Link or synopsis of how it ended badly?

One got a log with nails thrown under their tires and the locals hit their car with hammers. One got pulled out of the car and roughed up. I don't know how the other ended exactly. He said the local cops actually pulled him over, and they were "not nice".

Basically there's one roadblock but then tons of little partial roadblocks leading in both directions (shown below). So you might think you have a clear path to run the main one. But then further up the road they just block you and now you're in trouble.



Apparently these are common in Oaxaca and Chiapas as a means of protest and also basically an illegal toll, but not in most other parts of Mexico. I actually gave my guy a 500 peso note and he ran off and got my 400 peso change lol. He was super nice and apologetic about the whole thing.

Yeah I'm going to pass to ever going to most of Mexico that are non tourist.

It’s amazing here. Nothing like I thought it would be. People are almost always super friendly, polite, and trusting to a fault.

That roadblock is one of the only sketchy things I’ve seen in 2 months. It’s basically the whole town out there. They’re not trying to hurt anyone but if you run the roadblock and endanger people they get pissed. Just pay the 100 pesos and be on your way. At no time did I feel remotely threatened. Sometimes the roadblocks are set up by teachers pissed about their pay.

There are parts of Mexico where there’s cartel violence that you want to avoid. But this area isn’t one of them. And even the cartel areas I’ve met tons of other overlanders who’ve gone there with no problems.

I guess if more Americans knew what it was really like down here they’d turn every cool place into Cancun or Cabo. So maybe it’s for the better.

Thanks for clarifying. At first it sounded like the people trying to steal from passersby-ers under the threat of physical violence weren't super friendly, polite and trusting.

Yeah this is kind of what I was thinking. I also don't get the "protest" aspect of the roadblocks. What exactly are they protesting by extorting and assaulting tourists (or everyone)?

They're protesting not getting enough money for the govt for schools or public works or something. The rural/indigenous communities all think they get the shaft from the big cities. Same story all over the world.

I'm not really making a moral judgment on their roadblock, just saying I never felt threatened and for $5 I'm not going to fret about it or consider running it.

Like I said - I'm not going to judge a whole country on one rural community's roadblock when pretty much every other interaction I've had has ben great.

Every country is going to have the potential for various negative experiences - US included. The only way to avoid them is never travel.

Still sounds like the mafia to me. I guess they were protesting prohibition. I'd prefer Cancun or Cabo.

Why not just go to Florida if all you want to do is sit on a beach and get drunk with other Americans?

For me anyway the whole idea is to see the world and have an adventure.

Personally I have never gotten drunk and I'm not much for the beach either. If that's all those places offer I guess I'll just stay out of the country completely then, if they're the only safe places, as you're making it out to be.

I think you have a different idea of adventure than people who would prefer their adventures not include extortion by 'friendly' locals.

Most people who would do this trip in the first place would not rate the utility value of the rest of the trip so low that this incident would make the entire trip not worth it.

I've been to ~25 countries (some of which are poorer than mexico) and never felt in danger or been asked for money with an implied threat of violence if I don't give in so no I don't think it is the same story all over the world.

This doesn't sound like an isolated incident. According to you sometimes it is a whole town, other times it is teachers and sometimes it is just a cartel known for killing people by the dozens. I believe GOATrump refers to this place as a ****hole.

I’ve been to a bunch of countries as well, and the only one where a lone nut can leagally purchase an arsenal and now down 60 people is right here. I’m sure there are people terrified to come to America because of our insane gun laws.

Personally to me that roadblock was nothing, and 99% of the overlanders down here would agree.

Bahbah just seems like a racist pos from the few posts I've read of his.

Mexico's murders per capita is >3x than USA#1s so this may not be your best argument.

And how many of those are tourists just trying to watch a country music show?

Been in Mexico City for almost a week and can concur with suzzer. I haven't remotely felt threatened or unsafe, and have been walking around a ton during the day and at night. Most people are really friendly too. Also agree that it's great most Americans just stay in Cancun or Cabo, and the inland cities remain hidden gems.

And USA has 4 cities in the top 36 cities worldwide with highest murder rates (Baltimore, STL, NO, Detroit). So I guess be sure to never ever go to those cities again.

Cool theory. What part of my argument do you disagree with?

Do you disagree with me when I said people who threaten others with violence aren't super friendly, polite and trusting?

Or do you disagree with me for saying the 25ish countries I've been to aren't threatening people?

Or do you disagree with me for agreeing with suzzer when he said all times of people in mexico threaten people with violence?

Or was it calling mexico a ****hole because suzzer travels to the country and now thinks threats of violence are standard?

Mostly that last one for me. Hope that helps!

Why should we care what types of music the murdered people listen to or what they were doing when they were murdered. A murdered person is a murdered person.

Seriously, ******? It doesn't matter that being involved in the drug trade or other illegal activities enormously increases your chances of becoming a murder victim? Try actually thinking before posting.

Suzzer,

When did you start using the term overlander?

Also, what the hell is an overlander

Those who don't live in tunnels, under bridges, etc.

Overlander is most common term someone calls themself who drives the world in a car, RV, motorcycle, or I guess even bicycle. I started using it about 2 months ago.