tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post1190605591790277196..comments2023-12-16T05:27:05.041-06:00Comments on mexpatriate — in the key of steve: cruisin’ the hoodSteve Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00468378507171761868noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-6350814194148831952011-06-27T20:35:04.629-05:002011-06-27T20:35:04.629-05:00Good for you ! I am now in Guadalajara , travel f...Good for you ! I am now in Guadalajara , travel from Mexico City . I am happy , enjoying MEXICO !Enlacesturisticosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-47505719494197104832011-06-23T22:33:33.371-05:002011-06-23T22:33:33.371-05:00I did. A bit too breathless in its presentation f...I did. A bit too breathless in its presentation for my taste.<br /><br />I suppose I could tell a few mayhem tales from my lawyer days in Clackamas County. Tourism on the American west coast would be expected to collapse.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-10540060523787104282011-06-23T22:14:16.248-05:002011-06-23T22:14:16.248-05:00LOL! Steve, I was mugged in Seattle, well he trie...LOL! Steve, I was mugged in Seattle, well he tried, but I held my mace like a a gun and turned on him and he ran away after stalking me for 5 blocks. FL can be hard on tourists too, but thankfully they $$$ keep coming. Having traveled safely to Mexico and Middle East many times (NY, LA, Portland and other scary places too), I'm still amazed that fear paralyzes so many people. This fixation on security is a new phenomenon, fortunately coming after the world was settled and the moon landing. Better people stay home than travel and behave badly, but I'm deeply saddened at the failure of opportunity for Mexico's youth. With people jumping over ship railings, fires, drunks, long dark hallways, rapes, murders, food poisonings, pirates, terrorists, hurricanes, power outages and nasty viruses, in comparison, Mazatlan is a quiet little village. On my cruise to Alaska, the woman next door died (natural causes unless her roommate did her in), a passenger broke her leg so we had to turn around and take her to port, then we had to outrun a storm. My friend's ship skipped a port because a person died. They were stuck on board until it was determined a suicide. It is frightening to be stuck with thousands of strangers in the middle of the ocean. Be careful in San Miguel. Did you see the documentary on the kidnapping? debranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-86433730257653430212011-06-23T21:20:43.840-05:002011-06-23T21:20:43.840-05:00If it made sense, it would not be life.
Any chanc...If it made sense, it would not be life.<br /><br />Any chance you could get over to San Miguel in July?Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-68913030165783400702011-06-23T19:49:03.059-05:002011-06-23T19:49:03.059-05:00My colleagues know that I love and go to Mexico of...My colleagues know that I love and go to Mexico often. Lately whenever the topic comes up, it's always, "Aren't you afraid of the violence?" <br /><br />I always respond, "Would a load of drive-by shootings in Detroit keep you from going to Chicago?" <br /><br />The answer is invariably, "No." In fact, Americans in general are perfectly happy to live in cities with a "bad side," and feel safe as long as they don't go there, which in many cases could be as close as a few miles. <br /><br />But these same people don't seem to be able to grasp the concept that, A) Mexico is about 40% as large as the USA, i.e., not small at all, B) that most of the violence happens in places that have absolutely no tourist interest at all (Acapulco excepted), and C) that nearly all of the victims of these crimes are either involved in the drug trade, law enforcement, or occasionally city/state government. Tourists aren't the target. <br /><br />Sure, Mazatlán is in Sinaloa which is a pretty narco-infested state, and a few things occasionally happen there. But sheesh, I've been in both Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, and they struck me as QUITE safe, with people out and about at all hours enjoying the nightlife. <br /><br />It is a sad thing for both Mexico and the USA, where as you note, plenty of people still do want to take a cruise to Mazatlán or Puerto Vallarta, both of which are quite charming. <br /><br />But (and I don't mean to trivialize the pain that Mexico is experiencing), it is definitely holding down prices for those of us who dare to cross the border. Maybe that will encourage a few more brave souls. <br /><br />Saludos,<br /><br />Kim G<br />Boston, MA<br /><i>Very soon to be in DF for a week. I can hardly wait.