On 12/2/2019 at 11:45 PM, agesilaus said:

OK next item

I don't recall hearing about shootouts in the US where the criminals are allowed to win and to recover arrested criminals from jail. They took police hostage and were allowed to walk away as winners. Can you imagine that happening in NYC for example? That happened a few weeks ago in Mexico. In the El Paso area?

And I don't recall massacres of scores of citizens by the police, like happened in southern Mexico.  Or this in Coahilla.

Or the fact that 130 politicians have been killed down there: link

Or here is a whole series of links.

So do not even try to compare that War Zone to the US.

If you aren't interested in going to Mexico, don't go.  Why waste the time arguing with others who have been going down there for years and are perfectly comfortable doing so? We have some friends who bought a place down there a few years ago and have just gained resident status to live down there permanently.  They are not stupid people, and have chosen to live there knowing all of the facts. 

My wife and I are taking a birding trip to Columbia (the country in South America) next spring. Half of the people that I've mentioned it to are shocked and tell me that they'd NEVER consider going there.  My response is "I understand that you're not interested in visiting Columbia. But we are looking forward to our trip."  That's it.  No need to argue or try to convince them otherwise.  

Unless you just like to argue...

You have a point. But there is some responsibility to warn those who may not have been following the news. I've been to Mexico 4 or 5 times tho I have to confess these were just cross border day trips. And in the right area I'd do it again, but not to Nuevo Larado. If people want to take the risk then it isn't my place to try to stop them. But the people who try to paint a picture of the place that just does not conform to reality are just misguided.

Do you really feel like it is your responsibility to "warn those who may not have been following the news"?  Nonsense. 

These are all adults making adult decisions.  Other people on this thread are simply relating their real-world experiences in Mexico. 

nuevo laredo, cuidad jarez are bad news, I avoid both. If I cross at Laredo, I use columbia bridge. It is a completely diferent country 100 miles south of the border. Like in a pond, the scum rises to the surface. I have lost count of the number of times people have given me the shirt off their back and asked for nothing in retrun. There are bad people everywhere, but a heck of lot of good people as well.

Edited December 3 by telcoman

  On 12/3/2019 at 12:37 AM, telcoman said:

cuidad jarez are bad news,

That's a shame, back in the 80s and 90s we went there alot.  Any family that came to visit us always asked for a trip there to the big market.  We loved it but have heard it's not a good place to visit anymore.  I would love to see it return to the way it used to be, we enjoyed it very much.  Last fall I talked to a Mexican family up here for the harvest.  They said it is much safer than alot of the USA they go to work at.  He said don't be rude or mix it up with one of the cartel ppl and you will have no problems.  Basically, he said don't ask for trouble and you won't get it.  I should have gotten their contact info, would have been fun to go visit them someday.

I think common sense should rule the day, not fear. Yes, anywhere you go is dangerous; some more dangerous than others, but there are things you can do to minimize those dangers. I grew up in New Orleans, a very dangerous place. Heck 13 people were shot there this weekend. There are places there I wouldn't go there at night. Going during the day, especially with a group of people minimizes the risks. 

I'm wintering over in Los Indios, TX right now. Just last week 3 people were shot, not 2 miles from my RV park just across the border in MX, so yes even this, a relatively "safe" area can be dangerous. But will I let this discourage me from visiting Mexico? No.

I will be crossing the border tomorrow, but I will be doing so during the day and with a group who make this trip all the time. Plus I will be choosing a "safer" border crossing. In this area, the locals say that the border crossing into Nuevo Progreso is considered the safest, so that's where we will be visiting. Would I wander through this Mexican border town alone and at night? Certainly not, but I'm sure there are places in Mexico where this is relatively safe to do so, just as they are here - and equally certain there are other places where it is not.

I believe in doing whatever I can to minimize my risks wherever I am, as is prudent, but I won't allow unjustified fear to ruin my life. And the best way to eliminate fear is knowledge and planning. If I decided to take my RV deep into Mexico, it would be well planned and I would go with a caravan that has proven to do so safely many times, as I would be wary of corrupt police and authorities as much as MS-13, cartels or random bad guys. I would definitely learn from the experience of others, like Telcoman who I trust, having done so safely for many years, before hazarding to venture out on my own. But isn't that just common sense? 

Chip

Edited December 3 by sushidog

Good post. Of course one should exercise caution at all times no matter where yoyu are. Shit can happen. Everyone in Canada was shocked in August when the American-Australian couple were murdered in Northern BC. You never know when your number is up.

Sushidog were we on a couple of forums together a few years back? Your handle looks familiar. If so, you probably rememeber wanderingjays (john Seymour). He passed away 2 weeks ago.

Yep, we sure were. Sorry to hear about John.

Chip

Nice to catch up with old friends, Chip. I don't know if you remember Mainecoons (Dan). I had breakfast with him & his wife in Chapala last week. We have kept in touch. They have lived down here for several years now. I used to vist John when I passed through Redding. His health was not great. Heck of a nice guy. I actually got the news via Joe Capps. He has now moved back to NY. I was planning to drop by on my way south but ended up going down through Nevada instead. Wish I hadn't now.

If you are still active any of those forums, maybe you can pass it on. I tried to send an email to the admin of the congress (spacebeing?), but I am  not sure if he will get it as I am no longer active there.

Paul

  On 12/3/2019 at 12:32 AM, agesilaus said:

. . .But there is some responsibility to warn those who may not have been following the news. . .

And there it is.  The "news" - that distorted presentation that mongers fear to the public.
We refer to the five o'clock news as "The Crime Report" - or who-killed-who. . .or who molested who. . .ad nauseam. . .

Thanks for the warning.