Baja Wheels

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Dec 19, 08 12:36 pm

The last time I just haggled them down from $50. I got stopped for "running a stop sign" I just said "how much". I said I got $20 and if that's not enough just give me the ticket.

$20 later I was on my way...

Only to get handcuffed on the side of the road for drug possession later the same day...which took $200 to get out of.....

Only to get robbed at gun and knife point on the beach and watch my GF almost raped later the same night... but I already told that story.

good times can be had in Baja if you really try Confused

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Yeah, get a money belt for the real stuff. Make the "dummy" wallet look real with some old non-activated credit cards, library card, an old key, but only carry a few one dollar bills, a five dollar bill, and 20 or 30 Pesos, along with a travelers check for $50. Keep a record of the number of the travelers check and the old credit cards. I always carried an old expired drivers license, but laminating a copy sounds good.

In there with the bills, I always carried a little brochure that the Mexico tourism bureau put out, and I had it opened to the page that showed a drawing of a policeman holding out his hand and the tourist's hand full of money. There was a big red circle around the 2 hands, and a slash across the circle. When I opened my wallet in the cop's face, the picture (advising the traveler that bribes were illegal...which they are) in the brochure... and this was the first thing he would see, as I held it there for a few seconds and pretend-fumbled with the wallet.

This kind of an approach works to discourage the cop from harassing you when you both know that you did nothing wrong...but if you did break the law and the cop gets serious, then, you will have to move to Plan B, and start to negotiate, or try to call their bluff and follow them down to "El Centro". Try to keep smiling and chalk it up to a "cross-cultural" experience.

If you go to the station, DON'T accuse the cop of asking for money on the road. In Mexico, bribes are illegal and you will be defaming a law officer, by accusing him of this in front of a magistrate or police department personnel...then you will be in trouble, since the officer will deny your accusation. Also, the fine for your offense (like running the stop sign, which is hidden behind a bush) will probably be lower than the fine the cop's clip-board paper shows. The fine shown to you on the clip-board will be brought to you by the second cop (the one who speaks English), after the first cop comes to your car, and speaks only Spanish. The first cop's job is to worry you and get the idea across that you are really in trouble. He is also checking you out, to see if you speak Spanish or are experienced in this sort of thing. If you act relaxed, and not in a hurry, and friendly, and willing to go downtown to pay your fine, the cop will often back off and send you on your way. The cops don't want to waste time taking you down to the station, for a minor charge. They want to stay at their spot on the highway, collecting easy money.

Don't harden your heart too much to these guys. Remember that most of them are good hearted under-paid people, just trying to collect enough money to feed their families. They have to buy their own bullets and uniforms, as I understand it. Also, they will be out of a job, as soon as the head of the rival family in that town, gets re-elected...and the cop jobs go to the new relatives.

It's just too bad that all the retired people and Yuppie windsurfer/ surfers got intimidated by the cops in the '80s, and started to pay the asked for amounts. The accepted fee was $5 for many years, and then, the new road came in...and the rest is history.

Anyway, remember..."the worst trips make the best stories".

poncex · Since 28 Nov 2007 2 Posts New Member

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward