Texas may not be much safer, but nobody publishes "official" information on those.) John |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: kendall Date: 11 Nov 13 - 07:03 AM Mexico Maine is safer. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST,olddude Date: 11 Nov 13 - 10:48 AM don't drink the water |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST Date: 11 Nov 13 - 10:52 AM ""don't drink the water"" ...do drink the beer, tequila and mescal;) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 11 Nov 13 - 11:06 AM I would be more concerned about corrupt Mexican cops than narco bad guys. I've heard numerous tales of people being entrapped into buying drugs or stolen goods and then having to bribe their way out of jail sentences. Go to Mexico Beach, Florida instead. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 11 Nov 13 - 11:44 AM Mexico City a great place. Listen to the folk and mariachi in the main plaza at night. Visit the museums, the cathedral, and enjoy the fine food. Need a jacket at night- can be cool, 18C or lower. Lunch on major downtown streets from booths, clean and good, esp. the hot beef and pork sandwiches. Select by watching where the business people stop and order. Google Mexico City's best restaurants. Stick to meat and fish, some of the offerings are not suited to our tastes. Like all large American cities, stay out of dark streets and leave valuables in the hotel safe (or room in upscale hotels). Odd places- Tapachula in western Chiapas. An isolated market city, but some good restaurants, clean. The plaza has a place near a corner making frozen drinks that are excellent. Take to their corner of the plaza and enjoy. High above the coast and close to it, but nothing developed yet. Excellent hotels. Mountains and coffee plantations. Near the Guatemalan border. Always drank beer in Mexico (esp. Dos Equis). Fruit juices in bottles or cans OK. Caution- get it where they have refrigerated storage. Some small rural places put the bottles in a large cooler with ice. The ice water can be contaminated. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Don Firth Date: 11 Nov 13 - 02:01 PM Back in the mists of antiquity, a friend of mine went to Mexico for some time, and while there, met and married a Mexican girl. Since, they have lived mostly in Seattle, and have had four children, all grown up now. They still make a couple of trips a year to Mexico (in or near Mexico City) and generally stay for a few weeks, visiting Angela's relatives. While there, they have any medical or dental work they need done because many doctors and dentists are U. S. or European trained, are top rate (if you shop around, ask questions, and solicit recommendations), do excellent work, and charge far less than doctors and dentists stateside. Of course, the two of them know the territory very well. They thoroughly enjoy their visits and never have any problems. Don Firth P. S. My one sojourn in Mexico was while Barbara and I were visiting friends living in Long Beach. They took use down to Tijuana for an afternoon. I got solicited for sex about a half-dozen times by really lovely Mexican girls, children begging were thick as fleas (a pair of soleful eyes looking up pleadingly at a "rich" American). Several street photographers with Polaroid cameras wanted to take my picture standing next to a burro and charge me an exorbitant rate for the souvenir photo. I was offered a genuine Mexican guitar for $25.00. Beautiful inlay work, but beads of sap were oozing out of the green wood. It would either start cracking or turn into a pretzel in the near future. Barbara bought a beautifully embroidered dress for a mere $25.00. Very nice! The enchilada and beer were excellent, but I had to keep brushing off the six-year-old with the cocker spaniel eyes who hovered at my elbow and every time I set the enchilada down on my plate to take a swig of beer, he'd put on a starved look and ask, "Are you going to finish that?" His starved look was belied by the fact that he was unhealthily chubby. He could stand to skip a whole lot of meals. Milking tourists from the U. S. is the main industry in Tijuana. But Tijuana isn't really Mexico. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST,Stim Date: 11 Nov 13 - 07:49 PM I suspect you've seen this already. State Department Travel Advisory on Mexico. They tend to be fairly realistic in their assesssments. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Mrrzy Date: 12 Nov 13 - 12:57 AM We ate, we drank, and we were merry And we got typhoid and dysentery Oh, sorry, that would be a music thread (BG)! Hmm, kind of hwat I've been hearing... thanks all. Good songs? FYI, Kwanzaa in this context meant the one-word word for the week between $mas & new year's. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 12 Nov 13 - 05:31 AM I have holidayed in Cozumel, Cancun and Banderas Bay. Wonderful beach holidays with no problems at all. I did not venture out of the resorts though. