In defense of Mexico City
A, who loves Mexico with its strengths and weaknesses, is already a little tired of hearing anathemas on insecurity in Mexico City. In a country in which, Always according to the lucid Enrique Krauze, the shooting was for centuries a way of doing politics, data on violent deaths and other crimes not do much for the rest of the world without fanfare reconcile an image of Mexico City. One need only do a simple Google search with the words "DF insecurity". Nearly three million tickets.
But is that reason enough for a tourist without anguish can not enjoy the many attractions of the city? I want to break a lance with these lines in favor of DF and, try, as far as possible, fears often unfounded scare. For years (I do not know if it is still well) Japan warned his countrymen of insecurity around the Madrid Puerta del Sol. I never felt unsafe in G, at any time of day or night. And in the dark years of terrorism of ETA, not so distant, a tourist surprised by an attack podria become home to a mistaken impression ("In Spain was shot dead in the streets ").
I want to break a lance with these lines in favor of the City and, try, as far as possible, fears often unfounded scare
I was some years ago in Mexico City, but then flew over the city and the tourist alike listened warnings, before boarding the plane, identical advice. One had the feeling of going to war. All these evil omens abocaban you almost to lock yourself in the hotel. Going out at night? No way! ¿Take a taxi? 'Ni occurs if you! To travel on the subway? ¡No seas foolish! Walking? After sunset? Not nearly!
We arrived late at night to Mexico City and before opening the bags went out to dinner. Nothing happened. Callejeamos by around Reform in search of a restaurant and only a gang of teenagers on a dark street startled Nativity scene, my wife, convinced they were trying to steal the neglect. I rather think that psychosis generated by the overabundance of insecurity alerts did his. And even if, What world city is a tourist safe from theft? I only have a knife in the neck once in my life and was in a central metro station Barcelona, Diagonal in the full light of day.
Almost abocaban you to lock yourself in the hotel: «¿Salir por la noche? No way! ¿Take a taxi? 'Ni occurs if you! To travel on the subway? ¡No seas foolish!»
We walked at night through the streets of Mexico City several days and never felt unsafe. Even tourist I exercised confident with my camera slung around the streets of downtown. And, course, I got on a "VW Beetle”, them popular model taxis Volkswagen beetle (about to disappear from the cityscape) against preventable you also like robberies and kidnappings mantra. I did not to hang any medal or to tempt fate. Had gone to the cenar Coyoacan and had to return to the center amidst a tremendous tormentone. There was no choice. Nothing happened and the race was much cheaper than on the way, in an immaculate hotel taxi.
During the stay in the DF, I just had an accident with a taxi driver, and was in official taxi stop CHAPTER (Central East Passenger Bus). We had arrived by night bus from Puebla and headed to the hotel. We pay the trip at the box office according to destination and we specified that the luggage was included, but upon arrival the driver was determined to charge extra for the bags. The amount was the least, but it was right and I just ask you to make a receipt could not dwell if not want to risk losing your license. He said goodbye to me with a friendly "Son of a bitch!”.
We walked at night through the streets of Mexico City several days, me subí en un «vocho» y viajé en el Metro y jamás me sentí inseguro
Nor it seemed appropriate to prevent Mexico City subway. The Suburban is always one of my weaknesses in any city that came. I keep thinking that a subway ride can teach more of their idiosyncrasy than a few museums. We address Popotla to see the sad night tree, where Hernán Cortés mourned his loss to the Aztecs. The car was crowded. No wonder that there is said that one does not know what a good massage until it goes to the subway in Mexico City. Feeling of insecurity? None. In fact, Internet now rummaging some data for this report read with satisfaction that the Mexico City metro has happened in just a few years of being one of the most insecure of the third world safer, surpassed only by those of Paris and Beijing. Surely, and then a ring of criminals and now the safest place on the planet.
It is enough to be cautious to enjoy, day and night, Mexico City safe from unnecessary fears and anxieties unfounded
The killings between narcos have worsened in recent months the image of insecurity that grips Mexico and clouded the future of its people. Many may replicarme with figures Falls. I'll go ahead: according to data from National Public Security System, recorded last May in Mexico City 3.341 robberies ( 2.030 of them bystanders); 544 vehicle thefts; 80 firearm injuries and 38 homicides. I do not mean frivolous: recent surveys among citizens about suggest that the wave of violence has led to 44% of citizens to stop going out at night and one in four not to take a taxi. These figures remain a drag on Mexico, determined to make the City a safe city in 2016, just around the corner. Crime and tourism as repel water and oil. The new president, Enrique Peña Nieto, knows, but regret that the image generated by the country abroad is "maybe worse" than the actual.
I apologize to those who can crumble the myth: I did I felt safe in the streets of the beloved and missed DF
Do not intend these lines instruct the temerity to all who have been fortunate to travel to Mexico City. Simply, and as the saying aptly Spanish, Fair story as I was in it (with the same law that applies to all those who shelled calamities and upheavals, I think undeserved, about Mexico City). I think you only have to be careful to enjoy, day and night, Mexico City safe from unnecessary fears and anxieties unfounded. I then at least I felt safe (I apologize to those who can crumble the myth) through the streets of the capital of Mexico, the beloved and missed DF.
Comments (3)
First Travel
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Now that Spain feel in their own flesh the spite of the bad (by erroneous, biased and, also negative) international image of it is given, is good to reflect on which we have (also) from other countries and / or cities, and Mexico (D.F.) is a good reference. Besides the figures should contextualize (not to minimize if not to understand them in their measure) not represent a safety hazard. You can enjoy, as you said Ricardo Coarasa of D.F.. and elsewhere in the country, Like other (Does everyone?) around the world, with balance and half a brain because otherwise, unless it is an obligation or duty travel, What do one there?
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Juan Antonio Portillo
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Unfortunately, Ricardo, ignorance from the absolute credibility of any information or rumors that reach us, without even analyze or question them, many people simply enriching experience of living a trip. Good article. A hug
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ricardo
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One hundred percent according to the two. Thank you both. Abz
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