Date:         Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:39:18 +0000
Reply-To:     Trvlr2001@COMCAST.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "John C..." <Trvlr2001@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: (LVC)Fw: MSNBC.com Article: Tourists shun crime-hit Mexico
              beaches

Truth of the matter is;
Based on what I Read in Any Citys Papers and,
what is happening in this ole world;;;
I should be afraid to leave my house.
"Aint Gonna Live That Way "
YMMV!
JC...

-------------- Original message --------------
From: Mark Drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>

> Both articles are from the same source. The tiny "newspaper" owned by
> this woman is controversial for it's editorial slant and isn't anything
> like what we would consider a fair or balanced news source. These Baja
> incidents did occur but the notion that drug lords are over taking the
> place is hyperbole. Baja is a very large place and these incidents are
> from a very small part of it that I have avoided for many years, other
> than sometimes driving through it on my way to real Baja.
>
> I have been to Baja over 100 times including several times in the last
> few months and after these stories appeared. I camp on beaches a lot
> with my wife. Often times we are alone or nearly so. I would not do this
> if I felt it was too risky but we are careful about where we spend our
> time. I also would not do it on the northern Pacific shore or in the
> touristy Tijuana/Ensenada areas. The rare carjackings in the north are
> targeting expensive vehicles that are nothing like Vanagons and Westys.
>
> I know lots of people are staying away from Baja out of fear that they
> could be victims. There is real danger there just like there is
> everywhere. The danger is mostly in the border areas and not where most
> of us would camp in any case. Driving in daylight hours has been
> recommended for years and still is the best idea. Once you get past the
> northern border zone there is close to 1000 miles of mostly beauty on
> the way to Cabo San Lucas and there are many beaches where I would be
> happy to camp without fear.
>
> Mark
>
> Rob wrote:
> > At 1/13/2008 04:06 PM, Bernie wrote:
> >> Interesting article by an American woman who lives and writes on the
> >> Baja,
> >> she should know what is happening.
> >>
> >>
> >> http://www.mexidata.info/id1634.html
> >
> > That was a good article and it leads to others.
> >
> > http://www.gringogazettenorth.com/v6e20_09.php
> > "Whatever the case, it is clear that these masked commandos are
> > taking over Baja."
> >
> > War Lords controlling Baja? Cartels ruling the lawless lands south of
> > the Border?
> > It sounds silly sitting here on this January afternoon but a VW
> > camping trip to Baja is one of those things I've always wanted to
> > do. Not sure if I want to deal with War Lords to do it. Maybe it's
> > just hype? , maybe I'm just getting old?
> > Maybe I should save this for when I'm ready to head for Baja?
> >
> >
> >
> > Rob
> >
> > becida@comcast.net
> > Western Washington State, USA
> >