</i>Kim Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-38597334641055502322011-06-23T17:34:06.758-05:002011-06-23T17:34:06.758-05:00I have run into the same syndrome. I workjed with...I have run into the same syndrome. I workjed with a woman in Salem who wiould not travel to Seattle because she was afraid of the crime there. Seattle!Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-15835222240399350202011-06-23T17:23:11.381-05:002011-06-23T17:23:11.381-05:00I would say the same about Jerusalem and Los Angel...I would say the same about Jerusalem and Los Angeles nevertheless, I know people here in Oregon that are terrified to travel to Disneyland. I think that's where the, "Fear Not" thing comes in...NWexicannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-42048394155248993122011-06-23T17:09:01.546-05:002011-06-23T17:09:01.546-05:00I'm afraid of Des
Moines..I'm afraid of Des<br /> Moines..NWexicannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-60576650599528237452011-06-23T16:51:28.564-05:002011-06-23T16:51:28.564-05:00The problem is that preposterous stories carry the...The problem is that preposterous stories carry their own cedibility because of the constant drum beat of Mexico as a dangerous country is embedded in too many minds.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-63446772314802031932011-06-23T16:49:54.951-05:002011-06-23T16:49:54.951-05:00Of course, Mexico is stuck in a terrible position....Of course, Mexico is stuck in a terrible position. It bought into America's drug policy and upped the ante on the drug kingpins, who are now fighting back and have the fire power to do so. I noticed the government was crowing about decapitating La Familia. Of course, the Zetas did that some time time ago. And yet the violence goes on.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-7577948728415402942011-06-23T16:47:42.258-05:002011-06-23T16:47:42.258-05:00I admit that I like my travels to be a bit -- thri...I admit that I like my travels to be a bit -- thrilling. But Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan strike me as being about as safe as Des Moines.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-67787602504077625272011-06-23T16:44:42.521-05:002011-06-23T16:44:42.521-05:00But I am not certain the cruiser attitude is respo...But I am not certain the cruiser attitude is responsible for this. The cruise message boards are abuzz with angry potentiasl cruidsers who love visiting Mexico.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-2880026517945357362011-06-23T16:43:31.971-05:002011-06-23T16:43:31.971-05:00Most of the cruises that were cancelled had a high...Most of the cruises that were cancelled had a high capacity; the Mexican Riviera cruises were very popular. I can almost guarantee that a meeting was held at one point where the cruise line's insurance company and corporate counsel suggested cancellation for fear of future law suits. Such is the state of corporate America these days -- where litigation trumps access. (But, of course, Princess is not an American corporation.)Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-44276443344474669322011-06-23T16:40:21.598-05:002011-06-23T16:40:21.598-05:00Just lert the rest of us know how we can help. Me...Just lert the rest of us know how we can help. Mexico certainly is not perfect, but it is not what a lot of people would have us believe, either. My family and friends think I have lost my mind.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-933375543396900692011-06-23T14:09:49.083-05:002011-06-23T14:09:49.083-05:00babs, these stories sound perposterous. sure they...babs, these stories sound perposterous. sure they are true?<br />seems like we would have heard about them on national news, they are so "out there". <br />sorry for your friend's trauma, and understand your sadness.Art Morettinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-43554734003645963412011-06-23T14:03:58.077-05:002011-06-23T14:03:58.077-05:00Steve, I appreciate your comments. For me it is ...Steve, I appreciate your comments. For me it is lots more than the cruise ship situation, it is that people who don't know anything about Mexico are scaring a lot of potential visitors away. Have you read how some of our "news" gets to us? http://thefastertimes.com/news/2011/06/16/aol-hell-an-aol-content-slave-speaks-out/<br /><br />I also am angry - have you been on Travelocity lately? Front and center in bold red type - warning about travel to Mexico. Everyone here is hurting.