8 Comments for Safety Advice for Travelers Going Anyplace! + Video

• 1. Dianne  |  April 30th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

  Hi Barbie,
  I love getting your emails even though I don’t have the kind of money it would take to live
  in some of the more popular places, like Mazatlan or Guatalajara.
  But I do think I can make a go of it in Guanajuato city, where I made a few wonderful friends,
  both native and ex-pats.
  I’m going there in July to visit my friends and see what prices are like for renting as well as buying.
  I pass your newsletters on to friends of mine who think I’m crazy for wanting to move to another country.
  And they are ALWAYS saying how dangerous Mexico is!
  Mind you, these people have never been to Mexico, but they all have a million reasons why I shouldn’t.
  I guarantee you, THEY will be the ones coming to stay at my place for free!!!!
  Well, a good friend of mine just returned from a week in Guatalajara and fell in love with it.
  She now says she wants to move there and I do believe she’s serious. By the way, she’s NOT one
  of the folks who ever thought I was crazy for wanting this change in my life. So I’m thrilled that she really
  wants to research the possibilities.
  I’m forwarding this newsletter to her, as she is starting a research folder on Mexico. I may be there
  before her, but it’s wonderful to know that sooner or later, one of my good amigas will be joining me, and
  all the other happy ex-pats in beautiful Mexico.
  Thanks for all the valuable and fun information. Keep the good word coming!!
  Adios, por ahora,
  Diane

• 2. Charlie  |  April 30th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

  This is an email I received from a special friend living in Mexico, and my response:

  Hi Charlie, So good to hear from you. I really appreciate you helping out the people I send your email address - that is really just going over the top for the call of duty, I think! I know they all appreciate your help soooo much! I am going to add your email response to my blog section - along with my reply. I hope you are having a truly wonderful day, Charlie!
  The very best to you,
  Barbie

  > Hi Barbie
  >
  > FYI I have answered all of your referrals over this way and have had some real good questions.
  >
  > Safety In Mx is much like the US. In New York. LA or Chicago you don’t show your cash, You don’t go into bad neighborhoods and you in general you are very careful In the states…you don’t let your kids out after dark.
  >
  > Thieves don’t target or waste their time out in the country they look for where there is money or where there are gringos… same thing. Children play in the streets here until very late most later than we ever allowed our kids out and they are not touched and crime, as we have known, is almost non-existant. It sounds like the people that are asking are not in the real world.

• 3. Barbie  |  April 30th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

  Just added this to my reply to Charlie:
  p.s. Dick and I love going along the malecon - yes, even when it’s dark, and see all the families - all the little ones have hold of their parents hands… or they are playing while watched closely…it’s like it was years ago.

• 4. Shari and Dad  |  April 30th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

  Hi Barbie and Dick!

  Think of you every day!!! just; somehow, can’t get it together to email you everything as I want to!!! Too many things going on this past 11 months that keep me from doing that. But! I will…hang in there!

  Your most recent question ‘tho I must respond to! Is it safe to come here?

  Yes!!!! There have been mucho problems here in Northern Baja, MX. Have those and are those problems being addressed by the new ‘government’ ? Yes!!!!!!! We feel so blessed by our new government!!!!!!!!!!

  Is the U.S., i.e., San Diego Tribune playing all this horrible stuff to the hilt? Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!! They report things…awful things! that happened weeks/months ago!!!!! We are furious by that, Barbie and Dick. What has been and unfortunately continues to be happening in T.J. and this area (Northern Baja) is a direct result of ALL!!!!! the negative from the U.S. hotline. Yes…there continues to be…problems…all associated with the drug cartels. Our new government….local, federal and otherwise are sooooo working on that! Thank God!

  Back to your question…is it (MX); are we, safe???? Yes! But, don’t be stupid!!! Don’t drive down here in a new SUV with blacked out windows….don’t drive down here in a new Hummvie, etc., etc.,!!!! Gosh! Above all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don’t read and BELIEVE all the news s____t! that is weeks and months old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that our ’state of CA’ is publishing! We are so tired of that. The questions is: which State/Country does not want our tourists?????? Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Have I/we answered your question? Hope so! We’ll send more positive info/updates later,
  Shari & Dan
  P.S. Feel free to quote anything in this email!!!

• 5. Cathie  |  April 30th, 2008 at 10:40 pm

  Barbie

  Just wanted you to know that I live 38 miles south of Tijuana and the San Ysidro border crossing.
  I am a widow that lives and travels by herself. (back and forth to the States) Mexico is safe, if you “THINK SAFE” and “DO SAFE” I do not travel at night ……anywhere. I only take the toll roads while going to Tijuana to get to the border. I do not go into TJ itself there is nothing I need or want there. I can always get what I need in Rosarito or in the States when I cross. When I see another car with US plates, I try to travel with them…There is safety in numbers.

  I never put myself into neighborhoods that I do not know. I am aware of my surroundings, I do not wear flashy jewlery, I keep my cash in my pockets (and not all in the same pocket).

  I love my life in Mexico…….I want all people to know what a beautiful country it is. The people here are warm, gracious and extremely talented. I feel that it is a privledge for me to be able to be here.

  There is good and bad people on Both sides of the Border…..I perfer to live on this side.

  Best wishes, Cathie

• 6. Pete  |  May 4th, 2008 at 6:59 pm

  Hi Barbie,
  To answer your question: In eight years in Mexico I haven’t had one problem of any kind. Pete

• 7. Charles  |  May 4th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

  Mexico is as safe as you make it. Mexico City and parts of Guadalajara have areas you would not want to travel like any other big city. In any area your dress and car can make you a target. Flaunting your wealth or jewelry entices any theif anywhere If you dress plain and casual you blend in to the surounding. Thieves go after what looks like money to Them I live in a small town I have no need for jewelry so my rolex stays in a lock box Crime is almost non existant . I have only heard of a garden hose or lawn chair dissapearing Don”let your ego set you up as a target.

• 8. Charles  |  May 4th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

  I had to send another note after attending a festival in the plaza last night After your question of safey I was looking at everything wirg a critical eye

  There were maybe 250 to 300 people in the plaza, The plaza is across from the church. The castillo (fireworks) were set up on the church parking lot and we going all night the castillo at 10:00 (big display Mexican style)

  There was a band, dancing, laughing, talking, eating a very festive occassion.

  There were many children running around of all ages unatended by american standards, there was no drinking except a beer here and there maybe 5. There was no smoking. There were many family groups young and old. The only police were the road parols who were stopping at the taco stand for a bag and then off they went to park and eat somewhere, I have been in this town for 2 years and have never seen a fight, yelling yes but fists no.The final fireworks display was at 10:15 and by 11 the crowd started to disperse. A few cars and trucks pulled out and there were a few waiting for the last bus.

  I was one of three americans in the plaza who are treated like friends and neighbors

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