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A Secondhand Tale of Mexico
An Army friend of mine was stationed in Honduras awhile back and used to work counter-drug operations with the SF folks. Now typically, everyone gets to Soto Cano by just flying the Air Force cargo flights out of South Carolina.
Now, this is a second hand story from my friend, so I can't remember if they were active SF or former SF turned contractor ... but regardless. These "tough guys" decided they would drive to Honduras. They described the drive as no problem whatsoever, except for several stretches in Mexico where they agreed in advance to drive at maximum speed, not stop for anyone/thing and that everyone would be locked 'n loaded for the duration of the speed run. When those guys say Mexico is dangerous ... it's dangerous.
RE: Save it
i understand the logic about thinking mexico city is safer...but i am much more at ease in our border towns than i am in mexico city...
out of all the international travels i have had, MC is the only place i have ever truly be on "full alert" the entire time...and that is considering the fact that the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front not anybody's mother) bombed a bus parked across the street from my hotel in Manila...yes, i was scared when that happened, but it was a much more finite amount of time and for a diferent reason...i wasn't afraid of the MILF grabbing me bc i was american...
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RE: Save it
I have heard of and seen such things happening in Mexico.
I live in SoCal and we frequent Tijuana. I have never felt completely unsafe, but I always consider where I am: It is a dog eat dog place. Desperation brings out a certain side of people. I was held for about 20 minutes (admittedly it was for drinking in the street) while my friends argued in Spanish for an officer to let me go. This was on the bridge crossing back into U.S. in broad daylight. We had to pay the officer $50. Again, I admit I was in the wrong. That was my first and last slip up in Mexico: a bargain basement price on an education according to other stories I've heard.
A high school friend of mine was held in a TJ jail for a week while his parents were told to wire $1000. Only each time they wired money, they were told the transaction did not go through. Their bank account showed it was going through for a total of $3000.
The last time I was there (Dec. 29) I saw 30 soldiers in riot gear hanging out in the street. This was on a Saturday at about 9:00AM. I remember as we had just eaten breakfast. Oh yeah, did I mention I stay the night in seedy TJ hotels? I am surprised I haven't gotten scabies yet as my other travel companions all have.
So I understand the risks associated with Mexico. However, I hear that Mexico City is considerably more safe as (and this is the biggest factor in my mind) it is not a border town. Also, I think it matters that the economy of D.F. is much better and less reliant on small-time corruption (like shaking down American kids). Mexico gets a bad rap and it's largely due to the border towns.
At any rate, I would really rather go to Buenos Ares. My girlfriend is Mexican and she wants to visit D.F. as she has never been. But Buenos Ares sounds so much more attractive to this white, blond haired, blue eyed second generation French-Canadian, Anglo-American.
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