Date:         Mon, 29 Dec 2003 12:43:19 -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

Oh Yea, police and bribes. Unless you are really breaking a law (like hurting someone) I don't think most police will hold you for long. Always carry a photocopy of your passport in case it is lost or stolen. 

Another story, A boss of mine in Nicaragua went to another of their properties in Guatemala and then returned. The border guard thought he could get some money out of him. Held him at the border in a office for over 6 hours. Some lame reason was given. When he finally realized that he wasn't gonna get any money from him he let him go on his way. So, don't be too intimidated in this type of situation and maybe carry little cash on you, but have a sizeable stash hidden well in the van.

However, money can get you out of almost any type of trouble down there. Exchange rate is about 10 to 1 so, 100 dollars to them is ten dollars US. Try to exchange half of your currency and keep the other half in US dollars. Easier to barter with US dollars (prized by most compared to the peso). But better to use pesos so not to look like a pushover. Carry US in one pocket and pesos in the other. Use judgement on which to pull out and in front of whom.

Sean

> -----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
>