Is Mexico Safe?

[acejones]

Originally Posted by dcstrom

Don't know what they were, they were in camo gear so I assumed military... what would a narco wear?

Stolen narco gear

[Bato]

Originally Posted by Habibi Rocks

Appears that the 43 year old Lear Jet and the 78 year old Pilot (RIP) suddenly decided to retire earlier

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by SR

It is all volcanic rock, rhyolitic tuff, "ignimbrite". Each one of those layers in the photo represents an individual eruption phase. I wouldn't want to be within a 200 Km radius of this area when that upper >30m thick tuff came blasting out of a huge volcanic caldera. That would have been about 20 million years ago.

In other words, "rock porn".

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by dcstrom

So I was headed toward Durango from Guanchochi today, had decided to take 24 south, just before Parral, for two reasons - it looked shorter but also twistier than the other option, Mex 45 from Parral.

There's a Pemex and an OXXO at that intersection. In front of the OXXO there's an old guy selling knick-knacks. I pull up for some lunch and we start talking, he's asking me where I'm going. I tell him Durango, he says which way? I point across the road to 24 south and he starts getting fairly animated "Solo, no, solo, no" and wagging his finger at me. He says going the Parral route is better.

While I'm having lunch I'm wondering if an old boy sitting on the pavement qualifies as "local knowledge" in this case, and should I take his advice? I'm thinking about asking the Pemex guys what they think, but I'm leaning toward just going via Parral since I'm not particularly wedded to taking 24. The next minute a truck with a manned machine gun mounted in the bed takes off down 24 - I guess that seals it eh? I took the old guys advice and went via Parral.

I'm not paranoid, just cautious and feeling my way... trying to figure out what "signs" to take notice of and what to ignore...

Here's the road not taken... anyone know if there was any truth to what the old guy was saying?

No way to know. You may have missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime to see some action like Kevin saw outside Tepic last year (like Apocalypse Now but without the Napalm). Or you may have extended your life considerably. Who knows?

I probably would have done as you did and heeded the old man's warning. But I'd have been sorely tempted to fall in behind that Army truck.

[MikeMike]

I would have gotten a coffee from the Oxxo, told the old guy the "Zaragoza" joke, and then ridden to where I had planned to go. It is normal to see heavily armed convoys and trucks, loosen up a little, it is not a big deal and you will get used to that and more.

[mark883]

Originally Posted by SR

It is all volcanic rock, rhyolitic tuff, "ignimbrite". Each one of those layers in the photo represents an individual eruption phase. I wouldn't want to be within a 200 Km radius of this area when that upper >30m thick tuff came blasting out of a huge volcanic caldera. That would have been about 20 million years ago.

Thanks SR-

Cool! Calderas!

BTW, I know some people that could be described with the word "ignimbrite"

(nobody here tho.)

[SR]

Originally Posted by dcstrom

Don't know what they were, they were in camo gear so I assumed military... what would a narco wear?

They were almost certainly military. It would be extremely brazen for a group of criminals dressed in military outfits in military vehicles to be out in broad daylight, that should give it away right there. I haven't heard of narcos dressed like military in a couple of years.

Narcos are really toning down their look lately, but generally country narcos dress like country boys but more flashy, with silk shirts and gold jewelry. Identification mostly has to do with age. It is one thing to see 60 year old Don Ranch Owner come to town in an Escalade wearing a 18K gold watch. It is something else to see four 20 year olds doing it. City narcos are harder to classify, the just look like common dirt-bags to me.

Private security guards usually have a clean cut look and dress like Johnny Cash. They almost always drive late model white vehicles, Tahoes or Dodge trucks. These vehicles are commonly made bullet proof. You likely wont see a convoy of these vehicles out in the country, just in the city. These are things you will pick up on with some time in Mexico.

Originally Posted by MikeMike

I would have gotten a coffee from the Oxxo, told the old guy the "Zaragoza" joke, and then ridden to where I had planned to go. It is normal to see heavily armed convoys and trucks, loosen up a little, it is not a big deal and you will get used to that and more.