<br /><br />Anyway, I am looking forward to being a part of this group and hope we make even a few people a bit wiser. <br /><br />Saludos, amigo!Nancynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-89807772804011388302011-06-23T13:44:29.562-05:002011-06-23T13:44:29.562-05:00Steve, cruise ship companies only respond to one t...Steve, cruise ship companies only respond to one thing - money. If tourists were booking, those ships would be there.<br /> The type of crimes occurring in Mexico are some of the most brutal and insane that you will find anywhere on this planet, this cant me ignored. You can't blame Hilary and the Democrats this time, please remember that it is your GOP that invented the war on drugs and it has been quite profitable for them.Rdp123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-82472355994957038502011-06-23T13:21:31.521-05:002011-06-23T13:21:31.521-05:00I think what part of this boils down to is, lots o...I think what part of this boils down to is, lots of individuals want things wherever they go to be just like it is at their home.Nitanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-51877783684326575232011-06-23T13:09:50.495-05:002011-06-23T13:09:50.495-05:00It is unfortunate and sad but then again, I was in...It is unfortunate and sad but then again, I was in Israel during the bombings and they were begging for tourists. Sarajevo, umm, got pretty ugly. Anyone remember Beirut, Columbia, the Los Angeles riots (several times), NYC (just because it's NYC), In my opinion it is the timidity of people that keeps travel exotic, thrilling and a bit naughty. At least to the people that stay home.NWexicannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-46363100551690682192011-06-23T12:55:24.201-05:002011-06-23T12:55:24.201-05:00Yes - total bummer. It seems like Mexico would REA...Yes - total bummer. It seems like Mexico would REALLY be concerned about losing all this tourist business and yet???blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-51778947758940765522011-06-23T12:52:41.948-05:002011-06-23T12:52:41.948-05:00There is no response to people who suffer personal...There is no response to people who suffer personal tragedy. As a species, we quickly generalize from the specific to the general. It is one of our coping mechanisms. The problem is these personal tragedies play out against the constant hum of violence in Mexico that is a news staple. I have simply come to the conclusion that some people should not travel to Mexico -- or to a lot of other places. They are not going to enjoy themselves.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-88490799240149816412011-06-23T12:48:30.814-05:002011-06-23T12:48:30.814-05:00You are correct. America is not a patient land. ...You are correct. America is not a patient land. That is why we dropped alcohol prohibition.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-90192381413555067222011-06-23T12:47:36.765-05:002011-06-23T12:47:36.765-05:00Tourism is a low margin profit industry. Each of ...Tourism is a low margin profit industry. Each of these hits will hurt. Of course, the solution is to put an end to this drug prohibition idiocy. But that is not going to happen.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-23672999701486797892011-06-23T12:46:12.227-05:002011-06-23T12:46:12.227-05:00There is no doubt that the cruise line's insur...There is no doubt that the cruise line's insurance company had a lot to do with this decision.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-19462501374115895712011-06-23T12:29:21.956-05:002011-06-23T12:29:21.956-05:00I had a sad day yesterday when I received a post f...I had a sad day yesterday when I received a post from a friend who lives on the Oregon coast who said he will NEVER travel to Mexico again. His brother was attacked south of Mazatlan and left for dead on the side of the hwy. Some villagers saved his life by picking him up and getting him to a medical facility. <br /> Then my friend was at a resort "20 miles south of Vallarta" in a jungle setting when bandits came out of the bush, set upon the tourists, tied some up and robbed everyone. I of course sympathized with him........and began to wonder how I would feel if either of those things had happened to me. I DID tell him that I was robbed at Charles De Gaulle airport once in Paris but it didn't keep me from ever going back.........small comfort though for him. I pondered his situation all day. I have been told over and over again this past year from friends that they are not coming to Mexico any more. It is VERY discouraging............ What to do? What to do?Babsofsanmiguelnoreply@blogger.com