First of all I wish to extend to the People of Mexico my heartfelt condolences about the loss of more than three hundred Mexican citizens. It may be wise to keep in mind that The World Trade Center was just that. America's losses of course were by far the greatest but outrage in other countries over the loss of countrymen is no less virulent.
For decades Mexico has operated hundreds of Military and Police roadside checkpoints that are designed to intercept firearms, drugs, and fugitives. Our neighbor has endured countless small political uprisings, most recently the widely publicized Zapatista protests of the mid nineties. Few Americans are aware of the fact that in all of the din over events in Chiapas, Mexico's most southerly state, not one single tourist suffered so much as a scratch. Now the "retenes" as roadside checks are called, are stopping and questioning anyone who fits the profile of a middle eastern terrorist (traveling solo or with a group of cohorts, or without a wife or family). Mexico's screening process is undoubtedly stricter and more widespread than anything that we could operate (and still be constitutional) in the USA.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States, Mexico has closed it doors to visitors from most Middle-Eastern countries. As was the case before September 11, only citizens of Canada and The United States are accorded the convenience of a "Tourist Card". Citizens of other countries must obtain a "Visitor's Visa" to enter Mexico, and apparently the clampdown is extremely thorough".
Simply put, RV'ers will see nothing out of the ordinary when they visit this fall and winter. Although I would be loathe to ask that similar checkpoints be established in the United States, somehow I feel comforted when I encounter a roadside reten in Mexico these days. Mexico's Armed Forces, and Police networks have already categorically reaffirmed that a significant part of their mission is to protect tourists.
On a harder and more dispassionate note, the subject of "probability" should be discussed. To be blunt about it, what are the odds that Americans in Mexico will be targeted by terrorists? My answer is that aside from the thorough inspections occurring everywhere from airports and ports of entry to dirt tracks in the wilderness, even the largest most densely populated RV Park, or hotel just isn't an inviting target. Just after the attack, Federal policemen rushed to Guadalajara's Lake Chapala suburb in order to reassure the American enclave that Mexico will not tolerate insecurity. The residents were both curious and a bit touched by this special handling of their safety. Of course nothing happened but the point was well made.
For obvious reasons tourism all over the world has just about crashed. But for our neighbor, a severe shock to tourism there is going to cause an indescribable amount of suffering and even hunger. RVers tend to spread their vacation money wide and far throughout Mexican communities. Mom and pop grocery stores and restaurants sometimes literally 'bank' their survival on flocks of winter tourists. If tourism should dry up, there is no relief, no unemployment, no food stamps -- only hungry children to feed.
If I may ask a favor of RV'ers out there who are planning to visit Mexico this season: If you have reservations somewhere, a telephone number, address or email site, sit down and contact these folks and let them know that you are coming. Here in Tecate at a nearby RV Park, I observed the owner of the park take a telephone call in which a considerate customer called and informed him that they were coming "as usual". When he hung up the phone he closed his eyes and whispered a silent prayer.
The subject of "staying in touch" should be covered as well. Many destination RV parks have hookups that include TV cable and CNN plus other cable news stations in English. Cities, towns, and even villages now have legions of Internet Cafes (Puerto Vallarta claimed to have over 80), plus an English print newspaper called "The Times" from Mexico City will keep even a news hound satisfied. Camaraderie has always been strong in Mexico, but now more than ever "Fellow Canadians and Fellow Americans" will brighten your day. If you are fortunate enough to watch a newscast dealing with "The World At War With Terrorism" with one or more Mexicans, it is likely that you will observe unmistakable signs that Mexico is in this together with their American and Canadian friends (and the rest of the civilized world).
Travel in peace friends,