With due respect, I would have done the exact opposite. I would absolutely not have drank the OXXO coffee. I don't like OXXO coffee and would prefer to drink Nescafe! I don't think it's even coffee, just some concoction of roasted garbanzo beans and chicory root? It's awful, even when freshly brewed. You're from Veracruz Mike. OXXO coffee? You're better than that!

[SR]

Originally Posted by mark883

BTW, I know some people that could be described with the word "ignimbrite"

(nobody here tho.)

Nice work, that might be a geology joke I haven't heard before.

When are you coming down, it must be getting cold up there? I understand it's a BMW, but it must be fixed and in ride-able condition at least for certain periods of time?

[MikeMike]

Yeah SR, but if I was at that Oxxo I wouldn't be in Veracruz! My choice would likely have been the Oxxo or an Italian Coffee Company and rather than risk a slow agonizing end, I would opt for something rapid and psychedelic!
If there was something floating in the coffee, I would have paid out the hind end for a Red Bull.

Now, if the option was from the olla at the lena, well, it would be no contest!

Interesting that the wind tunnel testing for the bridge over there was done in Canada.
How did you like that Lujo de los Narcos documental on Nat Geo? Have you seen that one?

[MikeMike]

SR, wait 'till you hear the "Zaragoza" joke, it's a Sarita and Pepito story.
Arte and the Tamaulipas boys gave it a thumbs up in La Esperanza, good bunch of guys, and you would have loved that rally. Plan on getting dirty next year, and hopefully there will be a road section thing for the old guys.
I wonder if Andres is coming back down during the holidays?

[SR]

Originally Posted by MikeMike

How did you like that Lujo de los Narcos documental on Nat Geo? Have you seen that one?

I didn't see it but I was just checking it out on Youtube. An three story air conditioned mausoleum. How about that! I think those guys should focus more on not getting killed.

Originally Posted by MikeMike

SR, wait 'till you hear the "Zaragoza" joke, it's a Sarita and Pepito story.
Arte and the Tamaulipas boys gave it a thumbs up in La Esperanza, good bunch of guys, and you would have loved that rally. Plan on getting dirty next year, and hopefully there will be a road section thing for the old guys.
I wonder if Andres is coming back down during the holidays?

I'd like to hear that joke. Maybe I can make it next year and you can tell it to me.

[MikeMike]

It has to do with "La Patria", you'll like it. If you don't laugh, I'll by you lunch. Hecho.

That 3 story set up with A/C and bulletproof glass was really interesting. Culiacan has to be one of the most over the top cities in Mexico. Skin tight hip shakers moving to corridas, more tomatoes than you can ever eat, etc...

[mark883]

Originally Posted by SR

Nice work, that might be a geology joke I haven't heard before.

When are you coming down, it must be getting cold up there? I understand it's a BMW, but it must be fixed and in ride-able condition at least for certain periods of time?

The three evil factors influencing a Mexico ride: time*money=work

Fortunately (I think) I don't have wife or girlfriend added to that equation.

In other news of stupidity, I bought an ATV that also happens to fit in the Sprinter, so maybe that ATV ride would be feasible (except for needing a diesel fuel sponsorship). That ATV was a real Ingnimbrite move on my part. I bet too, that the border patrol LOVES big white unmarked Sprinter Vans.

And yes, the BMW is just fine, thank you.

[tricepilot]

What is this word 'work' you are using?

[kobukan]

I've been reading the info on phones and it's something I've been trying to figure out myself.

I have a Verizon smartphone, which seems pretty useless most places I've been or expect to go in Mexico, or even AZ and many areas of the southwest for that matter. I expect there isn't any cell service in many/most areas so cell phone doesn't really seem like the answer. Some sort of cell phone might be convenient for those rare occasions I'm somewhere there's service, but what about everywhere else? I've been seriously considering a satellite phone - I've done my homework and know the cost of rental, purchase, service plans, best type to get, etc. Anybody use them?

Please don't tell me I should just enjoy the remoteness of the area and not worry about it. I get it. I'm fortunate enough to be able to take off for weeks at a time fairly often and I rarely get any calls from anyone, but I have a wife, two daughters in college, a business, and I travel alone. I'd like to be able to stay in touch or get/make an emergency call should something happen. I ride with a SPOT with tracking, send the ok message every night, have insurance/medivac, etc.

What do you think?