"John Kulp" wrote in message
news:46e81657.84373312@news20.forteinc.com...
> On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:59:09 GMT, "David Eduardo"
> wrote:
>
>
>>>>I have a hard time believing someone who says they lived in Mexico for
>>>>two
>>>>whole years and spells Colombia with a "u" in it.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Yeah, gee, that's a good test alright. Never made a spelling mistake
>>> huh? More likely, you have no refutation for what I said so you
>>> resort to inanities like this.
>>
>>I must have hit a button there. LOL.
>
> No, just demonstrating pettiness. I always love poster that
> contribute nothing to a post so they jump on crap like that as if that
> somehow makes them smart.
>
>>
>>I already "refuted" by saying there is car theft everywhere. Somehow, you
>>got into ATU stick-ups, which are so common in many US metros that they
>>don't even make the evening news unless someone is shot.
>
> Refutes nothing. Tourists have been particularly targeted in Mexico,
> held for days to drain their bank accounts at ATMs, etc. etc. Where
> in the US does that happen?
>
>>
>>A city of 20 million would be unusual if it did not have a lot of crime.
>>The
>>problem for tourists is in knowing where crime is prevalent and what kind
>>of
>>precaution to take.
>
> Which in Mexico City is basically anywhere tourists go. So you can't
> avoid it, unless you just stay in your hotel or don't go in the first
> place. Most other cities, you can do as you say, but not there.
This is turning into a pile of old baloney now. Mexico City is a gorgeous
place to visit. There are ancient tales of various crimes even on our State
Dept's website, which doesn't appear to have been updated ever. They
actually recommend cab stands, and if you insist on being ripped off have
those shysters put you in a car.
We were in the city for the giant political rally two years ago, where the
President jailed the mayor of the city for running against him. The crowd
was estimated to be over a million people, and we found ourselves right in
the middle of it on a walk to Zocalo. We were 'assaulted' again and again
by people handing us little flags to wave, inviting us up on platforms where
we could see better, explaining the situation, and sharing the celebratory
goodies they'd brought with them. I'll tell you, the criminality was
horrible that day.
There are several ways to get around the city. Cheapest and fastest is the
subway if it's going where you want, followed by equally cheap but slower
buses, which go everywhere, and also cheap mini-buses around downtown. The
minis take you where you're going, but you have to read the windshield fast
to find the right one.
After that, it's taxis, and there are three basic types. 'Hotel' or
'Airport' cabs - sedans with few or no markings, and a fixed rate (not
cheap) to where you're going. Then there are the metro cabs, which are the
same as everywhere in the world. They have signs on the doors, a lighted
sign on the roof, and meters, and are painted either red or orange and
white.
The cabs that stir up controversy, warnings and irony are the
green-and-white VW cabs. These are Beetle cars, two doors. If you go to
one of the cab stands recommended by our State Dept, they will put you in
one of these cars 100% of the time, yet the same State Dept warns, on the
same web page, about rampant crime in the VW cabs.
If you look at the stories, and the exact same ones are in my 1971
Frommer's, they say that you will surely die if you enter such a cab,
because an accomplice with a gun will get in with you. My question is how?
It's a two-door car. I look in cabs before I get in anyhow, but for things
like springs sprouting up thru the seats, or stains that look wet. Is this
accomplice supposed to somehow be hidden in the car? The stain?
Mexico City is huge, and there is crime for sure. Tourists are rare
targets, and gringo tourists are rarer targets. We visit often, and I
worked there in the 80's, and have yet to feel threatened. It's one of the
world's great cities.
In the US border areas crime is more intense, but not often targeted toward
tourists. If you're American and find yourself in trouble with gangs, the
most likely reason is that you are involved in their trade -- deeply
involved -- and your heritage is Mexican. If you're a tourist you will be
overcharged and may have your pocket picked if you keep things there.
That's the usual. Go if you want to, and have fun in Mexico. Millions do.
Keith
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