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RE: Immigration at Sonoita Crossing Closed?
Get your FMT before leaving. I believe Vagabundos is still providing that service. You than get you Car import permit at Empalme should you want to go further south out of the free zone. I believe you can go to the Guaymas area without the car permit but no futher south.
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awfulart
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01/31/08 08:09pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Orphanage needs help
We visited this orphanage last year and delivered a load of Spanish Language school books. They have a very nice setup although the RV area was not quite ready for use so we dry camped on the campus.
Very nice people, some speak English, most accommodating and we hope to visit them again and take needed items down. They do have a library but somewhat sparse with books.
We encourage anyone that can to provide help to this organization.
Art & Alice - Valley Center CA
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awfulart
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01/09/08 03:26pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: San Diego Union Article
This mornings North County Times (San Diego) has an article reporting some of the same incidents. Crime is everywhere including the States.
However, I have a lot more confidence in Stateside law enforcement than I do with Mexican authorities. Sometimes it is hard to tell who the bad guys are!
http://www.nctimes.com/
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awfulart
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11/26/07 09:58am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Highway crime in Baja
I guess we can call the Americans who say they were carjacked liars or believe their story. I contacted the reporter and below is her response. I choose to believe the story. Skeptics, of course, can believe otherwise. My belief is not because of any anti Mexican feeling. Crime can occur anywhere but we are much more vulnerable in a foreign country particularly in an area controlled by the drug cartels.
Quote from reporter at the San Diego Union:----------------------------
> Subject: RE: 3 surfers robbed in TJ story
> From: anna.cearley@uniontrib.com
> Date: Mon, October 8, 2007 4:21 pm
> To: awfulart1@gotsky.com
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Hi, Art. All I can say is pretty much what's out there: the surfing
> victims filed a car robbery report that included information about the
> assault. They were talking with a Mexican government representative about
> filing a formal complaint about the assault but I don't believe they have
> done that yet. They are concerned about repurcussions. I think the only
> ones who can say for sure if this happened or not are the victims
> themselves. It's quite likely an armed assault by commandos took place
> because there was a similar unofficial report, asyou may be aware of, of
> some fishermen a few weeks before the surfers were targeted. There were
> some similar characterstics in both cases. Since then, there hasn't been
> any reported assault by commandos on tourists on that
> particular road. Unfortunately, I don't have the authority to come to any
> 100 percent conclusion on the issue. I can only write what I know has been
> reported by the victims. Sorry if I can't provide anything more definitive
> at this time. Let me know if you hear of any valid leads we could pursue.
> Sincerely, Anna
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awfulart
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10/09/07 06:41pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Highway crime in Baja
Pacific John, Thanks for the heads up on the links.. We are leaving for El Fuerte on the 11th of Oct. and as usual expect a safe trip with no problems, but of course careful and considerate of what we do and how we do it.
We will be visiting a long time Mexican friend in Hermosillo and then on to Sinaloa. Hasta Luego.
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awfulart
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10/07/07 12:30pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Highway crime in Baja
They may have caught the Robber/Carjackers See following links for more info:
http://www.kpbs.org/news/local;id=9580
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20070911-1159-bn11surfers.html
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20070912-9999-1mi12surfers.html
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20070912-1813-bn12attacks.html
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20070913-9999-7m13surfers.html
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awfulart
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10/07/07 10:01am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Highway crime in Baja
Not defensive at all. Just analytical. This is a too-frequent topic, and per the consensus here, it would be nice if it did not show up like a game of telephone, with inevitable lack of substantiation. Do me a favor: next time, please respond to specific quotations.
Nowhere in this thread did we see even alleged evidence there was a carjacking.
Now you want us to know about hearsay in another forum? That's a new one! ;)
Perhaps the following will help!
U.S. law enforcement officials say three North County surfers report they were robbed at gunpoint in Tijuana over Labor Day weekend. Authorities say the thieves impersonated police and made off with about $60,000 worth of equipment. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.
The California Highway Patrol's Mexico Liason, Armando Casas, says the three men crossed the border at dawn the Friday before Labor Day to spend the long weekend kite surfing in Baja. He says the men had made it about three miles from the San Ysidro crossing, on the highway that skirts the border fence and heads out to the toll road.
Casas says that's when they were pulled over by a convoy lead by a Ford Explorer with a blue police light.
Casas: Next thing you know, there's armed men coming out of every vehicle. They all had weapons and they were bilingual. They took everybody out of the vehicles. One particular gentleman they took aside and put a gun to his head. But he emptied out his pockets, threw money at them to try to get them distracted and it worked. They shoved him aside, took off with the money and their two vehicles.
