Posted on 09/28/2014 6:05:57 PM PDT by Freedom56v2
Hire a professional service for transportation.
That’s what I do for Chile, Bolivia and other parts in South America where I don’t feel like driving or don’t need a car.
What do you what does she do at the airport in USA?
She’s in America. She can do whatever she wants.
I speak Spanish but, I find it fun.
She can use an app called “World Lens” for reading signs or anything on paper.
Pretty kewel app.
Thanks. Excellent. I will suggest this to her...I thought ther might be an app to speak Spanish. :).
For the most part the Mexicans I’ve met have been friendly in the small towns. Mexico city is like any other big city and the people are not too firdly as they hurry themselves along. The tourist towns it is hard to trust the younger men. The women are trustworthy but you should speak Spanish. I would be VERY careful in Mexico City. Safety is not something to take lightly there. You will be OK in the city square, the federal district, and a couple blocks away. Once you’re more than a few hundred yards out you’ll see a dramatic drop in people, more graffiti, and walled houses everywhere.
I no longer go to Mexico. I use to go there monthly when I lived in Texas but am protesting because of their immigration violations and the robbed a friend of mine last time he was there. Unless she has a trusted local guide and real business I would not go there.
BUT, if she must go. Don’t give anything to the children selling items on the street or give them money. They are run by thug street gangs when they should be in school. If she is going to buy things on the street the asking price is never the paying price. It’s very fun haggling with the street vendors. I never had a problem with the water in the cities but maybe I just have an iron gut. But bottled water is cheap and worth the price. One of my favorite things at the restaurant or bars is a big beer in a styrafoam cup with a plate of limes and chili-salt powder.
Good luck.
Dont let her go...geeeeeeeeeeeeez
We have friends who are Mexican descent and will not allow their children to go and visit grandparents in Mexico. That should tell you everything you need to know.
Stay in a Zona Rosa (pink zone) hotel. This is the tourist area and well patrolled by Mexican police. Don't be surprised if cops are carrying shotguns at nearly every corner.
Last time we were there, a young Mexican Army private (I think he was a private) was standing guard in front of one of the local banks. He was carrying a Thompson machine gun...
I should also mention gifts.
If your daughter brings a gift to the event, make sure she has a copy of the receipt (what the total price was) on the gift.
One of the favorite shakedowns by Mexican cops is to demand payment of a gift tax (anything over $100, I think) on items brought into Mexico.
There are apps that convert spanish to english and vice versa.
I speak Spanish so, I haven’t a use for them.
a friend showed me world lens a few weeks ago.
We used to go to Mexico a few times a year but we had a couple of scary encounters and we decided that it wasn’t worth it. We have Mexican friends who don’t go back there. Their family comes here to visit.
I have a very good friend and while her husband was in a business meeting in a top rated hotel dining room in Mexico City, his driver was kidnapped and the car was stolen. The driver escaped but the car was gone for good. This just happened about 2 months ago.
To die of natural causes in Mexico is a nightmare for the family. My husbands uncle had a heart attack in Cozumel and the family had to pay off every person in Cozumel city government to get his body home for burial. They tossed his body in to the fish cooler for weeks until we paid.
Sorry to give you all this bad news. It is a real shame because Mexico could be a fantastic vacation destination again, like it used to be.
Thank you for the information!
The bride’s family has arranged transportation. Frankly, after I FB’d bride about some of my concerns and she called several times. texted numerous times, and sent out group emails regarding travel details, I am feeling a lot better about the trip...
Tho there is not an armed guard in the limo, I think she should be OK once she gets to hotel and meets up with the group.
Thank you for the information. Eh, she wants to/”must” go...it is a wedding...bride is from Mexico City, family lives there, so of course wedding is in Mexico city and it will be quite an extravaganza. I am must concerned about daughter’s safety...Eh, we live near Chicago, so safety is always a concern.
You’re welcome.
No doubt your daughter will do just fine.
BTW; No shorts, except at the beach.
You don’t need an armed guard.
You need a trustworthy driver.
She’ll be fine.
The important thing about international travel is to think about neighborhood you would not enter in USA.
They are they same worldwide.
Me?
I like backroads and alley restaurants but, that’s my thing and I’m comfortable with myself.
Your daughter will be fine.
This business about how crime ladden Mexico is has some merit but, so does every country south of Texas/California border...
Common sense rules and can keep you safe.
I will say I once spent $90 bucks to get to a certain place in south america when the military demanded money.
My driver freaked, I passed them their dumb money and when the driver pulled over to catch his breath, after we left sight of the military, I hugged him and started laughing.
Told him it was worth the money and lighten up.
He gave me a discount fare 10 days later when I called him.
Still think it was funny
Wasn’t Mexico. ..
Thanks for your thots, Vendome.
When my family used to drive thru Mexico when I was a teen, my dad would jiggle a pocket full of pesos and tip liberally. I remember at the border, he gave the guards bottles of liquor and tipped liberally and we were basically waived thru, whereas other families had their station wagons pulled apart—seriously, seats removed, etc...So I do know the value of tipping. I hope the limo driver is dependable...As the bride’s family lives there, I would think they vetted the company—hired to transport all the out-of-town guest to and from various venues and events during the week. She will be others in the limo/shuttle when being transported to various events.
I FB’d the bride about some of my concerns and she followed up with several phone calls, texts and emails regarding details, so I am feeling somewhat better.
My daughter did add your phone app, Word Lens, and he found a verbal translator as well. Thanks, again, for all your useful information.
If there is anything you think I have not covered, please let me know :)
Update.
To all of you who had helpful and/or caring thots and suggestions—both public and private, I cannot thank you enough. To those of you who didn’t...well no comment and you may be missing out on some interesting trips.
Plans were finalized and details nailed out, so trip went smoothly...no delays, no hassles, etc. Really, no problems at all
Daughter had a wonderful time at her dear friend’s wedding in Mexico City with a week of tours, fabulous food, hiking, sightseeing, etc. with no problems in Mexico...No close calls, no scary moments. To reiterate, She was able to attend a fabulous traditional Mexican wedding and see some wonderful sites near the Capitol.
Daughter only brought back a mug and a shot glass in terms of purchases —I was surprised that she did not buy more gifts/trinkets.
She did get “interrogated” briefly by a woman border or customs agent when returning to US, which I found extremely ironic given the border situations as relates to illegal Guatemalans, Nicaraguans,etc and Liberian Nationals. Not sure why, but she was asked by the woman customs or border patrol agent why she went, where she was, how big was the wedding, where was wedding, etc. A lot of probing questions. Perhaps she is planning a wedding herself as she os Hispanic? Daughter thot perhaps it was because she had tucked her passport in pocket of travel bag—she had gone thru the initial screening....Eh she was traveling alone, so maybe that was the trigger. If anyone has thots on why daughter, 23 - innocent looking blue eyed blonde, was singled out, I would be interested in hearing them :)
Anyway, she is back, safe, sound, and well :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.