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Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Such a lovely stroll doesn't sell Hollywood flicks very well, I'm afraid.

Ka · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 1:07 am Post subject:

So what you're telling me is that small town Mexico is not like it is depicted in Three Amigos?

Never!

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

Well some of it is:

aroha · Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 66 Location: Mexico

I feel safer here in Mexico's DF than in other cities, since people seem to help complete strangers without any embarrassment. Its good not to be paranoid about walking down the street - I'm sure there are many cities that are more dangerous than DF - but it doesn't pay to let your guard down too much eh. Whether you are gringo or chilango...

Two months ago my Mexican mother-in-law was travelling home in a workmate's 4WD and they were car-jacked at the traffic lights in Colonia Del Valle. They were taken on an ATM tour to withdraw money and dumped at midnight in Iztapalapa. Apparently there is a roaring trade in stolen 4WDs which are smuggled south. Two years ago my brother-in-law was car-jacked in a 4WD, and last year my partner was also robbed at gunpoint for his wallet and cellphone. All of them emerged shaken but uninjured.

I travel on public buses and the metro all the time. The only time somebody tried to rob me was on the bus, but it was more like a frantic pickpocket job and the guy apologised when I asked him what the hell he was doing. I've also seen a young guy pickpocket an older lady on the metro. When she realised she pleaded for her wallet - he gave it back to her and ran.

Obviously I havent told mum and dad about any of this!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

It's unfortunate that is does happen here. That ATM ride is what's commonly called an 'express kidnapping'. Not to be heartless towards what your mother-n-law went through, but they call it a kidnapping in order to get the maximum sentence to those who are caught...40 years in jail I think, as opposed to less for armed robbery.

aroha · Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 66 Location: Mexico

You spooked me more with the image of creepy pumpkin laughing than the whole express kidnapping thing!

mmmmwah ha ha haaaaa

MELEE · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:54 pm Post subject:

MELEE · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:01 pm Post subject:

uuhhhh Where's the delete gotton too!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Yes it is. It's a vast area, the biggest delegation in DF I thin, that is a fair bit of residential neighborhood, mostly blue-collar. Not that blue collar equals crime though.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

I'm glad that I won't be driving a 4WD when I get there. I'm thinking of having an extra wallet with a little money in it just in case. I'll give that one to the thug and I'll get to keep mine. A little distraction from the real wallet and the thug walks away happy.
Guy, exactly where in DF is Iztapalapa? North? South? I want to make sure that I avoid that area. Is it ok for a foreigner to carry pepper spray in DF?

John

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Iztapalapa is the whole south east part of Mexico City. Odds are you wouldnt live there nor teach there. Ill post a map here in a little while.

One map, as promised. Zoom in on the South East sections. Zoom in on the central west sections and look for me waving at ya.

http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/distrito-federal-df-mexico/mexico-df-distrito-federal-mexico-map-main.shtml

suee · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 5:12 pm Post subject:

been living here 3.5 years, blonde female, never had any problem...

thelmadatter · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 1:20 pm Post subject:

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Terrible isn't it? I blame all those US tv shows we watch. Wink