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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2356
Registered: 4-23-2006
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Whilst on the subject of scary things in Mexico, how many here have had their foreign plated cars seized? 🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 633
Registered: 6-4-2012
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In my over fifty years of driving Baja and Baja Sur, the only issues I
have ever had were with some Federales who knew no bounds in
showing their badges power to intimidate any who crosses their path.
Every military road stop since has been respectful and appreciative of
my expressed support for them keeping the highway as safe as
possible por la gente.
The appreciation I have always received from these road check stops is a reward onto itself, and cost me
nada.
These soldiers deserve nothing less from any of us. Their appreciation is the reward every time.
It shows on their faces. The slightest respect goes a long way and costs us so little.
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bajatrailrider
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2533
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
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Mood: Happy
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My first time Baja 1975 moved here 18 years ago . Im PR never had trucks seized or anyone I know.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3621
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Quote: Originally posted by surfhat  |
Every military road stop since has been respectful and appreciative of
my expressed support for them keeping the highway as safe as
possible por la gente.
The appreciation I have always received from these road check stops is a reward onto itself, and cost me
nada.
These soldiers deserve nothing less from any of us. Their appreciation is the reward every time.
It shows on their faces. The slightest respect goes a long way and costs us so little. |
Never read a post that sounded like a fairy tale. Not fooling anyone here who knows Baja. That's not you.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 633
Registered: 6-4-2012
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Lee, we all have had our own personal experiences in Baja over the decades.
What appears as a fantasy to some is in fact quite true for others.
Never meant to offend anyone by sharing my own perspective of what has worked for me since the early 70's.
The appreciation I put out to the personnel at the various military road checks shows on their faces with a smile every time.
I hope showing respect to these young soldiers is not a rare thing. Maybe it is.
They deserve nothing less from us visitors, even when we live there as I did for decades.
I grew up the son of a Greatest Generation Marine pilot. My respect for those who serve applies to these young Mexican soldiers, as well.
Thanking them for keeping the roadway safer costs me nothing. The appreciation I receive back every time is no fairy tale. It shows on their faces.
If one can give them a moment of respite from the drudgery of their jobs, I am happy to oblige.
I will continue do as I have done. No fairy tales involved.
We all make our own individual ways through the life we are given.
Semper Fi, Lee.
Being Always Faithful never ends no matter how much time goes by since time of actual service.
If I choose to show respect to these young soldiers, and I do, it represents no one else but myself and my upbringing.
You do you in your own way, and it is just as valid and deserving of respect, as anyone else.
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ligui
Senior Nomad
Posts: 893
Registered: 2-9-2008
Location: Fraser co.
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Mood: love Baja !
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Will put surf hat ! 
I show them the same respect every time. Have had some great times talking with the soldiers while going thru the check points. Mostly young kids away
from there homes serving their country.
They enjoy the speaking with Americans and have a lot of interest in our travels. Part of Viva Baja !
I love Mexico and people
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lencho
Nomad
Posts: 105
Registered: 1-16-2005
Location: Tan lejos de Dios y tan cerca de EU
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Mood: Somnoliento
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| Quote: Originally posted by ligui | Mostly young kids away from there homes serving their country.
They enjoy the speaking with Americans and have a lot of interest in our travels. |
And vice-versa! Those troops are one of the more interesting facets of the Peninsula. Detailed to the Baja after growing up in some remote Chiapas
village, the experiential gap between them and us Gringos crusing up to a checkpoint driving unimaginable wealth...
I don't recall ever having lost stuff at checkpoints. I do occasionally give them things: AA flashlight batteries are ALWAYS appreciated.
Bribe? Depends on context.
Is it a bribe if there's no intention of influencing the recipiant? Simple compañerismo? 
"I can normally tell how intelligent a man is, by how stupid he thinks I
am."
"...they were careful of their demeanor that they not be thought to have opinions on what they heard for like most men skilled at their work they
were scornful of any least suggestion of knowing anything not learned at first hand."
Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses
"Be kind, be patient, help others." -- Isabel Allende
"My gas stove identifies as electric." Anonymous
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3621
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: Originally posted by surfhat | Lee, we all have had our own personal experiences in Baja over the decades.
What appears as a fantasy to some is in fact quite true for others.
|
Clearly you've had positive experiences at checkpoints and that's an exception. I venture most people (majority) have neutral to negative
experiences.
When I'm at the SI checkpoint, there are 3-4 soldiers inspecting. One will talk with me and try to distract me while the others search my car.
Opportunists will steal valuables. I have a list of things that have ''disappeared'' from my car. Respect? Good moods shared by all? Not
really.
I carry nothing in my glove box or center console. Papers mostly, nothing of value. Everything is hidden well in the car or on me. I don't
believe every soldier is dishonest and a thief. But I know they are there and, to me, anything of value that can be stolen while I'm distracted,
WILL BE STOLEN.
