Hi Guys,

I am in Mexico now, and have been for 6 weeks, and can report first hand that, other than the necesity for what I call "combat driving", it is perfectly safe down here. Speaking with some locals, I have come to the conclusion that the old saying goes "if you go looking for trouble, you´ll find it". Stay away from drugs, hookers and drunks and the people who associate therein, and no problem.

James

nice post James, well said! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

In the last 35 years I have circumnavigated Mexico 3 times; twice alone. I have been down the Baja about 20 times by every conceivable route - always on motorcycles. Only rarely have I camped out but only because the gear is too bulky and I like SOME kind of shower. The worst problem I ever had was when an oncoming pickup lost his load just before we passed. Now THAT was a problem. But the people have been great. However I do feel that the traffic is rapidly getting worse and road construction isn't keeping up.
// Bob

IMHO:
http://www.thebrightstuff.com/ch13.htm
pls see the second last paragraph.
cheers
ChrisB

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TheBrightStuffDotCom

In this area of Mexico (the Oaxacan coast) free camping on the beaches is generally safe. You have to talk to the local people and get their opinion; if they think there is trouble in the area they'll let you know.

That said, I'd rather pay 50 pesos ($5!) to rent a hammock under a palapa or get a cheap room for 100 pesos... my back is getting too stiff in my old age for sleeping on the ground ... ;)

Reading through your wonderful story of your trip south of the US/Mexico border, I have to comment on one thing you said. You had stated that since your second language is French, why didn't the French invade South and Central America so you could speak it when you visited (Not your exact words, but I could figure that you were getting to that). The French were defeated, at least in Mexico, on September 16, xxxx (I have to admit, I forgot the year). Mexico celebrates two independence days; Cinco de Mayo ('the fifth of May') which is more widely known and celebrated, when Mexico became independent of Spain, and the 16th of September, the lesser known independence day, when Mexico defeated the French. From what I understand, there is a little French influence somewhere off the beaten track in Mexico. But obviously, the Spanish left a more lasting impression!!

Yuma Simon
The comment about the French etc. was very much meant tongue in cheek. As are all the words on the site. I try to show good pics, but the less said about my prose, the better :) .

My Spanish is now better than my French. Now when visiting France I get frustrated that I speak a muddle of Spanish, French and English. I have yet to master any of them fluently :cool3:

Glad you like my website.
Cheers
Chris

Chris,

I understand alot of your (very entertaining) journal was very tongue in cheek. I work as a teacher in Calexico, California, on the border with Mexicali, Mexico. The teaching assistant who works with me commutes daily into the US from Mexicali where she resides. Just two weeks ago, we were going over several maps of Mexico on www.maps-of-mexico.com and she was pointing out the interesting places to visit. It was then that she mentioned the one area in Mexico where French is spoken, and still has a French influence. That is what I found that made your journal so relevant, since your tongue-in-cheek(y) remark about the French language was so coincidental. On Monday, if I remember, I will ask her where this area is. Has anyone from these forums been there or heard about such an area?

BTW, one who mixes Spanish and English is said to speak "Spanglish," or, if you're like me, you just get laughed at at your pathetic attempt at Spanish by your students. However, in your case, you could call it Frenspanglish, or "what the %#*& did I just say?!"

in november last year i travelled through mexico off road with my brother and had no problems at all. the only warnings i got were from americans, which is funny because the only problem i had was up near the border where the americans tend to use mexico as their playground, ignoring all the rules and going crazy.
this quite rightly p*sses off the locals and gives tourists a bad name (especially those with bikes), as soon as you get away from the border it gets much nicer, yeah mexicans might be a little rude when you first meet them but as long as your sensible and thoughtful (like learning some of their lingo) they're as friendly as in any other country, plus the food is great!:thumbup1:

French in Mexico
 

Re Yuma Simon's question about the French in Mexico : A French Copper mining company exploited the mines at Santa Rosalia in Baja California Sur. I don't know if anyone there still speaks French as the Mine ands smelter has long since closed and it was started after the French were actually defeated ,I believe. But there are still some architectural hints of French inflence and there is still a bakery where you can indeed buy tasty fresh French bread

Thank you for the information. I discussed it with my co-worker, and she said that it was Santa Rosalia, although she has not personally been there.