Mexico Vaca... vent

I've read about 10 different posts in a month about people cancelling their honeymoons and scared about going to Mexico cuz of all the media reports.

Personally, i'm from Mexico and have been there about........ 25 + times.
I think that the media is right with what they say around the borders. It's always been bad and now is no real difference. It's kind of like saying... 'i'm not going to NY because it's really violent in Detroit' The two are nowhere near each other and are in totally different states. It's the same thing in Mexico. Would you really not go to a country because of what is happening a plane ride away in a totally different state?

I HATE when people say bad things about Mexico.. esp since half of those people have never been there and are just going by stereotypes and what they see on the news.

There have always been, and probably will always be military in the airports with guns.

(funny short story. When i was a baby my parents brought a stroller on the plane but it was folded up in a bag. The military and police didn't know what it was cuz this was 25+ years ago and held them at gun point cuz they thought it was a weapon. When my dad opened it to show him it was a stroller for a baby they all laughed and actually helped my parents with their luggage)

You are not any more likely to be robbed in Mexico then you are going to NYC. Just use common sense and it'll be fine.

Someone said, 'i dont want to go there cuz i'm worried and hear all the guys stand outside bars and wait for drunk american girls to come out and try to take them home' Really, that happens in every country, city, state in the world (esp on LI). If someone hasn't come across that here on LI then that's really uncommon, but great for them.

I'm from Mexico also but I have to disagree, the situation has taken a turn for the worst this year and with all of the unemployment in the US (which lots of people send TONS of money to Mexico) there's more despair than ever. When I was in Acapulco in May, I definitely noticed the tension, the police cheif of the state of Gerrero (where Aca is located) had just been murdered by a cartel and Aca is pretty far south.

People have to go where they feel safe and there's nothing wrong with that. Maybe by losing all this tourism revenue, the country will really do something about this, Colombia did and they are finally beginning to heal. It's sad.

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Posted by MrsCastanedain09

I'm from Mexico also but I have to disagree, the situation has taken a turn for the worst this year and with all of the unemployment in the US (which lots of people send TONS of money to Mexico) there's more despair than ever. When I was in Acapulco in May, I definitely noticed the tension, the police cheif of the state of Gerrero (where Aca is located) had just been murdered by a cartel and Aca is pretty far south.

People have to go where they feel safe and there's nothing wrong with that. Maybe by losing all this tourism revenue, the country will really do something about this, Colombia did and they are finally beginning to heal. It's sad.

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yeah.. i know colombia was really bad for a loong time cuz of all the drug problems. It's good to hear that they are doing better

Adriana, are you having Mariachis? I can't remember if it was you who was asking a few months back.

I booked with Stan Weist. I had no luck with any groups directly. His group's CD sounded amazing and he's really responsive...just wanted to avoid the 'middle man fee.

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Posted by MrsCastanedain09

Adriana, are you having Mariachis? I can't remember if it was you who was asking a few months back.

I booked with Stan Weist. I had no luck with any groups directly. His group's CD sounded amazing and he's really responsive...just wanted to avoid the 'middle man fee.

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yup that was me lol.

We saw them at a showcase but my mom didn't like him (my mom doesn't like a lot of people lol)

So i contacted some Mariachi school in NYC and asked them for a list of Mariachi bands in the area that they know.

Good for you guys! I don't care for a comment he made to me, he said something about 'my guys will show up on time, not mas tarde time like most others'.....ahem, excuse me?

Mariachi Real de Mexico or the other 2 I was trying never got back to me so I was basically forced. Send me an FM once you book someone, my cousin will need a band in 2011 and would love to give her some choices. Suerte!

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Posted by MrsCastanedain09

Good for you guys! I don't care for a comment he made to me, he said something about 'my guys will show up on time, not mas tarde time like most others'.....ahem, excuse me?

Mariachi Real de Mexico or the other 2 I was trying never got back to me so I was basically forced. Send me an FM once you book someone, my cousin will need a band in 2011 and would love to give her some choices. Suerte!

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yeah i'll def let you know who we book. I believe Mariachi Real de Mexico is one i contacted too.
I'm letting my mom handle it cuz she wants it more then me.
I would prefer a doo wop group during cocktail but if she's paying... mariachi is fine lol.

Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents...

We went to the Excellence Riviera Maya for 12 nights in June-July 2008 and had a fabulous time. We did several excursions, went to local markets/eateries, and even got in the car with a stranger (long story - we thought he was a cab driver, turns out he was just a good samaritan). Anyhow, I think that as long as you are responsible with your belongings (use the safe) and overall make smart decisions then you will find that Mexico is a great place.

Yes, there are stops on the roads where there are military men carrying fully automatic weapons in plain sight. IMO as long as you aren't trafficking drugs, weapons, any other illegal activities then this security should make you feel safe! We encountered the same type of security in Jamaica in April 2008.

Even though I pride myself on being the 'Security Queen' (ie: seatbelts always, doors locked, alarm system always on, etc.) I didn't find anything remotely uncomfortable or unsafe about Mexico.

JMO

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Posted by AdriandSteve

You are not any more likely to be robbed in Mexico then you are going to NYC. Just use common sense and it'll be fine.

Someone said, 'i dont want to go there cuz i'm worried and hear all the guys stand outside bars and wait for drunk american girls to come out and try to take them home' Really, that happens in every country, city, state in the world (esp on LI). If someone hasn't come across that here on LI then that's really uncommon, but great for them.

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ITA

I have to say we were planning to go to Cabo and now have decided NOT to go because of what is going on.

I'm sorry, and please don't take this the wrong way, but I really do not think you should tell people to go to Mexico and to not listen to the media when you can't be sure of their safety. It's a personal choice and unless someone can tell me that I am 100% safe then I'll go, but I really don't think anyone can tell me that.

Are you 100% safe in Manhattan? Does that mean you'd never go?

Just IMO.

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Posted by Its2Snappy

Are you 100% safe in Manhattan? Does that mean you'd never go?

Just IMO.

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I knew it would be taken the wrong way..But I NEVER told anyone to go anywhere and that was my point...I just don't think any of us should tell people not to listen to the media and to take a trip to a country where the crime and death rates are at an all time high.....Never Mind, but the facts are:

MSNBC News reports:
The drug lords and their soldiers are blamed for having killed more than 6,300 people since January 2008, including more than 1,000 in the first two months of this year alone.

The NY POST Reports
Last updated: 11:10 am
January 13, 2009
Posted: 2:55 am
January 13, 2009

Murder is at an all-time low in Manhattan, prosecutors said yesterday.

There were 62 murders in the borough last year, four fewer than the previous year and the lowest since 1937, when officials began keeping count, Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau said.

Like I said, personal choice...6,300 people killed in Mexico in 2008 versus 62 murders in Manhattan...yea, I think I'm safer in Manhattan. But Just IMO. And again, I never told anyone to go to Manhattan so I'm confused as to why you said that.

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Posted by WinterBride10

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Posted by Its2Snappy

Are you 100% safe in Manhattan? Does that mean you'd never go?

Just IMO.

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I knew it would be taken the wrong way..But I NEVER told anyone to go anywhere and that was my point...I just don't think any of us should tell people not to listen to the media and to take a trip to a country where the crime and death rates are at an all time high.....Never Mind, but the facts are:

MSNBC News reports:
The drug lords and their soldiers are blamed for having killed more than 6,300 people since January 2008, including more than 1,000 in the first two months of this year alone.

The NY POST Reports
Last updated: 11:10 am
January 13, 2009
Posted: 2:55 am
January 13, 2009

Murder is at an all-time low in Manhattan, prosecutors said yesterday.

There were 62 murders in the borough last year, four fewer than the previous year and the lowest since 1937, when officials began keeping count, Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau said.

Like I said, personal choice...6,300 people killed in Mexico in 2008 versus 62 murders in Manhattan...yea, I think I'm safer in Manhattan. But Just IMO. And again, I never told anyone to go to Manhattan so I'm confused as to why you said that.

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True, murders are at an all time low in Manhattan, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Last year someone got shot and killed right outside my apartment and I whitnessed it. It wasn't even that late and FH or me or any of our friends could have been walking outside at that time.

I am just saying that there is crime everywhere and the best we can do is be smart, and be aware of your surroundings. If that means you choose to stay away from certain areas in order to stay safe...I do not object to that. Everyone needs to do what they feel is right for them. I am still going to Mexico, but I totally understand why someone wouldn't want to go...it IS scarey!

I'm sorry you witnessed that...and you're right, at any time and anywhere you risk the chance of losing your life, but I think the chances of you getting hurt in Mexico right now are much greater. I'm not an expert, but if the statistics are reporting 6,300 deaths from the Drug Lords alone in 2008 and 1,00 in the month of January, then to me, and again - my personal opinion, I would chose not to go, nor would I tell anyone to go..

Maybe I'm wrong and it's one of the safest places in the world, but I can't take that chance and I wouldn't tell anyone to take that chance.

I'm really not trying to hurt anyone on this site and I'm not telling anyone to go where their lives are in danger, so I'm really not sure why there was a negative response to my message.

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Posted by WinterBride10

I'm sorry you witnessed that...and you're right, at any time and anywhere you risk the chance of losing your life, but I think the chances of you getting hurt in Mexico right now are much greater. I'm not an expert, but if the statistics are reporting 6,300 deaths from the Drug Lords alone in 2008 and 1,00 in the month of January, then to me, and again - my personal opinion, I would chose not to go, nor would I tell anyone to go..

Maybe I'm wrong and it's one of the safest places in the world, but I can't take that chance and I wouldn't tell anyone to take that chance.

I'm really not trying to hurt anyone on this site and I'm not telling anyone to go where their lives are in danger, so I'm really not sure why there was a negative response to my message.

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Did you think that my response was negative toward your message? Not my intention, just pointing out that we need to be aware no matter where we go.

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Posted by WinterBride10

I'm sorry you witnessed that...and you're right, at any time and anywhere you risk the chance of losing your life, but I think the chances of you getting hurt in Mexico right now are much greater. I'm not an expert, but if the statistics are reporting 6,300 deaths from the Drug Lords alone in 2008 and 1,00 in the month of January, then to me, and again - my personal opinion, I would chose not to go, nor would I tell anyone to go..

Maybe I'm wrong and it's one of the safest places in the world, but I can't take that chance and I wouldn't tell anyone to take that chance.

I'm really not trying to hurt anyone on this site and I'm not telling anyone to go where their lives are in danger, so I'm really not sure why there was a negative response to my message.

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Yes unfortunately A LOT of people are dying by the borders and i would never ever advise someone to go there cuz it's def dangerous over there.

I just think it's important to keep in mind exactly where these killings are happening.

IMHO if things were really bad by the resorts the Mexican gov't would never allow it because most of their income comes from tourism and it would kill their economy if they did nothing.

I have no problem with people not going because of their personal saftey.. that's everyone's decision. Just keep in mind that where all the killings are happening are not by the resorts (aside from the occasional unfortunate event).
For ex. E. LA is BAD.. does that mean you shouldn't go to LA where the $ and tourism is?

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Posted by Cacarina

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Posted by WinterBride10

I'm sorry you witnessed that...and you're right, at any time and anywhere you risk the chance of losing your life, but I think the chances of you getting hurt in Mexico right now are much greater. I'm not an expert, but if the statistics are reporting 6,300 deaths from the Drug Lords alone in 2008 and 1,00 in the month of January, then to me, and again - my personal opinion, I would chose not to go, nor would I tell anyone to go..

Maybe I'm wrong and it's one of the safest places in the world, but I can't take that chance and I wouldn't tell anyone to take that chance.

I'm really not trying to hurt anyone on this site and I'm not telling anyone to go where their lives are in danger, so I'm really not sure why there was a negative response to my message.

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Did you think that my response was negative toward your message? Not my intention, just pointing out that we need to be aware no matter where we go.

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No!!! Not you at all, I'm sorry. To the girl who was very sarcastic to me asking if I would stay away from Manhattan. There really is no need for it, we are talking about Mexico and there is a very serious situation going on over there, not Manhattan where the murder rate was under 100 people in the year 2008.