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Dave the Gnome Date: 12 Nov 13 - 07:58 AM Same as Keith. Went to Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. Had a great time but stayed mainly in resort. The people are very friendly in the main but beware of traders. They are not particularly bad, but do see tourists as easy money. Be prepared to bargain and have some serious hard sell but do remember it is quite a poor country and they do have to make a living! Enjoy! DtG |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: number 6 Date: 13 Nov 13 - 01:49 AM Been to Mexico a couple of times ... spent this past month of February on a photo trip searching out ancient abandoned sites out and around of San Miguel,Guanajuato (one of the most beautiful cities I've been to) and Mexico City, an amazing metropolis .... never felt unsafe at all and sometimes we where out in the middle of nowhere. It can be concerning and dangerous for gringos travelling up along the border areas to the U.S. You would certainly be more safe in the resort areas such as Cancun than you would be in Orlando FLa.. Mexico ... extraordinary culture, wonderful people, wonderful food. biLL |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: mayomick Date: 13 Nov 13 - 03:51 PM you should be ok , but don't wear any sort of hat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 13 Nov 13 - 06:46 PM I mentioned Tapachula a day or so ago. Today a google add showed up on my Mudcat Café from Holiday Inn Express in that city, offering rooms for a guaranteed rate of $98. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 13 Nov 13 - 06:48 PM Why not wear a hat?? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Nov 13 - 09:37 PM I gotta say, I'm with Kendall on this. Why visit Mexico, when you can visit Maine instead? Maine is equally exotic, and you won't end up being kidnapped or having intestinal disorders. And lobster is really cheap this year. I've been to Tijuana and Calexico, and I felt very brave taking a taxi and going farther than I could walk into Calexico. Both places looked like war zones to me, so I felt very much on edge. Egypt felt the same way - but I was committed to that and stayed for two weeks (and had raging diarrhea for a week afterwards). It ain't worth it. Go to Maine. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: number 6 Date: 14 Nov 13 - 02:24 PM I never saw anything that resembled a war zone on my trips to Mexico ... sure, saw some neighbourhoods of destitute poverty, but I must say the people still had a sense of pride, life and spirit within them ... the closest I have seen in regards to a 'war zone' were I felt on the edge was Detroit. Mexico ... the trips were certainly worth it. I happen to live 40 minutes from Maine and travel quite frequently into that state. I can attest to the fact that it is truly a wonderful place to be in. ... comparing Mexico to Maine is like comparing apples and oranges. biLL |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: number 6 Date: 14 Nov 13 - 02:58 PM Here is a sampling of some of my photos of Mexico I did from my trip last February ... bottom line is I can think of no reason as to why you would not go to Mexico ... unless you are super paranoid or do like Mexican food Mexico biLL |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Don Firth Date: 14 Nov 13 - 03:57 PM Among many other things, I would love to visit some of the archeological sites (sights), like Aztec and Inca ruins, pyramids. . . . History! Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST,Stim Date: 14 Nov 13 - 09:59 PM If you haven't seen the war zone, go to Google Images and search "Border Fence", Number 6. You'll the wall of barbed wire, steel, and chain link fences, and no-man's land that separates the First World from the Third world. And if you don't think it's a war zone, look for pictures of the crosses. There are thousands of them. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Joe Offer Date: 14 Nov 13 - 10:12 PM I've seen pictures like that, Number 6, but that's not what you'll see in Calexico, on the California-Mexico border across from Mexicali. Both towns look like they were once thriving communities, but that was 75 years ago. Now they look bad. Calexico on the California side, just looks run-down, except for the big stores like K-Mart that cater to Mexican visitors. Mexicali on the Mexico side, looks like a war happened there. Tijuana looks a little better, but not much. I've heard that the interior of Mexico is much better - if you don't go to the wrong places. As for me, I'd rather go to Maine. I have to admit that the beer is better in Mexico, though. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: number 6 Date: 15 Nov 13 - 12:22 AM Well guys if you go to Maine you certainly won't see anything like a war zone but if you go to Detroit it would be hard to believe you are in the same country ... they're are certainly other cities in the U.S. that have violent neighbourhoods, that ones you would not want to wander into ... you would be be shocked to see fields with crosses for each person murdered in the U.S., but there is no such visible eveidence ... as per that wall .. well the one built by the U.S.A ... it is a feeble attempt to keep the the world's poor out of the country ... you know, the ones that take jobs that a gringo won't even think of working at ... and I should mention all those fears expressed on this thread about getting kidnapped and shot ... well that is a sense of paranoia of fueled by the mainstream media, to a somewhat already paranoid nation ... I certainly would not be afraid to venture through the U.S. even though there are those that would say stay out of malls