Mexico Danger!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I live near the border. What is happening in border towns like Juarez (across from El Paso, where I grew up) honestly sounds more like scenes from "The Untouchables"...that old TV series. It's more like warfare. The Mexican Mafia isn't a joke, and things are very bad over there. The point is, in Chicago (or any other big US city...not picking on chicaqgo!) you go to the "tourist" spots and are relatively safe. You MAY get your pocket picked, but you won't likely be sprayed with machine gun fire. Your car MAY be broken in to while you are eating, but there's no bomb in it. There is crime in ANY major city (and smaller ones?) esp here in the USA...we are kind of used to it. AND there have always been those similar areas in cities south of the border that you avoided because they weren't safe, just like here in the USA.. in other words, neighborhoods you avoid. NOW in many Mexican cities, no where is safe, and many times tourists are targeted. That's the difference. It isn't the "common" violence we have unfortunately gotten used to...it's been kicked up several notches. It's not safe in the daytime; it's not safe in a group; it's not safe for the police; it's just not safe in many areas. Sad, but true. It'll pass but until it does, it's best to avoid the areas.

Edited March 22, 2009 by RestlessMonkey

[Brandy~ 2]

My issue with this isn't the fact that there was violence or that violence COULD happen to anyone it's the poster themselves.

I am sure someone out there has been mugged or robbed going or leaving a doctors appt before in either the US or other parts of the world though.

My ISSUE is the annonymous posting. There's too many issues with paid to post people running around. Maybe a US doctor has hired someone to run around putting fear in LBT patients about Mexico... who knows.

Honestly what mexico doctor is going to cross the border and cause harm to a patient for saying they were assaulted in their country? No reason to try to be so discreet if you're not going back..

[TSB 1]

With 20 years of internet experience, I tend to doubt things like this when they make up a different ID to tell the story. Do they think Mexican bandits read this forum?

Why would someone do this? Because they have something to lose by people going to Mexico perhaps? I see it all the time on many forums. Ever notice the tricks spammers use to sound legit and to get you to pass on their message? First there is the supposed need to post with a new ID and the need to tell us, they are a legitimate poster here. I just don't buy it. By the way, I have 2 million dollars stuck in Nigeria and I need your help getting it out.

Except for in this instance, anyone who listens to the news knows this is a real concern. I wondered about those bandsters that go to Mexico for surgery when I heard this reported yet again this morning on NPR. If I were exploring the possibility of surgery in another country, these are facts that would definitley weigh on my decisions.

[kgloverii 0]

Here's the deal.... I had my band in MX. And I REALLY LIKED the experience I had while there. HOWEVER, things ARE different there right now, and I would NOT be going to TJ right now. Some cities are safer than others... and we cannot lump them all together. Just do your research and be prepared.

[DannyLu 0]

I feel bad that this happened to someone.

I'm not sure which clinic you went to but I can say that the OCC is a great place to get a lap band.

I just got back from there a few days ago and unless I had left the hotel on my own there was NEVER a time that I was on the streets in Tijuana. Either the clinic or the Mariott shuttled me everywhere I needed to go. There was a girl in there while I was in the waiting room who needed to get an X ray done at the hospital and the OCC shuttle took her there and brought her back.

I don't think Tijuana is safe in general but the clinic and the Mariott are very safe. The clinic is across the street from the police station and they have big glass doors that they only unlock when they see who is coming in. The windows are barred as well.

The mariott has AT LEAST 4 men standing at the door at all times.

My experience was GREAT but like I say I would never ever have left either the clinic or the hospital.

My friend and I spent the third day (was to be at the Mariott) in San Diego (paid for our own room) and it was sooo worth it. We were able to get out walking around and sight seeing in safety. I definatly recommend doing that to anyone going to the OCC. The OCC said that I could call anytime around the clock if I was having troubles and they would come and get me, even in San Diego.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I don't know if any of you read this, but per an (online) article I saw in the New York Times, our govt is sending national guard to border towns because of violence in Mexico. I guess he (Pres. Obama) mentioned it in his speech tonight (which i did not see; I was in school). Anyway...take care crossing the border. Unless we have federal troops in downtown Boston or Oklahoma City, what's happening to our Southern Neighbor is a whole different type of violence. Please be prudent and remember the drug dealers causing this ruckus won't think "OH that's a van of american tourists....don't mess with them". I don't know exactly WHAT drug dealers think, but I doubt it would be that.