mwaites
NC
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Joined: 07/21/2006
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Could you travel in Mexico and manage getting gas & groceries?
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buldaawg
Dallas,Georgia
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Joined: 01/10/2005
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Yes, Many people speak English and with a Spanish dictionary you'll get along just fine.. Make sure to carry some cash to pay off the Police when they pull you over for missing that stop sign that wasnt there...
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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You'll be fine travelling through Mexico without speaking Spanish. However it is an easy language to learn and with a little effort you can be functional in a single winter. Have a pocket calculator so you can punch in numbers and hold it up to clerks etc. They do the same thing. Makes life easier all around.
I'm not certain bribing police is a good start in any country. Also not sure if there is a need at least in my limited experience in Mexico. Fines are not paid anywhere else than a police station. If a cop says otherwise take it downtown. Our experience with Mexican police to this point has been only good. I'm sure there are bad out there as well but we'll deal with that then.
JMHO
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wolfe10
Texas
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Agree with John. In 6 winters spent in Mexico-- all over the country, we have never been asked for nor paid one peso in bribes.
Also agree that you do not HAVE to know Spanish to enjoy Mexico-- same with any other foreign country. Sure speaking the language enhances the experience, but you can "visit" successfully without it.
What you DO have to have to visit ANY foreign country is an interest in new experiences and NOT to expect the same things you have at home. Again, this applies to all foreign travel.
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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mwaites wrote:Could you travel in Mexico and manage getting gas & groceries?
Si... There are more english speakers there than you think.
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geewiz
Canada & Mexico
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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The vast majority of Mexicans are friendly and helpful.
There are cultural differences though, and this forum is a good place to do some reading on other peoples experiences.
Do some searches in the RV in Mexico section for key words like "pemex" and "bribe"
Read many -- there are a wide variety of experiences and opinions.
This will be our 7th winter into Mexico and we enjoy it more every year.
Glen
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jimnbubba
Mesa AZ
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The mexicans that come here seem to get along just fine.
* This post was
edited 08/07/08 12:12pm by an administrator/moderator *
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bobofthenorth
Nipawin, SK
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You could probably travel in the U.S. without speaking any English and you could probably travel in Mexico without speaking any Spanish. But why would you? The travel experience in either country will be infinitely richer if you make an attempt to learn some of the local language. You don't have to be fluent but it seems to me that it would be common sense to learn a few words. Our experience has been that the Mexicans are much more welcoming when they see that you are trying to speak the local language.
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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We Have been visiting Mexico for 34 Years and I Hate to say it , but Our Spanish is really Poor!
As far as Bribing Police goes , that Story has been around since the beginning of Time! Our good friends Did get stung Once by a Rouge Cop Outside PV, but that was His Own Fault for driving like an Idiot!
We have only Ever been Asked for Money by the Police Once and That was for a donation to the Children's Christmas Party Fund! That is an Annual Charity Event for Underpriviledged Kids!
And Yes I did get a parking Ticket My fault Entirely!
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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My little story of the day. Yesterday I met an American woman who just moved to Saltillo with her husband (work for a year). She found me on my blog and we emailed for a week. She came to Mty for lunch. During our visit she said that after getting their permit and leaving the Aduana, they were stopped and paid a bribe of 800 pesos. I then told her never to give a person in uniform money. It's illegal, it's immoral and it could be dangerous.
So she asked what to do. I told her to keep copies of all her documents handy. When the transit policeman stops you, show him your license and hand him a copy. If you hand it over you may not get it back.
On her way back to Saltillo yesterday, she was stopped in Santa Catarina on the northside of Mty. She refused to give in to the cop and after the first few minutes she switched to English and he finally gave up and let her go.
Is my advice the best, probably not but I do know one thing. You don't have to give anybody any money. In fact, if you do it will never make it into the city coffers it will go into some snakes pocket.
The only person I would ever hand my license over to is a Federal de Camino or highway patrol. Other than that, I would insist they take me to the station to pay. On our July trip through the state we were never stopped once with the trailer. JMHO
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