Going to Mexico with my lady

[GoodOlBoy]

You two should meet in North Korea. They've lost two of their finest international journalists recently and I'm sure they'll welcome you both with open arms.

Sorry Sculpto a 

Yeah BillyB, I don't know what was worse for those 2 poor women:

7 years hard labor in a North Korean Work Camp....or......Trapped 10,000 feet in the air with "Slick Willie" Clinton on a "private" jet airplane (nowhere to run and nowhere to hide) for 18 hours?   

Me personally....I would take the 7 years rather than have to do the "Monica".  :evil:


GOB


BTW....Don't worry Sculpto, "A" will get her Visa. 

[GQBlues]

Sculpto-

I hope she gets the visa without a hitch and enable you two to enjoy your planned rendezvous. Monterey isn't too hard to trek to get to Juarez if everything work-out and you both want to prolong your wild and crazy adventure. Then it's just a matter of a 3 day car ride back to the Bay Area.

Not much advice from me except for . Not so much for you but for her. Make darn sure you tell her that.

One of the great lines in that movie...."Resting fathers give me your strenght!"

oh btw

Your point about Mexico's apparent growing economy, no offense if I take the opinions of the millions of illegal aliens inside our borders over yours.

Have a great time, man.

[Gator]

I don't think I've ever read a trip report where a  guy takes his RW anywhere in Latin America besides Cuba.

Sorry, I did not report our trips to Mexico, Costa Rica and Cuba.  Because we were already committed, there was no emotional dilemma to report.  It would only have been photos of tropical forests, monkeys, butterflies, toucans, Mayan history, etc.  I did report a trip to Dominican Republic as have some other men.

[BillyB]

  I did report a trip to Dominican Republic as have some other men.

Well if it was from you, Gator, I've probably read it but I can't remember. What we have here is brain failure on my part.

[Sculpto]

The girl has arrived in Moscow.. tomorrow her morning we will do the online app for the visa and then just have to wait a couple of days.  Fingers crossed!  (American superstition)

[UTRO]

The girl has arrived in Moscow.. tomorrow her morning we will do the online app for the visa and then just have to wait a couple of days.  Fingers crossed!  (American superstition)

Are you in Moscow too Sculpto?

[Sculpto]

wish I was.. no, stuck here doing chiropractic and working out at the gym recuperating still from the car crash.

[Sculpto]

oh my god!  Gotta love it!  Mexico...

so, "A" and I spent and hour filling out the form on the embassy web site.. and click.. ERROR!  try again.. ERROR!  ugh!!!  so, I call the embassy in Moscow.. spoke with a very nice woman named Olga.. Mexicana that speaks fluent Russian.  She said it should work, try with internet explorer instead of google chrome.. ok, that could be the problem.. So, I try again.. spend the next two hours trying again and again.. same error message!!!!

So, I call Olga back.. she says she doesn't know what is wrong because it works for her.  (Of course) but "A" can come in to the embassy and fill out the paper in person.  I have her on the phone so I ask her about all the paper we have organized.  WAY WAY WAY over did it!  Me and my details!  But, no harm in being extra prepared.

So, I tell "A", you have to go in Embassy and do paper.  "Shto??? no, I afraid"  Haha, sorry but there is no other way!  So, she agrees to do it tomorrow or Tuesday.  She is going to Sochi with "M" Tuesday night so as long as she does it before she leaves its ok and then she can go back to the Embassy when she gets back and get same day service.. fingerprint.. passport copies and present the rest of her paperwork...

so.. we will have to wait a couple more weeks for the final answer.

God bless Meshican CHAOS!  I love it.. (most of the time) and I hope they NEVER get organized.

[Link]

Sculpto-

I hope she gets the visa without a hitch and enable you two to enjoy your planned rendezvous. Monterey isn't too hard to trek to get to Juarez if everything work-out and you both want to prolong your wild and crazy adventure. Then it's just a matter of a 3 day car ride back to the Bay Area.

Not much advice from me except for . Not so much for you but for her. Make darn sure you tell her that.

One of the great lines in that movie...."Resting fathers give me your strenght!"

oh btw

Your point about Mexico's apparent growing economy, no offense if I take the opinions of the millions of illegal aliens inside our borders over yours.

Have a great time, man.

About those illegal aliens basically they are victims of an unfair and oppresive caste system present not only in Mexico but in the whole Latin America. Basically it means the whiter you are the upper you are in the socioeconomic ladder, that's why white (or predominantly white) Mexicans stay in Mexico and the illegals ones in the US are non white because that people had zero economic and social chances here. It's really sad but even if Mexico were a first world country the illegal immigration of people from lower classes (non white) will continue unless the US close the border,(which will benefit Mexico in the longterm by the way) because the Mexican goverment vows to whiten the population and get rid of the unwanted by sending people from Amerindian ancestry to the US instead of giving them education and economic opportunities. And before someone says something the Mexican goverment do not represent the overwhelming majority of Mexicans (about 70 % do not feel represented) so the Mexican goverment is one thing, and the Mexican people is another.

