Is Mexico Safe?

[acejones]

Originally Posted by Turkeycreek

Learning in Europe also came to halt for a few centuries during the Dark Ages. Coincided with the rise of the church just as the middle eastern dark ages coincided with the rise of religion there. Europe had an enlightenment when learning was revered again. It seems the USA is going away from that to some degree. It comes and goes, it ebbs and flows.

Good point. In the case of the rise of the Church in Europe and the rise of Islaam the Middle East and North Africa the religious leaders realized that knowledge was power. They of course, preferred to keep that power to themselves. Not much changes.

Now, let's return to Mexico.

[theshnizzle]

I have googled and I am not getting much back.......excerpt for the whole 2 bodies hanging from the bridge thing........I did see a graph that showed the quietest times to cross, is there anything to see on the other side of the border?

I thought it would be fun to just zip across for a couple hours and then come back.

Anything in particular I should be aware of? I am not going back a million pages to look for my particular question and the search button doesn't work....at least on my ipad.

I don't want to totally buy into the whole it's to dangerous thing, but I just want to know what to expect and risk level involved.

Thanks

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by theshnizzle

I have googled and I am not getting much back.......excerpt for the whole 2 bodies hanging from the bridge thing........I did see a graph that showed the quietest times to cross, is there anything to see on the other side of the border?

I thought it would be fun to just zip across for a couple hours and then come back.

Anything in particular I should be aware of? I am not going back a million pages to look for my particular question and the search button doesn't work....at least on my ipad.

I don't want to totally buy into the whole it's to dangerous thing, but I just want to know what to expect and risk level involved.

Thanks

Where are you wanting to cross at?


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[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by PirateJohn

Where are you wanting to cross at?

What part of his post title did you miss?:

"What do I need to know crossing at Laredo?"

[slowoldguy]

Thread title doesn't show on Tapatalk . ;)

[tricepilot]

Originally Posted by slowoldguy

Thread title doesn't show on Tapatalk . ;)

Upgrade to TapaTitleTooTalk

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

What part of his post title did you miss?:

"What do I need to know crossing at Laredo?"

Doesn't show using Tapatalk and an iPad.

Laredo ... Nuevo Laredo actually ...

Cross at Bridge #1. That's in the old part of downtown Laredo, TX. The Mexican tourist district starts as soon as you get off the bridge. Go straight ahead.

To your right and in the first block or two there will be a bar that is open air. A bucket of 6 Indios will vary from about $9 to $12 depending on the mood and the greed of the bartender. But I like to hang at that place. Lately they installed a karaoke machine and the singing is so bad that it's funny.

You will be approached by people wanting to help you and asking if you need a girl, need anything from the farmacia, whatever. If you really do need something they are a good resource. I sometimes have a shopping list of my meds and they know where the best prices are. They will also get food for a few $$ although the last few times that I was there a taco wagon was across the street.

Oh, and if you are in the bar most of the ladies that are there are pros. Just so that you know. N. Laredo seems to have more tolerance for that sort of thing than any Mexican town that I have ever been in.

Barbershop is around the corner - look for the barber pole.

Many people remember the Cadillac Bar. Anthony Bourdain showed it in an episode a few years ago. It was on a side street and has gone out of business, so don't waste your time looking for it.

The bar is catty corner from a town square. Maybe 5-6 blocks further south there is a second open town square. Across the street is a small hotel, Maison del Rey as I recall (anyone want to correct my spelling?). Nice place, clean rooms, $39/night. They have a secure parking lot but it's on a side street that is one way so you have to ride a few blocks and loop over to get there.

The state (Tamaliupas) has an active tourist bureau and they promote a park or two in Nuevo Laredo. If you have the time I am sure that a quick Google will turn up all sorts of things.

One of my havens to decompress at is the Applebee's on the southern side of town. It's nicer in my honest opinion than a US Applebee's. The previous manager was a Harley rider and was my pal but last I heard he was in Monterrey. Still, if you need US food this is a good place to be. They also have wifi.

You will see plenty of para-military presence. Everyone just pretty well ignores them. The local cops all got fired and the state brought in state police (white trucks) to supplement the Army (green trucks) and the Federales (black and white trucks). No Transitos and no Metropolitan police in Nuevo Laredo when I was there last, which was maybe 4-5 weeks ago.

