Hpymils
Mazatlan/Maryland
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Joined: 04/01/2008
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For some one as experienced to driving in Mexico to pay mordida is nonsensical. You do not have to pay a bribe to a street cop in Mexico if you have done noting wrong. Don't pay a bribe! Never say I will pay here as George did. When one RVer pays mordida it sets up the police to watch for next RVer as a victim. I've never paid mordida, although I have been stopped four times. The first time I just waited out the cop till he gave up. The next three times I had a 3X5 card written in Spanish about Sindicatura. Once the cops read that I was free to go.
Here is what happened to George:
Tioga and I were driving in the Center of Tampico when some police stopped us saying that I was not wearing my seatbelt. I showed them my lap seat belt, and they told me that I had to have a belt for my shoulders. I replied that this vehicle is very old and in those years they only had lap seatbelts.
Then they told me that it was not legal for a vehicle this size to drive here, and asked to see my drivers license. After I gave them the license, they asked if I would want to pay here or there? I told them, here. And one of them told me, 300 American dollars.
As soon as they told me "pay here or there" I figured these cops to be crooked. I determined that this was one of those negotiating kind of police stops. So, I told the cop, I might be able to pay 50 pesos. The cop answered, you will get your license back when you pay. I told him, "If you want my license, that's OK. Can I go now?"
By this time, about 20 minutes had passed and MsTioga was blocking one of two lanes in a very busy downtown street. Every once in awhile, they would ask me for less and less money. When they came down to 200 American dollars, I told them that this price for a ticket was ridiculous. I would pay maybe 100 pesos. Finally a woman cop came by and talked to the other cops. She said to me, "OK, 200 Mexican". I paid her 200 pesos, she gave me my license back, and I drove away.
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path1
seattle
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Joined: 04/19/2012
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Please--Tell George that for last couple of days his site comes up and looks alright but within 5 seconds I get a warning pop up box that says trying to re-establish connection. All other sites I have no problem.
(To cheap to buy new)
1990 37 ft 5th wheel that hasn't moved since 1996 (our best home)
1997 33 ft trailer (winter home in much warmer climate)
2005 25 ft M/H (our "stand up B" for traveling)
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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Why anyone would want to even put themselves in that position rv'ing is still beyond me.
And yet when forum members question the safety of traveling there so many say it's ok and everyone else is over reacting.
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us".
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danojeno
Corona, CA
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Joined: 07/17/2011
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rockhillmanor wrote:Why anyone would want to even put themselves in that position rv'ing is still beyond me.
And yet when forum members question the safety of traveling there so many say it's ok and everyone else is over reacting.
I have no idea what this post has to do with safety. I also have no idea why George went along with this. Go to the station and pay the three bucks.
2006 Chevy 2500HD 8.1 4x4 CCSB
2012 Eclipse Stellar 28SBG, Spring Over Axle
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briansue
on the road
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Joined: 10/11/2005
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I have been RVing of one sort or another all over Mexico since 1971 and have never ever had a cop ask me for money in any way shape or form. I know people report this all the time but I have no idea why people seem to have these problems. I never have. We encounter police all the time and they help us and are very professional. I am not saying these things do not happen but I don't get why it has never happened to me??
http://www.briansue2.blogspot.com
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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danojeno wrote:rockhillmanor wrote:Why anyone would want to even put themselves in that position rv'ing is still beyond me.
And yet when forum members question the safety of traveling there so many say it's ok and everyone else is over reacting.
I have no idea what this post has to do with safety. I also have no idea why George went along with this. Go to the station and pay the three bucks.
Do you think getting stopped by undesirables who 'take' your license and don't give it back until you pay them something a safe situation?
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Snow River TC
BC Canada summer / Jalisco, Mexico winter
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Joined: 04/28/2010
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Sometimes you have to. I do not like paying it, but often going to the station is not an option if you do not know the town. Low trees, arches, etc.
I do carry high quality reproductions of my license I can hand them. If they question its authenticity, I never hesitate to give them the real one.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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I guess this is why I stopped visiting Mexico since that time I was stopped in 1989.
Safety? Really, you are stopped by a cop who probably has a GUN and you think it has nothing to do with safety? What if it is not a real cop?
Mexico - Cheap camping sites, very pretty area, but no thanks,
Fred.
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4x4times2
you mean right now?
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Joined: 07/16/2011
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Just like most large cities there is a by pass around Tampico and RVs, trucks and trailers are banned from entering Tampico nearly 18 hours a day. Read the signs, it is posted.
He was asking for trouble and found it. If there is a by pass around the town be assured you are required to take it and not drive in the centro. Sure they were shaking him down and sure he should have gone to the station to pay the fine but the fact is he should have never been there to begin with.
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dons2346
Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of So. CA
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Joined: 11/21/2001
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Snow River TC wrote:........I do carry high quality reproductions of my license I can hand them............
I made a colored copy, front and back, then laminated it in plastic. Looks almost real. I put that in a wallet with some "official" looking credit cards and maybe 50 pesos and have that ready to pull out. Never been stopped, guess I've been lucky.
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