"Before we bomb someone, it is a good idea to try and meet them first..."
- Rick Steves, Travel Writer
This morning we awoke to this terrible story here locally.
"At Least 9 Members of Mormon Family in Mexico Are Killed in Ambush"
- New York Times
Here is the link - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/05/world/americas/mormons-mexico-attack.html
This is a horrible story that gives the details of an appalling crime. There is nothing I can say that will mitigate the atrocity of a mass murder, particularly of children. I in no way wish to excuse the murderers who committed this awful act and they should be brought to justice.
There, as there always is, the devil in the details. When we announced we were traveling to Mexico we were inundated with questions about safety here. It is true that Mexico has an alarming amount of drug violence and a substantial murder rate (22.7 per 100,000 people). It is more than the U.S. (4.7/100,000) but less than many other countries.
It is also true that we do not travel to sketchy parts of the country, we did not in Norway either, and take certain basic precautions.
See here - https://www.roadtobali.net/post/is-it-safe-thoughts-on-travel-safety
The reason for the violence? The United Nations reports - "Countries with the widest gaps between rich and poor are four times more likely to experience violent crimes than other countries."
What bothered me was this morning Fox news - which inexplicably is the only news station in
English here at the hotel - led with "Massacre in Mexico". They then went on to paint a narrative that fulfills the notion that Mexico and immigrants are to blame. The pictures splashed across the screens are of a lovely "white" family. What is not said that the vast majority of the victims of violence are local Mexicans.
"When will the U.S. stop sending $'s to our enemies, i.e. Mexico and others."
-- Donald Trump
As a result, the public is endlessly told tales of the evil of Mexico and how we must 'build a wall' which fuels the reason why we received so many warnings about coming. It lacks context. It also fuels nativism and, yes, racism. It's wrong. Mexico is not our enemy.
Are we really so superior?
Which brings us to the Circle K store. I was in search of a sim card for my phone. They are sold in convenience stores all over this huge city. I went into the store pictured above and met 'Veronica' the clerk. She spoke no English but wanted to help. I could not understand exactly what I was buying so she patiently closed her little store and walked me around the corner to a hotel bellman who spoke some English. She did not lock her store but only barred the entrance with a broom. Any one could have walked in and taken anything.
Eventually it became clear that we could not activate the sim card and I was ready to give up. I paid her for the chip and was prepared to go home.
She did not give up. She asked me to follow her. I was uncertain where we were going but felt carried along with the adventure. Once again, she blocked the entrance of her little store with only a broom handle and we proceeded to walk.
We walked for 6 blocks! Finally I figured it out. She was taking me the the TelMex store where they sell phones. There I was able to quickly resolve the issue. She asked me for nothing and took a substantial risk.
Would I have done the same?
As she turned to go I wanted to give her something for her trouble. She politely declined. I insisted and gave her the largest note I had, a $500 peso bill (About 26 dollars).
Then it happened. Unexpectedly she started to cry. I learned that is more money than she makes in several days. This morning when I went by the store she saw me and came out and hugged me.
What happened to those victims was terrible. We should mourn and we will. Hopefully the assailants will be caught. But do we need to "Go to War" as the President tweeted this morning? Is it important to say that the drugs that are causing so much trouble are purchased by Americans? Should we meet and talk and try to understand more?
I think so.
Travel changes you. The more people we meet the more we find people want the same things in life that we do.
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