|
|
|
 Editorials | Opinions | May 2008 
Why I Have 'Nothing Bad to Say About Mexico'
 Allan Prout - The Leader-Post
go to original
This is a reply to the letter entitled, "Nothing good to say about Mexico". I would like to call mine, "Nothing bad to say about Mexico."
I have gone to Mexico for 19 consecutive years and have lived there as a part-time resident for 13 years.
Last winter, I was interviewed by a journalist from Guadalajara. He asked me if I had ever been a victim of a crime. Not in Mexico, but several times in Regina, Saskatoon and Yorkton.
Had I ever seen a crime in Mexico?
No. I have driven down to it three times, most recently on my motorcycle two years ago and have nothing to say but good things about all the people I have met in my travels and my home in Puerto Vallarta.
Though many are very poor by our standards, I have been treated with generosity and caring by most people. Some tourists go there, let their hair down, abuse alcohol and drugs, and find themselves in hot water. A lot of the problems we hear about are self-inflicted ones.
Hundreds of thousands of Canadians go to Mexico and have a safe holiday. If you get into trouble here, you can get into trouble there. Though I often see signs that say (in Spanish), "The street is not an open bar", I see many tourists walking the streets, drinking beer - and the police ignore it. They are very tolerant with tourists, but you must remember they use the Napoleonic Code of Justice and you are presumed guilty until proven innocent. When you leave Canada, you also leave your rights behind.
My partner of eight years has a 19-year-old son who wants to go north of the border to make some "big money."
She said, "absolutely not." Mexicans are forever hearing of school shootings and mall shootings; the immigrant who was Tasered and died in the Vancouver airport made headline news. Many of them perceive Canada and the U.S.A. as being dangerous - better to stay home in Mexico, where you are safe.
I say go to Mexico, enjoy the people, enjoy the great food, enjoy the music, enjoy the culture, enjoy the hot sun, be generous with the people and reap the rewards. Viva Mexico! |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us