and cinemas because you might get shot by some crazed gunman armed to the teeth with assault rifles ... come on kids ... there are a lot of places in a lot of countries were one shouldn't venture into, but there a a lot places in those countries that are not dangerous, and abound with magnificent beauty and culture. Before you go pointing fingers at others people's backyards, take a look at your own first. I have plenty of pictures from Maine, but I don't have any of Detroit ... ;) biLL |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: number 6 Date: 15 Nov 13 - 12:38 AM BTW ... I'm not making an attempt to troll here, or incite others to start up the old madcat madness ... just trying to state some first hand experience ... I won't be posting anymore to this thread ... I've said what I have to say and posted some first hand visual evidence of my experiences in a wonderful country and it's people that I have come to love. biLL |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Joe Offer Date: 15 Nov 13 - 01:36 AM I dunno, biLL, I certainly appreciated the photos and your opinion. It made me think again, and maybe I will try a trip to mexico sometime. I'm from Detroit originally, and somehow it doesn't seem as scary to me as it does to others. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST,.garg Date: 15 Nov 13 - 06:51 AM When you die in Mexico, there are always two stories. There is the Mexican version and then there is the truth. www.mexicovacationawareness.com/victims.htm The stories of getting a corpse out are gripping. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST Date: 15 Nov 13 - 07:25 AM US govt. Reports over 2000 American deaths in Mexico over the last ten years. travel.state.gov/law/family_issues/death/death_600.html?country=124&yr=2004&yr2=2009&mth=1&mth2=12&start=0 Silly gringos loco in the cabasa. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST,Mrr at work Date: 15 Nov 13 - 09:16 PM Why no hat? I do wear a hat almost at all times. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST Date: 15 Nov 13 - 09:32 PM That may well be, but do NOT wear one in Mexico. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Mrrzy Date: 16 Nov 13 - 06:59 PM Or is it just that if I wear a hat I can't dance in Mexico? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Louie Roy Date: 16 Nov 13 - 08:12 PM Everyone to their own taste but there is no place in the world that can compare with what we have here in the good old USA from Maine to CA and Florida to WA and anywhere in between. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Bonzo3legs Date: 17 Nov 13 - 12:38 PM Given the choice between a Latin American country and the USA, I would choose the Latin American every time. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Zen Date: 18 Nov 13 - 08:14 AM I only have experience of Mexico City and places within a couple of hours drive of it but loved it. Wonderful people, wonderful food, lovely welcome. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: frogprince Date: 18 Nov 13 - 11:06 AM I was in Tijuana for all of a few minutes, in 1967. I was wearing Navy reg shoes, and probably would have smelled obviously of Navy anyhow. I had barely walked over the line when a couple of Mexicans offered me a girl "fresh in from the country, guaranteed not over twelve years old". I turned around and walked back over the bridge. A friend has gone down into the Baja several time recently to work at an orphanage there for some of the winter. He says that the drug cartel people have done one thing for Tijuana: They put out the word that guys caught coming down after children would be castrated. They kept their word. It has been a rather effective deterrent. On the other hand, the same friend had a very scary time coming back to the border last spring. He was told that he had "disrespected" a traffic direction sign at the border (the sign wasn't visible until he reached the point at which he was confronted). He was detained for some time and ordered to sign a lengthy statement that he couldn't read. Along with his signature he put a note saying he was signing under duress and couldn't read the statement; they let that go. His wallet was taken, finally returned minus $200.00. When he got to the U.S. side, the border personnel said that they had seen what went down, so at least they would have been aware of it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: mayomick Date: 26 Nov 13 - 08:16 AM Sorry Mzzry If you're ever in Mexico proper, And you're wearing a straw hat or topper, When the band starts to play, call a copper, 'Cause by now you should know That they'll grab your chapeau, And they'll stomp till it's flat, And that's that! That's what Mexicans do on your hat. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: Mrrzy Date: 26 Nov 13 - 02:00 PM Ah, I should have known it was a music reference. There is a data pattern called the Mexican Hat Dance and that is what I thought you were about... Then there is the old Tom Lehrer In Old Mexico... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Are there reasons not to go to Mexico? From: GUEST,Nice Story Date: 02 Dec 13 - 12:24 AM Some background info before you go....follow the link at the end of the article for even more BBC information. bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25032305 |