Roberto Elizalde heads Baja California's stolen vehicles unit in Tijuana. He's sure his agents will find the cars because most likely, he says, the thieves will get caught using them to commit another crime.
Elizalde says armed car robberies are common in Tijuana but U.S. tourists are rarely the victims.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
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awfulart
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10/07/07 09:53am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Highway crime in Baja
The issue here that frustrates so many people is context and accuracy. There were inaccuracies in the initial post: the alleged crimes were not carjackings - there was an alleged armed robbery; there is a wide shoulder on some of the road, I've hooked up there. So, the story already wouldn't be good enough for any local US paper.
On context: like most Mexico-philes, I respect mainstream cited reporting, but hearsay and rumor really pisses me off. Why? Jingoism and racism. Mostly, you see posts on crime from people who aren't tourists. What is their point? And I'd bet my house that more than a couple of people in this 6-degrees of Kevin Bacon Baja Nomads tale are racist or jingoist.
There are a lot of negative misconceptions among Norte Americanos, even among those who aren't anti-Mexican racists. This was driven home within the past few weeks when the Teamsters made news fighting a provision of NAFTA allowing Mexican trucking companies to drive to US destinations outside the currently allowed zone. I saw and heard dozens of comments about how old, rickety, and unsafe the imaginary Mexican trucks are, but not one of these people had ever seen the trucks at the Benjamin Hill NAFTA stop, or had any idea that major Mexican trucking companies would be able to pass inspection at a US scale with trucks as new as typical US trucks. This was not racist, as I know some of these commenters, but it was, well, elitist? Uninformed? A product of US media bias? Who knows.
As to racism, the elephant in the corner. Fortunately, anti-Mexican bias is much, much less than is was only 10 years ago. Polling shows that a large majority of Americans want Mexicans in the US to be able to stay and earn citizenship (I have the links on my work computer, if anyone wants them on Tuesday). But, racism is still shockingly prevalent. At the recent FMCA rally, common banter included where we had been recently. When I mentioned PV, I was saddened to hear, "I don't want to go there, we have enough of them here," and a large number of softer statements about not wanting to be with Mexicans. You couldn't help but note the sea of Country Coaches, and Prevosts where this conversation was acceptable.
So the context here is everything. Every rumor that wouldn't make it past Snopes, or is so incredible that Snopes would see it as a waste of time, and every rumor that has factual errors too bad for the most mediocre small town newspaper, plays to an audience that is at best mostly poorly informed, or at worst, racist. Those who know Mexico, and RVing in Mexico know better, and we either dismiss the rumors, or call BS. I don't take it personally, but I understand Mexicophiles who do.
So what good are these unsubstantiated rumors? They have no value to people who frequently travel in Mexico. They do not serve to inform people who might consider travel to Mexico. They reinforce false impressions. They reinforce bigoted opinions that Mexico is fundamentally inferior.
Thus, to Tom's question about what is wrong with posting warnings: nothing, as long as they are true, and written in context.
But when was the last time you saw this sort of thread that informed anyone about whether the crime rate in Mexico was worse than here? When was the last time you saw a post that accurately, objectively, linked to a news story about crime in Mexico? (Alas, even well-meaning threads like one recently linking to Macleans struggled and stumbled to inform the reader about how safe or dangerous things are). I grant that there have been a few well-meaning threads, but I wish we didn't have to wade through a zillion threads like this in between.
Whoa, someone is really being defensive. The author of the original
post on the Nomad forum was Elgatoloco and he did indicate one of the the trucks was taken. I believe that would be a car jacking.
In any case, we should always be aware of our surroundings, don't drive at nite, remember you are in a foreign country and obey their laws And by the way, when was it that news stories are always accurate?
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awfulart
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10/06/07 09:11pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Highway crime in Baja
E K S, You are so right and put it a lot better than I could. I am not a "Mexico Basher" as we love to travel Mexico. It just that a heads up once in a while can be helpful. In addition, when a car jacking incident occurs in Mexico you are at a distinct disadvantage being in a foreign country
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awfulart
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10/06/07 04:17pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Highway crime in Baja
The Texan hit the nail on the head. However, some people need to be reminded of this. We have never had a problem in Baja or the Mainland but we drive during daylight hours. All I am trying to say is " Use a little common sense while traveling no matter where you are"
Isn't it amazing how some always jump on the supposed crimes in Mexico, but forget to say anything about the violent crimes in our own country. Let's see, New Orleans in on track to have a murder a day this year, San Diego has sections I would never drive through at 3AM, and on and on.
