tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post286213135868646698..comments2023-12-16T05:27:05.041-06:00Comments on mexpatriate — in the key of steve: a last fling in the highlandsSteve Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00468378507171761868noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-47756171055451124122011-07-10T09:24:23.497-05:002011-07-10T09:24:23.497-05:00I was thinking of re-christening the truck from th...I was thinking of re-christening the truck from the Shiftless Escape to the Welfare Escape -- because it seems to love redistributing my property.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-71781526292722330942011-07-10T08:19:37.342-05:002011-07-10T08:19:37.342-05:00Long ago, I lived in a neighborhood in California ...Long ago, I lived in a neighborhood in California where anything that wasn't literally nailed down, locked in, or bolted on would be stolen. Including the wheels on a parked car. We learned quickly to nail, lock, and bolt as a matter of habit. And it's a habit that has served me well in the USA, and I imagine would too in Mexico. <br /><br />Sorry for your loss...sounds like "escape" is really the name for the contents of your vehicle, not the vehicle itself. <br /><br />Saludos,<br /><br />Kim G<br />Boston, MA<br /><i>Where we now live warily, but in a safe neighborhood.</i>Kim Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-37718892266871026162011-07-09T23:18:36.338-05:002011-07-09T23:18:36.338-05:00But we are straying from my original point. Losin...But we are straying from my original point. Losing these few possessions is not a big deal. At most, it is a slight inconvenience. Here in Melaque, my truck sleeps behind a gate every night.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-43572696774440285842011-07-09T23:16:24.359-05:002011-07-09T23:16:24.359-05:00I don't usually ask for directions because I h...I don't usually ask for directions because I have a rather good idea where I am going. But I often ask for directions in Mexico. Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-42338596898555310152011-07-09T17:55:42.256-05:002011-07-09T17:55:42.256-05:00Men never ask for directions! Poo-bah! Last time I...Men never ask for directions! Poo-bah! Last time I checked, I had a pair, and I ask directions whenever necessary. My last wife, however, would drop dead before she would ask directions. So much for that stereotype.<br /><br />But you're right about pensiones. Only way to go.Felipe Zapatahttp://zapatatales.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-80728885201350895172011-07-09T17:49:38.223-05:002011-07-09T17:49:38.223-05:00There is always an option. It's just that some...There is always an option. It's just that sometimes it's inconvenient. Long-term contract parking lots are common. With luck they are near your home. If not, that's when the inconvenience comes in.<br /><br />Let's see. You've lived in Mexico, what, two years part-time? And you've had your gas syphoned, your window busted, your car's contents robbed? On more than one occasion. I've been in Mexico 11 years full-time, and none of that has ever happened to me because I don't park on the street overnight. Never.<br /><br />I know Babs parks on the street there, and I think she's been very, very lucky so far. Let's hope it continues. But she's running a risk too.<br /><br />Better not to park overnight on the street. Options exist.Felipe Zapatahttp://zapatatales.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-13713500845283555582011-07-09T13:15:10.057-05:002011-07-09T13:15:10.057-05:00Babs is resident. Thieves know that they'll ha...Babs is resident. Thieves know that they'll have to reckon with her. You're the foreigner, the tourist, the out-of-towner, the new guy in SMA -- and that means fair game. Is it going to kill you to put the car in a pension? <br /><br />Print out the route while you're at home in Melaque. In both directions. Put the print-out in the car. jennifer rosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-28261381758721192452011-07-09T13:12:09.725-05:002011-07-09T13:12:09.725-05:00The Escape is getting there -- bit by bit.The Escape is getting there -- bit by bit.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-5569925774991314242011-07-09T13:07:16.788-05:002011-07-09T13:07:16.788-05:00Our secret is using our old 1989 Honda with a litt...Our secret is using our old 1989 Honda with a little rust and a lot of peeling paint. It looks enough like a "Mexican" car that potential thieves walk right past it without a second glance.Croft Randlenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-58490383792336026012011-07-09T13:01:21.605-05:002011-07-09T13:01:21.605-05:00An idea. But Babs has not had very bad luck by le...An idea. But Babs has not had very bad luck by leaving her car out. And this was my fault. Car doors should be locked and goods stowed. I know those rules from parking in The States.<br /><br />By the time I realized my GPS pickle, my computer was packed. Besides, I did not take the printer with me. As it was, I simply chose the first star to the right and went straight on 'til morning. (Wow! There is a subtext there.)Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-125024523693324522011-07-09T12:57:07.582-05:002011-07-09T12:57:07.582-05:00I saw your post on Nancy's blog about air cond...I saw your post on Nancy's blog about air conditioning on the coast. I have become acclimated enough that fans do the trick for me. On my last trip to Puerto Vallarta this summer, I turned off the air conditioning in my hotel room and opened a window. Having said that, I did appreciate the cool evenings in San Miguel.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-74052224174523589422011-07-09T10:45:52.902-05:002011-07-09T10:45:52.902-05:00Put your car in a pension. Sure, it might mean tha...Put your car in a pension. Sure, it might mean that you would have to walk or take a taxi from Babs' casita to the pension, but doing so takes your vehicle out of temptation's way. That's what I do when I go to SMA. <br /><br />Lock, check, and double-check that you really did lock the doors. A little OCD never hurt anyone.<br /><br />Finally, go to http://aplicaciones4.sct.gob.mx/sibuac_internet/ControllerUI?action=cmdEscogeRuta to plot out your itinerary. (I know you're not going to do so, since you're a guy, and men never ask for directions.) <br /><br />I was going to suggest ziplining if you're looking for adventure, but then I remembered what happened with that adventure. You're too told to keep looking for adventure. Sit back and read Clive Cussler instead.jennifer rosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-24415463623108285142011-07-09T10:28:22.468-05:002011-07-09T10:28:22.468-05:00It may have something to do with displaying "...It may have something to do with displaying "foreign rich Gringo" License plates?