That's My Story

COME TO MEXICO! GET A DISCOUNT!

Originally published the week of Feb. 5, 2008 in Western Outdoor News

It you want to make changes, it’s a well-known true-ism that you don’t punch them in the nose. That will only get YOU punched in the nose in return. If you really want to get some results. Hurt people in their wallets. Most conflicts do eventually come down to economics.

Well, ever since the latest outbreak and increase in road violence in northern Baja, tourists have been doing just that. They’re going to Disneyland…or the Colorado River…or Palm Springs. They are definitely NOT spending shopping weekends in Tijuana or running down to San Quntin for some fishing or Ensenada for a few days of fiesta.

If they’re not traveling, then they’re not spending. All the political clout in the world will not do as much as a bunch of local businesses clamoring that their government MUST do something as gringo revenue has dropped off sharply in the past few months. Mexican businesses are feeling the pinch and they demand action.

Statistics have shown that last year alone, tourism declined by as much as 1.5 million visitors. That loss means a lot of hotel rooms, margaritas, tacos, gasoline, fishing boats, ceramic Tweety Birds and Elvis-painted-on-velvet were not purchased.

Gringos got tired of hearing all the bad news and seeing no improvement. Mexican businessmen are in an uproar.

Alarmed at this, Mexico is going all out to bring YOU back. They are pulling out all the stops. Are you ready for this? Are you ready to pack the car up for a quick road surf trip down the Mexican highway this weekend?

According to one Mexican official, “We’re not going to put up with this anymore!” and promises a hard line against bandits, organized crime and corrupt police.

So…

They’ve started a new program called, “Get Your Passport!” and are printing up all kinds of posters, banners and ads proclaiming, “We Want You Back!” Turn on the spin machine.

According to the program, if you have your passport, you get DISCOUNTS at restaurants, hotels and from other vendors. That’s it. That’s the program. Discounts!

Hold me back! Whoo-hoooo!!! Honey, get the family and round up the neighbors, it’s safe to drive across the border again. Pack the longboard, beers, and ATV’s.

Listen, I agree to some degree that a lot of this crime stuff is overblown and amplified. It’s news. It’s dramatic. It doesn’t happen every day or to every single person who drives across the border. Tons of people live in northern Baja and commute and visit back and forth across the border daily. No problems. Not a hint of problems.

Further, not all Mexican people are banditos either or waiting to pounce on gringos from behind every bush. That’s ridiculous. But so many people get painted with the same brush! To think that would be like my Mexican friends who ask me if they will get shot on street corners if they visit Los Angeles because they see so many bad TV news stories about drive-by shootings. Just as crazy!

But there’s no denying that violence has been on an increase on northern Baja especially for gringo drivers. That is a serious problem. And there’s no denying a real fear that exists. Visitors aren’t shying away if the fear isn’t real.

However, giving me a discount to step into the rattlesnake cage isn’t going to diminish my fear of snakes or guarantee the rattler won’t bite me!

I give the Mexican government credit for trying. I hear they’re even going to give polygraph tests to the cops.

Can you hear that? It’s me sighing. You can’t even trust the cops…many of whom are good hard-working professionals struggling in a system that’s a mess from the get-go in a society just trying to survive watching rich gringos coming into their country seemingly loaded with money.

But there’s corrupt cops a-plenty (as there are in EVERY country including the U.S.) and smart banditos who put police lights on to pull over unsuspecting motorists and roust them.

I don’t know the answer, but giving me a “discount” if I have my passport ain’t it. I think most folks will still pass and head to Vegas instead where the only banditos are one-armed and only take your quarters.

Oh, did you also hear, as of Feb. 1, passport fees went up. No discounts! Check it out online:

http://www.gadling.com/2008/01/30/passport-fees-go-up-february-1-2008/

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.