Ole Mexico
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Cities such as Juarez, Nogales and Tijuana are plagued with almost daily aggression between drug gangs and Police. Tourists understandably do not want to be caught in the crossfire. The U.S. Department of State has issued strong warnings against several locations for annual college spring break trips to Mexico. “Know before you go!” is good advice.

Billy and I recently spent six months in Chapala, Mexico with one full month traveling by bus through Oaxaca state and 600 miles up the western coast. No doubt that what appears as naiveté bordering on simple mindedness has some of our readers scratching their heads.

Mr. De Becker takes the position that violence isn’t just ‘random’ and that clues and access to information which can prevent us from becoming a victim is available to us beforehand. He explains that caution is different than fear, with fear actually being a gift that can save our lives. Gut instinct is much different than an over-active imagination.

The information in this book is good, solid advice to use anywhere, including your own home town.

A very high percentage of victims of violence will admit that they knew ‘something wasn’t right’ or that they felt strangely before violence struck. They shushed themselves up and went ahead into the dangerous situation anyway. In other words, we as human animals 'know' but often don't take our warning signs seriously.

Distraction or desperation brings with it a high probability for trouble. Walk confidently and with a destination in mind. Give the impression of being self-possessed when you are traveling and walking around in unfamiliar locations.

Desperados don't want trouble, they want an easy take.

Common Sense Rules the Day

In most situations, using common sense is … well… common sense.

Keep a low profile, avoid being loud or argumentative, and if you meet friends at a bar, don’t get so looped that you can’t find your way back home. Too much alcohol consumption contributes to situations we call ’leaving your brains at the border.’ Keep a certain ’situational awareness’ about yourself at all times.

When street or beach vendors ask politely 'Where are you from? Where are you staying? Where did you have dinner?" realize that they want to know this information for a reason. Vendors have years of experience sizing up tourists in order to estimate what price they might be able to extract from you for their goods - they are not 'just being friendly'. When you divulge too much information about yourself, your whereabouts and what kind of money you may be carrying, you are clearly asking for trouble.

If you travel to Mexico dripping of jewels, yielding loads of cash, staying in high end resorts with a false sense of security, brandishing an attitude and generally not aware of the impression you are giving to poorer locals, you are setting yourself up to be a target for theft or worse.

Be willing to use all of your abilities -- the rational, conscious mind as well as the subconscious mind which picks up hundreds of clues and processes information more quickly than the rational mind is able to do.

Do not be taken in by a stranger in strange circumstances. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it’s probably a duck. Politely and quickly disengage yourself from the situation and get out of harm’s way.

Going to Mexico or not are two sides of the same coin. Some harbor angst about the Mexican side of the border and would never take the chance of visiting. Then there are those who gleefully trade their homes and the familiar surroundings in Canada or the US for a new lifestyle with tropical sunshine and warm breezes.

Whether you decide to go to Ole Mexico is up to you. But if you live too cautiously, you could miss out on life enhancing adventures, something we're not ready to give up.