AK via LD... How about Mexico? February 04, 2012, 09:08:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128373All these glowing reports of AK are tempting. However - Since acquiring our LD, we have wanted tour Northern/Southern Mexico. Back in the 60s, we were residents for 8 years in Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Yucatan; as bush pilot. Have read a few recent testimonials saying "No Problem!" -- Has anyone recently (last 12-18 mos) LD traveled Mexico? Know someone who has? Thanks- Jack.. from SunNFun RV, Tulare, CA.
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #1 – February 04, 2012, 09:34:27 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128375I just talked with an RVer today who traveled down the west coast of Mexico to San Blas last winter with no major problems (from drug gangs or banditos). He did end up in jail for two days because of a traffic accident which his insurance company handled. I didn't realize that Mexican citizens were not required to buy car insurance and that often as not, the American is the guilty party one way or the other (witness testimony, police testimony, etc) in an effort to get money from the deep pockets. He made it back safely but never returned with the completion papers meaning the other driver may still seek further damages. Now he is reluctant to return to Mexico because there may be unfinished business still logged into the computers at the border. He did say he was treated royally when in jail, however. I think they call that "Adventure Travel". Wow! Think I just talked myself into hanging around New Mexico rather than going across the border. Happy Travels! David (1998 MB LD)
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #2 – February 04, 2012, 10:57:59 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128380Your sharing David is appreciated. Similar stories have happened for many years. A fine Mexican professor taught me during language study, that if was ever
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #3 – February 05, 2012, 08:16:02 am Yahoo Message Number: 128383For Baja, see http://forums.bajanomad.com/ for up to date info and current trip reports.best, paul"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive... to breath, to think, to enjoy, to love."~ Marcus Aurelius
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #4 – February 05, 2012, 08:24:22 am Yahoo Message Number: 128384Oh, and San Felipe is a no brainer and only 2 hours south of El Centro.As you enter San Felipe go around the circle 270 degrees and exit (effectively a left turn). Go to the end and look left. You'll see Kiki's full hookup RV Park right on the Sea of Cortex (with safe water).Say hello to Kiki from the Smith's Walk to town and go to Rice and Beans right on the malecon. Best shrimp cocktail and margarita in town (and we tried them all). We've heard but have not done it, that you can now go south from San Felipe and get to MX 1. If you do this be sure to go to Bahia de Los Angeles. Very beautiful.best, paul"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive... to breath, to think, to enjoy, to love."~ Marcus Aurelius
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #5 – February 05, 2012, 08:29:22 am Yahoo Message Number: 128385Apparently, he did not choose the lawer option in his insurance. I always do. That's the guy that keeps you out of jail."When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive... to breath, to think, to enjoy, to love."~ Marcus Aurelius I just talked with an RVer today who traveled down the west coast of Mexico Quoteto San Blas last winter with no major problems (from drug gangs or banditos). He did end up in jail for two days because of a traffic accident which his insurance company handled. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #6 – February 05, 2012, 08:50:26 am Yahoo Message Number: 128386Just FYI, I have friends who have done the Carrera Panamericana Vintage race from Tuxla to Laredo over several years. A few years ago one of the drivers was involved
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #7 – February 05, 2012, 10:41:35 am Yahoo Message Number: 128389"J d Walker" wrote: Since acquiring our LD, we have wanted tour Northern/Southern Mexico. Back in the 60s, we were residents for 8 years in Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Yucatan; as bush pilot. --- Jack, "back in the 60s" (and early 70s), I drove by myself over much of northern and central Mexico down as far as Oaxaca, first in a VW and later in a little Honda wagon, for weeks at a time; plenty of well-remembered adventures, but I never felt unsafe. But that was then, this is now; "drogas" and the cartels which control the trade have radically changed the situation. Candidly, despite being able to speak Spanish and having a good understanding and appreciation of the cultures, I would be very hesitant about traveling in the RV in Mexico now. (Note that I am not talking about Baja or the "turista hotspots" like Rocky Point.) I'm aware that many people travel in their RVs without incident in Mexico, and that when road travelers *do* get into trouble, it's often as a result of a lack of basic common sense and their own dumb actions. Whether to travel in Mexico or not is a choice which each person has to make, but I suggest that making the choice should be backed up by plenty of preparation, "study", and realistic "risk weighing" beforehand. There are plenty of sources in print and online about travel in Mexico, but quite a few are not particularly current. The must-read resource (IMO) is David Eidell's excellent, comprehensive series on Mexico: http://rversonline.org/RV4Mex.htmlOther online websites which contain useful information are: http://www.mexicomike.com/driving/RV.htmhttp://www.ontheroadin.com/http://www.mexconnect.com/ Mike and Terri Church have a Mexico travel book; the currently offered one (sold through Amazon) was published in 2009, and they're working on a new edition now. Check their website - www.rollinghomes.com - for updates provided by readers. (The "Church books", for whichever areas they cover, are essential travel resources, IMO.) Some also recommend the "Lonely Planet" publication on Mexico; it's not geared toward RV travel, but it offers a lot of other information. I believe that "testimonials" can often be helpful in decision-making, but I suggest making sure not to compare "apples to kumquats", i.e., the experiences of a person who flies to PV and stays in a upscale hotel are *not* the same as the RVer traveling the roads.As ever, YMMV, and on this topic, definitely! ;-)Joan
