It seems the post I was responding to has been removed. But here is my reply. What I detest most is when regurgitation of death and mayhem is thrown out irresponsibly making a new onlooker feel that to get from the border to his/her destination, he/she must maneuver through cataclysmic warfare trenches of to get there…….unreal.. *********
I had a similar ¨unreal¨ feeling when I read the account of one forum member´s recent annual trek south when he decided to use the new Arco Norte instead of his usual coast route in order to avoid the perils of traversing the backroads of Michoacán. I thought it may have been he was just curious about how that new route felt to drive or tired of the tedium of his usual route and didn´t mind following the trend to sensationalize a bit to justify doing something different.
It could be that some of our forum members and seasoned ex-pats really are concerned and justifiably taking extreme precautions in these turbulent times. And it has occurred to me it is my relative naivete of having been here less than half a decade that I am taking unnecessary risks by venturing out my front door. Worse, that I continue throwing caution to the wind and continue taking my monthly excursions to Pátzcuaro and points beyond.
I recently made a trip out to the coast, and now in retrospect see the danger I could have faced if things had turned out differently. I realize how close I came to being ambushed and shudder now to reflect back on what could have occurred if I had been less lucky. I was travelling with a friend out on the coast highway of Michoacán several miles north of Playa Azul when I slowed for a tope as I was approaching a small coastal pueblo. All of a sudden a rope was pulled up blocking my escape, and was then approached by two youths who wanted my money. I could see other people along side of the road watching all this and it appeared they were in on it also, and at that time I realized there were too many of them for us to overpower if it came to that.
Thinking quickly, I reached into my pocket and extracted 10 pesos and quickly surrendered it to these two youths who were at this time at the window of my vehicle. I handed over my change, seeing the people gathered at the side of the road and what appeared to be ribbons and balloons, but knowing what I know now, ever the wiser, could have been disembodied heads held together by a bloody rope, but I care not reflect back on this incident. Perhaps by sheer luck the two ten-year-old girls smiled at me and said ¨gracias¨ then lowered the rope and let me be on my way. It could have been a lot worse.
(This post was edited by Peter on Feb 8, 2010, 3:51 PM)
Edit Log:
Post edited by Peter
(Veteran) on Feb 8, 2010, 3:51 PM
Forums Index
Search Posts
Who's Online
Log In or Sign Up