Folks, Mexico is no more dangerous than your own backyard, as long as you remember that there are sections of your towns and cities you won't walk or drive, just as there are in Mexico. We often do not roll our windows up or lock our truck in Mexico, depending where we are. Can you say the same for where you are :@
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awfulart
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10/06/07 07:59am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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Highway crime in Baja
The following was posted on the Baja Nomad forum. I have no way of knowing how accurate this is but just in case we all should be alert, and aware of our surroundings and probably not travel after dusk or before dawn.
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by elgatoloco
Two of the carjackings occured on the border fence road.
Sorry this reply was so belated but, no. The border fence road is heavily traveled, day and night, and constricted with no place to pull off, not to mention well lit from the US side. None of the reported******happens on that stretch of the road. Nada.
Oh really.
Where are you EXACTLY if you are half a mile from the US/Mexico border heading for the toll road driving along the border fence?
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=26592&page=1
Where are you EXACTLY if you have JUST crossed the border and are going up the steep hill along the border fence?
From Bloodydecks.com
"Well I've been traveling Baja all of my life and I've finally had to witness the worst...
At 3:00am we had just crossed the Border at Tijuana, My buddy and myself in my F350 and two other guys in their small Chevy Pu. I was the lead car. Just as we were going up the steep hill along the border fence I noticed that the other truck was getting pulled over.. So I slowed at came to a stop just up the road. Seconds later a grey Ford Explorer No plates pulled in front of my truck. Two men quickly got out of the car guns drawn coming towards me...I quickly hit the gas and was able to get out of there..It seems that they chased us for a short time but never caught us.. We eventually got far enough away where we felt safe(kinda) and my phone rang.. My wife had the other guys on the phone and they were completly robbed all the way down to their wedding rings..Luckily they had family just blocks away and were safe and on the way to the border(without Truck)..
Please be careful, my father in law works in TJ for the PGR and according to him this is not an isolated incident in this area.. But the good news is none have been reported in daylight hours so please be smart..IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU.
Be Safe "
Nada my burro.
I await your sincere apology.
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awfulart
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10/06/07 06:51am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Mexico
Thank you for the good info. Do they stamp your FMT at the same place you get you vehicle permit East of Sonoyta?
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awfulart
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10/05/07 08:54am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Best Times to Cross Through Nogales US Customs
Had to delay our trip to El Fuerte. Now leaving on the 11th of Oct from Valley Center and will cross at the Mariposa entrance in Nogales. Will stop in Hermosillo to visit a long time Mexican amigo. We have our FMT and will have it stamped by immigration at the border or at KM 21? Not sure of that as we have always sone this at KM 21 and get our vehicle import permit at Empalme We assume thats still where this is done. One never knows.
Thank you for the heads up on the Caborca route.
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awfulart
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10/04/07 09:14am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Medical insurance for Mexico travel
I was reviewing a Mexican auto polcy which supposedly included evacuation coverage. In reading the restrictions it appears that there is an exclusion for anyone over 65. If you are over 65 and have this coverage included, check the policy restrictions, conditions and exclusions. You sure don't want any surprises should the need arise.
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awfulart
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09/29/07 09:29am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: FAQ Mainland and Baja Border Paperwork
We have a new FMT from Vagabundos and wonder about the following:
Where on the mainland, either Nogales or Mexicali, does one have the FMT stamped by the Mexican authority. In the past we did the FMT at KM 21 and the Car permit at Empalme. We use the Mariposa entry point when going across at Nogales and have not crossed at Mexicali so not familiar with that area.
We tow a 28 ft trailer with our pickup.
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awfulart
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09/29/07 07:35am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: FAQ Mainland and Baja Border Paperwork
FMTs are required in Baja if you spend more than 72 hrs (?) there or go south of Ensenada. No vehicle import permit is required unless you go to the mainland past the Guaymas area. Permits are secured at Empalme but you must already have your FMT. I am sure there are exceptions but that is our understanding.
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awfulart
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09/29/07 07:24am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Best Times to Cross Through Nogales US Customs
What constitutes a Commercial vehicle when crossing? Wondering if I could use the Commercial crossing if not too busy.. I tow my trailer with a truck that has California Commercial registration and plates.
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awfulart
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09/07/07 09:23pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Best Times to Cross Through Nogales US Customs
How is the road from Lukeville throught Caborca to San Carlos. Isnt the road partially toll or?
Art
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awfulart
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09/07/07 09:16pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Luxury Fifth Wheels In Mexico
We are thinking about doing the same thing and have looked at a Luxury by Design towable park model for placement in Mexico. If you purchase a non towable park model, how would you get it to your destination since the roads may be too narrow in places.
Can't comment on your 5th wheel choice but asking the question on this forum can be helpful. You might also try the Baja Nomad forum since the Baja Highway can be challanging.
Good luck and keep us posted.
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awfulart
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09/01/07 11:37am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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