Is Mexico Safe?

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by Craneguy

You need to be more concerned with the white Tsuru saloons. They cruise the streets checking out innocent civilians at the side of the roads, often slowing right down to get a good look at their potential victim.

Don't do that. You will scare the noobs.

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by MikeMike

Agree.
And again, I think the guy who is posting about this is reporting what is new to him, but pretty much common place for anyone here.
People here have gotten so used to the military doing the policing, it is odd to see a regular cop.

A lot of Norte Americanos freak out when they see the military with big guns. When I was in Laredo a few weeks ago I noticed that while the military was rousting some guy on the street and checking his paperwork that all the old men and women just kept walking down the sidewalk, pretty much oblivious to the troops. I walked by, smiled, and said "Howdy!" in Engrish and the guys just smiled at me and nodded.

Oh, and a couple of weeks ago there wasn't a Transito or Metropolitan cop to be seen. The "state police" were in force with new white trucks - probably the old trucks repainted but you know what I mean. Someone got reorganized once again.

As many times as they have had to hire new cops it might be a good time for an old, overweight gringo who cannot speak much in the way of Spanish to apply for a job; the pool of talent must be pretty shallow lately.

Originally Posted by MikeMike

As for little Sr. Pena Miento, he's made his deal with the cartels, so they'll stop the extortion and kidnapping and kick back mucho to the chosen ones. And that is that. Back to business as usual to the epoc before the PAN finally won the presidency.

Yup. it's not the 'merican way, at least officially, but I predict a return to what used to pass as normal, at least in Tamaulipas. The public is sick and tired of the Zetas and everyone knows that if the military, the Gulf Cartel, and the local vigilantes start reading from the same script that it's going to be a bad time to be a Zeta.

[FlowBee]

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.
[....] 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.

[...] 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?
View Larger Map

MX24 west of Parral last week? Could it have been related to this?

http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2012/1...ttles-for.html

[MikeMike]

You know what is really strange? Is how quickly you become accustomed to stories like the one above.
A few years back I would have read it, nowadays it doesn't rate a second glance. Unless the numbers are a couple dozen or more, it just isn't news to anyone.
Sad, but true. Bet a few other people feel the same, right Steve?

[tricepilot]

FlowBee - 84 five star reviews on Amazon.com.

I always wondered if those worked well

[FlowBee]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

FlowBee - 84 five star reviews on Amazon.com.

I always wondered if those worked well

Hehehh...dunno. If you saw my helmet hair you'd think Helen Keller styles my hair. The name isn't spam - I have nothing to do with them. It's an inside joke among some friends from a long time ago.

ObMexico: To be quite honest, I actually wussed out of a trip to MX a few weeks ago because I scared the crap out of myself reading borderlandbeat waiting for parts for my bike in a Tucson hotel room. Rode all the way out and then wet myself at the border and ran home. I'm back in Ohio trying to get my courage up and waiting for another warm-ish break in the weather to make a run for the border again.

This thread really helps me temper the BB fear mongering with some reality. I really shouldn't read it so damn much - makes the place sound like Somalia.

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by FlowBee

This thread really helps me temper the BB fear mongering with some reality. I really shouldn't read it so damn much - makes the place sound like Somalia.

Google "shooting spree". No details, just the two words. Try it.

The results will have you wanting to flee the U.S. for Mexico

[MikeMike]

Don't read that stuff, you'll be able to actually enjoy Mexico.

Meanwhile, the lady that keeps you safe here, aka the Virgin, is celebrating her day!

[mundobravo]

Originally Posted by dcstrom

Shizzman,

This is a pretty representative sample of what the road is like currently, top to bottom

Thanks for posting this , I'm leaving the 2ed day of the new year !

[MikeMike]

I was waiting for the horn blast, LOL! Good one!

[BobLoblaw]

Originally Posted by MikeMike

I was waiting for the horn blast, LOL! Good one!

I thought he was blowing his nose

[mark883]

Originally Posted by FlowBee

Hehehh...dunno. If you saw my helmet hair you'd think Helen Keller styles my hair. The name isn't spam - I have nothing to do with them. It's an inside joke among some friends from a long time ago.

ObMexico: To be quite honest, I actually wussed out of a trip to MX a few weeks ago because I scared the crap out of myself reading borderlandbeat waiting for parts for my bike in a Tucson hotel room. Rode all the way out and then wet myself at the border and ran home. I'm back in Ohio trying to get my courage up and waiting for another warm-ish break in the weather to make a run for the border again.

This thread really helps me temper the BB fear mongering with some reality. I really shouldn't read it so damn much - makes the place sound like Somalia.

Feh! I'm from Ohio and I rode to Mexico. You can too.

[going south]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

Google "shooting spree". No details, just the two words. Try it.

The results will have you wanting to flee the U.S. for Mexico

I agree with this....

[rockymountainoyster]

Gallup, NM well... Well, West Gallup... the place has really sprawled. I delayed my trip enough that it was snowy at home and hazardous in a 4x4, it was 19 degees F. in Mancos this AM when I started getting the bike ready. It is 28 in Gallup and 72 in Palenque with a high tomorrow of 90. 34 in Columbus, NM with a high of 64 manana. Can deal with that. Rain Friday with a high of 55 for the border crossing. Can deal with that too. When I get it all sorted out I will start a RR and will post that link here. Thanks for listening.

[SchizzMan]

Looking forward to it, RMO.