Nuevo Laredo is pretty industrial but it's a fine place for a night or two of drinking and shopping. Despite the reputation for trouble the residents party late into the night.

Just stay the hell away from anyone that wants to deal dope. And in 15 years of riding through there I have never had anyone even try to sell me any dope.


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[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

Upgrade to TapaTitleTooTalk

There is a new (to me) version for the iPad. Completely different from the older version that is now the approved one for an iPhone.

Has some good features but like all these iPad apps there are some weirdities that you have to watch for.

Facebook just redid both their FB app and the one that I use to manage FB pages and that was a radical change.


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[mark883]

Sheesh!

And if it wasn't for the the dark ages, the crusades and the Brits, we wouldn't have had Monty Python's Holy Grail!

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by tricepilot

Upgrade to TapaTitleTooTalk

Why do I picture a rooster when I read that?

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by theshnizzle

I have googled and I am not getting much back.......excerpt for the whole 2 bodies hanging from the bridge thing........I did see a graph that showed the quietest times to cross, is there anything to see on the other side of the border?

I thought it would be fun to just zip across for a couple hours and then come back.

Anything in particular I should be aware of? I am not going back a million pages to look for my particular question and the search button doesn't work....at least on my ipad.

I don't want to totally buy into the whole it's to dangerous thing, but I just want to know what to expect and risk level involved.

Thanks

Nothing wrong with wanting to check out the Border scene to satisfy your curiosity. Spent a lot of time in the Laredos myself as a young man. Just keep in mind that whatever impression you come away with will be of the Border, not to be confused with mainland Mexico. And your risk profile (not to discourage you) will likely be higher than most places in the interior. So use your common sense, stay away from places like Boys Town, and have fun.

Drop in here after and give us your assessment and let us know when you want to travel beyond the Border. There's a whole country to explore down there and we're fortunate to have her as a neighbor.

[theshnizzle]

Hookers and beer??!! If I was a guy and if I drank al-cool, I'd be down for that.. But, alas, I am a solo female rider who doesn't drink. Ok, another couple questions......if I park my bike and go for a stroll,it will be there when I get back, right?

It's a Hayabusa, so not easy to lift, but not impossible,obviously. I guess,what i want to know,will bike and bags be there upon my return...And,are the lines terribly long depending on time of day,I realize.....

I think google told me its about a 7 hour ride from Beaumont Texas if I am not mistaken,yes?noMaybe?

[theshnizzle]

How would I know where boys town was and if I was close to or in it?..

[SchizzMan]

Originally Posted by theshnizzle

Hookers and beer??!! If I was a guy and if I drank al-cool, I'd be down for that.. But, alas, I am a solo female rider who doesn't drink. Ok, another couple questions......if I park my bike and go for a stroll,it will be there when I get back, right?

It's a Hayabusa, so not easy to lift, but not impossible,obviously. I guess,what i want to know,will bike and bags be there upon my return...And,are the lines terribly long depending on time of day,I realize.....

I think google told me its about a 7 hour ride from Beaumont Texas if I am not mistaken,yes?noMaybe?

Well, we get all kinds of riders coming through here.

Six hours should see you there, depending on Houston traffic.

Boy's Town is officially named the "Zona de Tolerancia" and you can Google either name for map info. It lies along the west side of Monterrey St. just north of Anahuac St. It's over 4 kilometers in from the border and you don't need to worry about stumbling into it.

A bike cover works well for securing your bike. Secure paid parking should work - just use your own judgment. Ask to store vulnerable items in their office, etc. Don't leave it if parked on the street.

Will you be passing through San Antonio or Austin anytime?

[PirateJohn]

Originally Posted by theshnizzle

Hookers and beer??!! If I was a guy and if I drank al-cool, I'd be down for that.. But, alas, I am a solo female rider who doesn't drink. Ok, another couple questions......if I park my bike and go for a stroll,it will be there when I get back, right?

Like Schizz says, a cover is a good thing.

I have never had anyone mess with my bikes; in Reynosa I was a regular and the locals were actually very protective. But with that said if you were walking around for an extended amount of time I'd consider asking the hotel with secure parking if you could park it in their lot.

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