Your blog is sooooo interesting. I did not see anything about adjusting to the altitude — any comments on that?

Do you mind if I print off some of your writing and pictures for your Aunt Dorene to read?

I docent at the Huntington Library and Gardens in the Reading Plants program and am curious if anyone will know the name of the fantastic Malinalco flower. In the Desert Garden we have many unusual plants.

Thanks again for such a great website.

Shirley Juhl Spencer
Pasadena, CA

I have been going to Mexico City since 1983. Five times in Mexico crooks “set me up” to rob me, and for totally unknown reasons, I can see them coming, though it is hard to explain how I do it. They failed 5 for 5. Once, the gun was visible. As I state below, those in Mexico City were all in late 90’s. I find the streets very calm now.

We almost always use street taxis. The only time we had a problem was with a sitio taxi. Smart aleck said he didn’t have to use the meter, and claimed charges double the normal. When we dropped us off, I got out, and stood there methodically writing down his numbers, and he finally knocked off most of the excess.

Once, we went to the street to get a taxi to TAPO to go to our home in rural Puebla. I had several thousand dollars of pesos in my Bean Bag for house construction. Part way to TAPO, the taxi had a flat tire, and we had to hit the street again for another taxi.

Worries about the street taxis hang on from the late 90’s when it was a problem. In fact, four of the attempts to rob me were in the late 90’s, although none involved a taxi. The fifth was in Tepeaca, Pue two or three years ago.

In February, my wife and I took the bus into our home near San Cosme, and on the metro from TAPO to Buenavista, it became apparent a man planned to strong arm her for her purse, which she for reasons known only to herself had on her arm. I set up right behind him in fighting mode, and he decided to let her keep her purse. Heh, heh. Smart man.

I do agree that for first timers or newbies, their conduct should be ultra-conservative. Newbies cannot see things about to happen.

Rafael– my thoughts exactly; you can get into trouble in a number of seemingly ’safe’ US cities… We are certainly enjoying the experience here in DF!!

Larry

Until 4 years ago, I lived in Mexico City from the day I was born. To this day I have never been a direct victim of violence in Mexico City. My family has been several times, but every person living in a big city knows it’s a matter of luck.

Oh, and the first time I feared for my life (and had a gun pointed at me) was because of a drug-related fight, and happened in Belltown, a fancy neighborhood in Seattle, WA.

I also did a look at the “Security” alert report on my blog.
What can you say, as people (especially north americans) travel more they need more advice.

Thank you for offering it with a chuckle.

Dayna

P.S. Do you mind if I re-post this? I love it and I keep having friends ask me if it’s safe to come down here/should they cancel their trip to Cancun/will they get robbed or kidnapped while they’re here. This was very eloquent, funny and extremely accurate!

Joy– agreed; at this rate, we will be trapped in our homes with most of North America off limits… This can only bode well for Nebraska tourism??

Paul– excellent addition on the guns!! enjoyed your blog post; the drug war certainly raises a number of complex questions…I hope the US continues to move in the direction of admitting that it’s not all “Mexico’s fault” & addressing the demand side of the equation…

Gary/Jim- definitely concur that my quiz errs on the ‘conservative’ side, as after living for 8 months in DF, my husband and I have indeed taken libre taxis, driven on free highways, and visited Lagunilla…(though not Tepito!) But for your average first-time gringo visitor, I would still keep 7-9-14 on the ‘best to avoid for now’ list, particularly if you lack Spanish fluency.

Refried– yeah, we made it as far as La Lagunilla (v. close to Tepito) with about 100 pesos in our pockets & although I didn’t feel “unsafe” per se, there was a definite up-tick in brash commentary from vendors/passersby… When I later recounted our mercado outing to my boss (who’s from DF), he strongly suggested I avoid Tepito & commented “When tourists go to places like Tepito, that is why they come back with stories about how unsafe MX City is!!”

And La Lagunilla Market is fabulous! It’s called the Thieves Market not so much because there are thieves there waiting to rob you, but because the stuff you had stolen last week will be on sale there. You shouldn’t turn up to the place dressed in full tourist regalia perhaps, but it’s not so bad on a weekend, and there are some great antiques stalls.

Another question could be

16. I am interested in buying and exporting from the USA and selling in Mexico one hundred “cuernos de chivo” (AK-47’s).

I have also written about the security issues of living in Mexico in response to an English friend asking me:

“I read an article in The Independent about the fact that Mexico was a failing state because all the drugs cartels have taken over the country. Is it that bad? Are you safe? Should we legalise drugs?”

I said in reply that “The short answer to these three questions is
1) no 2) yes and 3) yes. The long answer now follows.”

If your blog will allow me to publish my url the long answer is on

http://livingandworkinginmexico.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/mexico-a-failed-state/

Also, have you heard: Alabama is no longer safe to travel, too, either!!!

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/03/11/alabama.shooting.spree/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Hope to see you in Malinalco this fin de semana?

Saludos!!

Saludos, Jim Johnston, Mexico City

Plus, blogs like yours are reassuring when it comes to visiting Mexico City.

Thanks for the link.

I might also add:

15. When you rent a car do you specify a black hummer or suburban with blacked out windows and expensive wheels?

Thanks for the link, love the humor.

Nancy

Also, I promise to stop being a cheap ass and hailing cabs off the street from now on.