<br />It is indeed a royal pain when stuff like that happens. It is to be expected that at some point something like that would happen, and prepare for it by not leaving anything really valuable in the car. At least they didn't break a window, if there is any positive aspect to the break-in.Your description of the oven as you approached the coast would have caused me to turn the car around and high tail-it back to high country. Enjoy the heat, you can have it!Tanchonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-25146520256879447962011-07-09T10:16:39.728-05:002011-07-09T10:16:39.728-05:00Yes, it is the long way. But, by that point, I wa...Yes, it is the long way. But, by that point, I was ready for an adventure. And it worked out to be a great day.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-57220200843099556952011-07-09T10:01:43.333-05:002011-07-09T10:01:43.333-05:00Isn't Dolores Hidalgo the long way? I would ...Isn't Dolores Hidalgo the long way? I would have headed for Guanajuato<br /><br />And there are pay parking lots that are not expensiveSparksmexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-926769050224614182011-07-09T09:38:19.000-05:002011-07-09T09:38:19.000-05:00When I moved here, I decided to take each circumst...When I moved here, I decided to take each circumstance as a new adventure. Not being certain about how to get somewhere, though, is not new to me. Over the years, I have developed several techniques. In this case, I knew I eventually needed to head west. With the sun coming up, that was an easy assessment. Knowing the route through Dolores Hidalgo was another clue. I got to see a lot of things I would not have seen on a cuota. I have a Roja map that I used once I got gas and was headed somewhere I recognized. All in all, it was a practically perfect day for being alive.<br /><br />When I return, my truck will stay where it was.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-44378350970801966562011-07-09T09:29:39.240-05:002011-07-09T09:29:39.240-05:00If I had known, I would have told you to go over n...If I had known, I would have told you to go over near Mega, follow that road out of town to Celaya (which is only about 20 minutes now) and get on the cuota there. It takes you all the way and you're never on two lane roads........soooooooo much easier then the way the GPS brought you here. Maybe I'll give you one of my Roja maps.<br />I went out and checked my car on the street this morning after reading your post but no problems. The CD episode is the only thing, oops and the broken window in ten years. I suppose while you're here if you want to pull your car in and out each night and morning you can. I just never thought you would have any problems as I don't........To access my gas I have a lever inside the car that has to be depressed in order to open the area where the gas cap is located. I just assumed that all newer cars have that.......guess I assumed wrong!Babsofsanmiguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-10987883794919829782011-07-09T08:59:23.692-05:002011-07-09T08:59:23.692-05:00This little adventure certainly does not qualify a...This little adventure certainly does not qualify as a calamity. Hardly even a <i>tope</i> in the road.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-31891678190689129962011-07-09T08:55:48.549-05:002011-07-09T08:55:48.549-05:00And what is it with stealing the manual? The firs...And what is it with stealing the manual? The first time my Escape was broken into (that time through a window the thief broke), one of the items missing was the manual.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-37063346708457369252011-07-09T08:54:11.243-05:002011-07-09T08:54:11.243-05:00There is no pain. I am not tied to my stuff enoug...There is no pain. I am not tied to my stuff enough to care what goes missing. My mistake.<br /><br />The GPS works fine on the dash -- for about two hours or so. Not much help on a nine-hour drive. It is not designed to be used very long on battery power. Driving without it was a good lesson in paying attention to where I was actually driving. <br /><br />And there is always the dilemma of locking or not locking doors. I have already learned how easy it is to have a window broken and things stolen. This time, there was no tampering with the radio. Simply a crime of opportunity.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-23101021795479342192011-07-09T08:48:23.580-05:002011-07-09T08:48:23.580-05:00But that was not an option.But that was not an option.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-65429120369383872362011-07-09T08:48:07.260-05:002011-07-09T08:48:07.260-05:00It is not a big deal. Your lesson on the CDs has ...It is not a big deal. Your lesson on the CDs has been well-learned.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-9007439529052329992011-07-09T08:47:31.974-05:002011-07-09T08:47:31.974-05:00It was just stuff. The only thing I need to repla...It was just stuff. The only thing I need to replace is the GPS mount. I already have a replacement coming from The States. It is so easy to forget to lock doors.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-25907347521002671092011-07-09T08:44:51.727-05:002011-07-09T08:44:51.727-05:00As the saying goes, "coulda been worse."...As the saying goes, "coulda been worse."<br />My bro-in-law had his gas stolen a wonderfully different way, there was a hole drilled in the bottom if his gas tank. Sorry about your calamity but glad you made it safely.NWexicannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-64158673554728279042011-07-09T08:38:49.874-05:002011-07-09T08:38:49.874-05:00Total bummer - we have not had any theft in Mexico...Total bummer - we have not had any theft in Mexico save<br />someone lifting a spent car battery out of the yard (can get 100 pesos or more<br />for a dead battery).<br /><br /> Obviously you were a bit culpable leaving an ‘open’<br />invitation. I am sure that does not obviate any of the pain. I feel for you<br />amigo. <br /><br />Perhaps this will lead to our education on buying a good flashlight and<br />such.<br /><br /><br /><br />Your GPS would not work laying on the dash (to get home)?<br /><br /><br /><br />We are in Las Vegas where stuff like this happens a lot. I<br />am going to go check that my car is locked now.John Calypsohttp://vivaveracruz.com/blognoreply@blogger.com