Skip this unless you are thinking of Mexico as a shelter. I went down there thinking I could get together with some local people who know primitive living skills, and find a warm location to settle in. It turns out that the damage from the Ugly American is pervasive, and unrepairable. The "screw the gringo" attitude is everywhere, but generally hidden, not easily seen until it's too late. The people seem warm, genuine, and then POW! It is VERY hard to judge character down there. Hope this will save somebody the hassles I went through.

-- David Hammer (davidwun@att.net), April 03, 1999

Answers

Another American learns the difference between reality and media "spin"...

-- NoFriendOfBill (NoFriendOfBill@NoFriendOfBill.com), April 03, 1999.

Not just Mexico, stay out of any country less prosperous than the USA. If things get rough your status as a rich foreigner will put a bulls-eye on your butt. (And it doesn't matter how poor you are - you'll still be a rich foreigner). In times of trouble there is no place like your home country, at least for those lucky enough to live in a country like ours.

-- Steve Hartzler (s.hartzler@usa.net), April 03, 1999.

Steve... I was going to say that you really missed David's point, until I realized that you really confirmed David's point.

-- PNG (png@gol.com), April 04, 1999.

Been there, done that! Mexico,Belize, Guatemala in 1980. I can't even imagine how much worse it would be 20 years later and after y2k. The people way out in the country were wonderful back then but you still have the governments to contend with. If you think you're losing your rights here, just try being a foreigner in a country with NO rights !

-- Sue (deco100@aol.com), April 04, 1999.