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #8 – February 05, 2012, 01:09:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128393I agree with Joan. You have to think it through. But I work for the federal government and we are forbidden to go into 90% of Mexicos states on official travel. Personal travel is not forbidden but seriously frowned upon. It is all related to drug war violence and Mexico is on the State Departments warning list. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.htmlRegards' Lydia
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #9 – February 05, 2012, 01:17:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128394In a message dated 2/5/2012 11:09:18 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, no_reply@yahoogroups.com writes:I agree with Joan. You have to think it through. But I work for the federal government and we are forbidden to go into 90% of Mexicos states on official travel. Personal travel is not forbidden but seriously frowned upon. It is all related to drug war violence and Mexico is on the State Departments warning list. _http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html_ (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html)Regards' Lydia I don't see Cuba on that list, and think that Egypt should be on that list. Escondido, CA John[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #10 – February 05, 2012, 01:46:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128395A further observation about traveling in Mexico with RV. Beyond the problems of the Banditos and Drug Gangs, the local police have become a major problem extorting monies for one reason or another that end up with sizeable fines or days in jail or both. Because local police agencies have taken over the law in some cases, there are no hard and fast rules...but it usually involves paying dollars. $500-$1000 cash to settle a case is not unusual. I use to cross the border at Tecate for years (with car) and never had a problem. That's all changed. When you can't trust the local authorities, IMHO it's better toto stay away. I travelled in Baja California for over 20 years and I would love to go back. But it's not worth the anxiety when there are so many lovely places in the USA. David (1998 LD MB)Messages in this topic (10)Recent Activity:New Members 11New Photos 9New Files 4Visit Your GroupSwitch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use.[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #11 – February 05, 2012, 02:22:33 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128397I don't think a lot has changed about visiting Mexico other than its much worse now. Back in around 1970 I traveled by car to Tijuana with three fellow employees from General Dynamics. We were visiting a manufacturing facility belonging to another major aerospace company. When the border guard saw our suits, we were shuffled off to the police station, where we cooled our heels for about an hour until the plant manager of the company we were visiting came to our rescue. I don't know how much he had to pay the police to release us, but it was a substantial amount. Our ordeal wasn't over. We then had to go to the immigration office in the building that goes over the main highway. There, we were individually questioned for another hour or so before they would release us. The plant manager told us to never wear a suit when coming down there. You have to pretend you are tourists.More recently, last year our son-in-law was making trips to Nogales to set up a manufacturing company. Within a couple of weeks, he was told by his company to never return to Nogales. It was just too dangerous. People who choose to visit the border towns of Mexico do so at their own risk. A considerable risk I might add. It's kind of hard to get anywhere in Mexico without going through a border town. Unless you fly.Dick
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #12 – February 05, 2012, 02:35:07 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128401Here's a recent rip report, border town and more: ( http://www.chucksweb.net/Trips/2011/Baja-Dec/Baja-Dec.html )It's from: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=58039Our experience with the town of Mexicali has always been positive. Including 3 months ago when we walked across for (outstanding) dental care.best, paul"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive... to breath, to think, to enjoy, to love."~ Marcus Aurelius
Re: AK via LD... How about Mexico? Reply #13 – February 05, 2012, 06:33:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128410If anyone remembers "Blue's" (1990 MP) license plate frame "I'd rather be Racing the Carrera Panamericana"... I've been the co-piloto and gopher for quite a few racing seasons. We would have a Federale escort, and there were crashes (our car, 1998) and fatalities (spectators leaning out as the cars go by)(Not our car)... even with the Federales, there were legal issues. ALWAYS get the most/best comprehensive insurance and follow the laws. My daughter, Jennifer, now lives in Mexicali and works in El Centro (so Blue is parked in purgatory in the San Fernando Valley), and she is not afraid to cross there. But the cartels are starting to make noises there. The further away from the main traffic routes, the better in my opinion. The Mexican people are lovely, friendly and there are beautiful areas to visit, not to mention the food, fresh fruits, etc... Our good friend Juan no longer drives down to Zacatecas, and my Son In Law, was as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs when he was in Juarez. It's a shame.... cause it's a great place to travel.Just my two cents...Lisa and Ghost Rider (2005 RB)Quote Just FYI, I have friends who have done the Carrera Panamericana Vintage race from Tuxla to Laredo over several years. These drivers are escorted from the USA border
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