Date:         Mon, 29 Dec 2003 12:29:32 -0700
Reply-To:     Sean Garrett <SEAN.GARRETT@ASU.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Sean Garrett <SEAN.GARRETT@ASU.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Looking for advice re. Mexico
Comments: To: Cotsford@AOL.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I worked in Nicaragua for a yr. Rules for Latin American countries (Mexico etc...):
1. don't travel at night if at all possible.
2. Be prepared for breakdown.
3. try to stay at RV parks or similar (commercial spots where you pay).
4. Look for places that have "security guards". Even though it is debatable, it is better to have them than not.

Banditos can strike anytime anywhere in those countries (as well as ours). My boss was on a train ride in Mexico's Copper Canyon. Banditos stopped the train (somehow ?, I didn't have this explained to me) then boarded it and shot 3 (killed) people (tourist) while robbing all folks on the train. One of the 3 was a tourist taking pictures with his camcorder right in front of my boss. I suppose this is why he was shot.

Most folks south of the border are VERY friendly and willing to put you up on their property. Wonderful folks in Mexico. Just use the same caution you would in the US except for traveling at night. Don't!!!

Sean Garrett
81 Westy (his)
95 EVC (hers)
87 Syncro (Subie project)
82 Parts Vanagon (need a part ?)
Central Arizona




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Steve Cotsford
> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 12:07 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Looking for advice re. Mexico
> 
> 
> I am contemplating a visit to my daughter who works in a 
> missionary school in
> northern Honduras.    I am considering driving from SC to 
> Brownsville Texas
> then crossing through Mexico, either east to Belize then 
> south or through
> Guatemala then  north to Honduras.
> I have received all kinds of warnings about bandits and 
> police who stop you
> just to get some money from you.    I dont speak spanish 
> though I am fluent in
> french and italian and have travelled extensively, mostly in 
> Europe and a
> little in Asia.
> Any one on the list that has travelled that part of Mexico ?  
>  I would be
> passing east of Mexico city and driving all the hours of 
> daylight.  I would love
> to get some info and help from somebody who has done 
> something comparable.
> Am I crazy to think about if ?  Crazier to think about going 
> in my 91 Carat ?
> 
> Thanks,
> Steve Cotsford
>