Trouble in Mexico
Six years ago my then-boyfriend and I drove the
few hours from San Diego to Estero Beach, Mexico
for a few days at a volleyball tournament. One
morning he and I got into our bathing suits,
jumped in his truck and drove toward the beach.
He was hungry, saw a roadside taco stand, and got
out to have a snack. The tacos were so hot/spicy
that he reached into the cooler in the back of
his truck for a beer, then we sat on the side of
the dirt road while he ate.
The next thing I knew the police drove up,
grabbed him by the hair and the back of his
shorts and threw him sideways into their police
car, then sped away down the dirt road. I jumped
up just in time to see him throw his car keys out
the window, leapt into the truck and followed the
swirling dirt to the police station. We were out
in the middle of nowhere with just our
bathing suits on.
I was wearing my bikini top and shorts when I
walked into the police station to find out what
had happened to him. I knew from stories that if
I waited I might not see him again, so I didn't
delay to find clothing to cover myself. It
turned out that drinking alcoholic beverages on
the street in Mexico is prohibited. At the
police station there were 12 policemen and my
boyfriend in his shorts with handcuffs on. Our
mutual lack of each other's language became so
frustrating that I finally asked them if they
spoke French. This exasperated the head
commander and he unshackled my boyfriend and let
us go. I realize that they could have jailed him
for money, or worse things could have happened,
but I think we just caught them on a good day. I
also feel strongly that our safety was due to the
head commander's presence; if he had not been
there to temper the others we might not have been
so lucky.
They never did ask us for money, which is
typical. We were very lucky. I haven't been to
Mexico since, and don't expect to go again
anytime soon.
Thank you for the opportunity to share this
harrowing story. I enjoyed your story about the
Italian money in the passport. It seems that
miscommunication in foreign countries can
certainly lead to serious problems!
--Jolie
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