Goodbye Paradise

[CarolnJim]

In 1973, we headed to the tip of Baja from Southern California with 3 other 4WD vehicles. We were driving a 4-wheel drive International Scout . We had our two children 3 and 5 with us. The others also had their children. (We would never do this again now).

We had the best trip ever... Beautiful beaches, warm water, wonderful scenery, and friendly people in the small towns. We hauled all our own food and water for a 3 week trip. Had tents with us. We sometimes had to clear the roads from cactus, and there were days we could travel all day over the rough roads and could only travel about 10 mph.

We only ran into one problem and it turned out to be simple - but a little scary. Our 4 vehicles were driving along a dirt road, almost dark... All of sudden there were Mexican police in the road - flashlights aimed at us and we didn't know what to think. One of them came to our vehilce and said they were selling tickets to the Policeman's Ball. We had no intentions of going to a Policeman's ball, however buying those tickets was not a problem. They thanked us and we went on our way. The rest of the trip was fantastic.

We haven't taken our vehicle back to Mexico, not because of that situation, but just because we've taken other trips. Now, I don't believe we would ever take a trip like that again.

We have, however, taken cruises into Mexico many times and we never go off the beaten track. Stay within a safe area, or take tours.

It's a shame that things have taken a bad turn, because Mexico has the most wonderful areas... and we have always found the people to be friendly and helpful.

[Donna D.]

I work for an international company, we received this message from the State Department just last week; it seemed prudent to share with members of this forum:

To: All Employees -

For your information, the following travel advisory alert has been issued by the US State Department regarding Mexico border crossings.

Con-way Internal Communications

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Travel Alert - Mexico

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs



April 23, 2008

Continuing Violence Along The U.S.-Mexico Border
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Violent criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, criminal justice officials, and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region. In its effort to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens are urged to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

Recent Mexican army and police force conflicts with heavily-armed narcotics cartels have escalated to levels equivalent to military small-unit combat and have included use of machine guns and fragmentation grenades. Confrontations have taken place in numerous towns and cities in northern Mexico, including Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California, and Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua. The situation in northern Mexico remains very fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements there cannot be predicted.

Armed robberies and carjacking, apparently unconnected to the narcotics-related violence, have increased in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. Dozens of U.S. citizens were kidnapped and/or murdered in Tijuana in 2007. Public shootouts have occurred during daylight hours near shopping areas.

Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles.

U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance.

For more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico, please see the Mexico Country Specific Information at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...s/cis_970.html. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/.

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ccs@usembassy.net.mx. The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.