Ok, so…

I get this question more than anything, more than how good are the tacos?!!?! HAHA! ” Do you feel safe?!” Yes we feel safe, we actually feel safer here than many parts of Phoenix, or other areas in the U.S. We have never once felt anything but welcomed and safe here in Peñasco. We are not unaware of the issues surrounding certain areas in Mexico and cartels however, I am not so convinced after living here that its any different of worse than then things we see happen in the U.S.

When there was an incident involving the mistaken identity of tourist south of Brownsville and I got all kinds of questions about if I felt safe here where I am because that was being plastered all over the news in the U.S. Yes, I felt safe, let’s put some perspective around what happened. The incident that occurred would be like me saying well I am not going to Tucson because someone was murdered in Seattle, that is the geographical comparison..

I compare living in Mexico like living/visiting anywhere you just have to be aware of your surroundings.

The sad part to be completely honest is that the only time I feel unsafe is when I am driving back to the states and have to deal with U.S. drivers.. they are passing in no passing zones, on hills, speed like crazy! Sadly, many Americans think once you cross the border they no longer have to follow any type of traffic laws, we have started planing any trips when we know there will be minimal drivers, and not on any holidays!

Many other people are worried about police and the military transports you see when driving through Mexico. The military transports do not worry me they are all usually heavily armed but the guys are so friendly and nice, it’s never been a concern. Then I hear stores of police shaking people down, telling them to pay on the spot, etc. I have never experienced this, ever, however I know people say it happens, so. The things to remember : 1. speeds on are in KPH, not MPH. 2. Stop at any stop sign including homemade. 3. When you are stopped, be kind, courteous and insist on paying your fine at the police station…. PERIOD. Negotiating and paying the officer is only making the issue worse, and even the head of the police want the bribes to stop.

I will say as someone who makes many many many trips back and forth to the states over the last 2.5yrs.. When I drive through the areas where people complain about being “shaken down” for speeding, not stopping at signs.. etc. What I see happening around me is Americans speeding, passing me with on coming traffic in town, rolling through stop signs, etc.. So, I cannot be to sure that reports of wrongful stops are not grossly over stated! I wish I knew the people I see stopped, their FB names so when I see them post about being wrongfully stopped, I could say, no I saw you speeding, rolling through stop sign and really being unsafe! (haha)