Your first post comes across as fantasy. Right up with those who say Baja is safe, nothing to fear. Or those who say Baja is too dangerous to
visit based on what they read online.
Fantasy works until it doesn't work. Reality is there whether you recognize it or not.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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JDCanuck
Super Nomad
Posts: 2458
Registered: 2-22-2020
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I'm looking forward to the time when those young men seeking respect and perhaps even some fear of what they can do if challenged draw them into the
newly formed National Guard instead of the Cartels that previously drew them to join to gain respect.
I think the 25 who just gave their lives to protect us may start a new trend. Who knows? It worked up here. All it takes is support from the broad
public instead of mistrust.
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2356
Registered: 4-23-2006
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I find it just darling when folks who never served remind us their patriotic credentials by telling us about a relative who did.
I didn't realize those credits were transferable.
Semper Fi? Leave that to those who earned it.
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surabi
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8938
Registered: 5-6-2016
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| Quote: Originally posted by Lee |
Clearly you've had positive experiences at checkpoints and that's an exception. I venture most people (majority) have neutral to negative
experiences.
|
Not sure why you would assume this. Having driven the length of the Baja several times, as well as down the west coast of the mainland, my experience
is the same as surfhat's, lencho's, and ligui's. I have never been hassled at checkpoints, the soldiers have always been polite, and while I have had
my vehicle inspected, I have never had them steal or plant anything.
[Edited on 3-3-2026 by surabi]
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3621
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: Originally posted by surabi | | Quote: Originally posted by Lee |
Clearly you've had positive experiences at checkpoints and that's an exception. I venture most people (majority) have neutral to negative
experiences.
|
Not sure why you would assume this. Having driven the length of the Baja several times, as well as down the west coast of the mainland, my experience
is the same as surfhat's, lencho's, and ligui's. I have never been hassled at checkpoints, the soldiers have always been polite, and while I have had
my vehicle inspected, I have never had them steal or plant anything.
[Edited on 3-3-2026 by surabi] |
My assumption is based on the numerous inspections many here have commented on.
SI checkpoint has a bad reputation. Anyone driving through once or twice a year is not the example I'm writing about. Negative doesn't happen
everyday, or for weeks. But it happens and if it's negative, it's probably SI.
Anyone thinking otherwise, is out of touch. Fine with me.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3621
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Well written article and everyone should read it. Those I've passed it on to agree.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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surabi
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8938
Registered: 5-6-2016
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Thanks, Lee. I was wondering if anyone had bothered to read it.
My 21 year old granddaughter is currently living through the scenario described, which is not exclusive to events in Mexico.
She has been living and working in Dubai for the past two years. There was a drone strike a block from the hotel where she works 2 days ago.
Management was MIA- no communications or protocols conveyed to staff, just told to show up for work as if everything was normal. Freaked out hotel
guests asking my granddaughter, as concierge, if the airport is open, if there will be a shortage of food, etc.,etc.- questions she can't answer, as
nothing had been conveyed to staff.
She finally wrote a letter to the HR dept., saying that management needed to talk to staff, tell them what plans, if any, there were for evacuation if
necessary, if staff would be looked after and so on. Following that, meetings and communications and protocols were finally rolled out to staff.
But it shouldn't have required a letter from a 21 year old staff member for management to consider their staff as just as important, if not more so,
than their hotel guests.
[Edited on 3-3-2026 by surabi]
[Edited on 3-3-2026 by surabi]
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surabi
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8938
Registered: 5-6-2016
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Well, one thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to online reports, regardless of the topic, it is people who have had an issue or negative
experience who tend to post about it. Meanwhile, there are millions of people who had no problems, but don't bother posting to say that.
If you were to read Airbnb hosting forums, you would think that the majority of Airbnb guests are horror shows who ignore house rules, sneak in extra
guests and pets, steal and damage things, and leave the place filthy. Because when those things do happen, hosts post looking for advice, or just to
vent. Meanwhile, the majority of guests are perfectly fine, friendly and respectful, but hosts don't post online to say that. They are just going
along running their business and dealing with guests without any major problems, so feel no need to post about it.
None of this is to say your own personal experiences don't reflect your reality, and indeed there can be certain checkpoints which tend to be more
problematic than others, just pointing out that assuming the majority of people experience the same problems we do, based on anecdoctal personal
experiences we read, is not very scientific.
[Edited on 3-3-2026 by surabi]
[Edited on 3-3-2026 by surabi]
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3621
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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The author, Fowler, is gifted. Didn't understand what I was reading and had to read it a second time. My wife, a retired attorney, understood
the writing and sent the article to a couple friends. I sent it to 2 friends.
Also liked the direction he was going with Black History.
Thx for posting it.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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surabi
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8938
Registered: 5-6-2016
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Yes, he has a lot of good, well-written stuff on his substack.
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