[Link]

Sorry Sculpto a  

Yeah BillyB, I don't know what was worse for those 2 poor women:

7 years hard labor in a North Korean Work Camp....or......Trapped 10,000 feet in the air with "Slick Willie" Clinton on a "private" jet airplane (nowhere to run and nowhere to hide) for 18 hours?  

Me personally....I would take the 7 years rather than have to do the "Monica".  :evil:


GOB


BTW....Don't worry Sculpto, "A" will get her Visa.  

Indeed, do not worry, A will get her Visa easily. Now is very easy for Russians to get a 5- 10 years Visa for Mexico, they apply and the same day if everything is correct they will get their Visa:

http://www.aeroflotbonus.ru/Board.aspx?ob_no=271364&Tmpl=Thread&BoardId=271375&ThreadId=141726

My understanding is that Mexican emigration vows to eliminate the visa requirement in the near future for Russians but because they can’t do it overnight (politics?) they just simplified the procedure for now.

[Link]

And stay away from Ciudad Juarez, in Mexico is the equivalent to Chechnya in Russia.

[Link]

all the ducks are in a row so assuming Mexico is serious about promoting tourism as they say they are it should be no problem.  I suspect given the recent fighting with Canada over visas there is probably going to be an even more strong push for places like Russia.  They are even opening the process up now for the Chinese and Indians.  I suspect if it becomes a visa free option there may be a lot of guys meeting their ladies in Cancun in the future. 

Frankly, if things keep going the way they are in the states.. Mexico becomes an ever more desirable choice.  Wages for professions are inching closer and closer to what they are here.. yet.. the cost of living is still way less than half.  Doctors are setting up shop because the court system doesn't allow the ridiculous punitive malpractice suits.  Anyone manufacturing things is better off there than in the US.  Real estate is still cheap.  The government builds huge numbers of low cost houses for first time home buyers in an attempt to eliminate the stigma and reality of shanty towns.  For the first time since I have been going there it seems the Government is actually getting ahead of the shanty town builders.  Infrasructure investment is huge!  It will still take another generation or more to erase all the bad stuff and poverty that still exists.. but.. its not the same Mexico it was 20+ years ago when I first went, not even close. 

Quite true, the Mexico is looking to diversify it's Tourism, this note was before the Visa procedure was simplyfied, now let's wait to see the results of the new measure:

Agilización de visado incrementa turismo ruso hacia México y Cancún

http://cancun.travel/es/2008/10/09/agilizacion-de-visado-incrementa-turismo-ruso-hacia-mexico-y-cancun/

[Sculpto]

Link.. thanks for the additional info and especially the sociological comments about Mexican society.  I am sure most people on this board are pretty unaware of racial and socioeconomic dynamics in Mexico as evidenced by many of the comments that have been made in the past.

I would only add that things are slowly changing for the better.  The change is coming south to north, but, there is a greater awareness of social justice than there ever has been during my 25 years of experience in Mexico.

Now.. here is the latest update in the visa saga...

Today "A" went to the Embassy to bypass the problems we encountered trying to use the online form.

Evidently the word is out in Russia that Mexico is making the visa process easier and the Embassy was swamped.

The lady I spoke with on the phone who was so helpful, Olga, was not able to come to the front desk and help.  Reasons unclear.

The woman at the front desk was not helpful at all.  Her Russian is very poor and she insisted that the site works fine and refused to give "A" a paper form to fill out, which, Olga had told me would not be a problem.

"A" had her laptop with her and apparently there is wifi in the building, so, she tried to fill out the form while in the Embassy using the online system.  She got the same error message I got and showed it to the women at the desk.  Only then was she informed the form must be filled out in ten minutes or less or the system times out.  FREAKING BRILLIANT!  The form is not short and the hardest part of it are the fields for the places a person plans to visit in Mexico.  Each location must be noted with the dates.  Well, if all a person had to do was type in the locations and dates it would be no problem, but, that option is not given.  There is a drop down menu with the names of the places to be visited.  Are they alphabetical?  NO.  Are the ordered by each state?  NO  There are literally thousands of place names on the drop down menu and they follow no logical order nor is there any way to search the place names.  I was never able to find Mexico City when I was doing the form for her.  LOL.  Really smart! 

So, "A" got pretty upset.  She spent over 2 hours at the Embassy and was not able to get her forms filled out.  The only positive is she was able to show the brainiacs that there is a flaw in the online forms.  She snapped at me a little too so I tried to calm her down.  All this took place between 1am-3am California time.  Finally she had to leave the Embassy to run errands before getting on the train to Sochi.

So, I called her this morning as soon as I woke up to find out how it ended up.  She did not complete the form.  She explained that the embassy was very crowded and the woman at the desk was mean.  She also mentioned that she felt she was not being treated well because she is a young pretty single female.  Then, she apologized for snapping at me and suggested we try the form again once she arrives in Sochi.  She did confirm that all her papers are in order and as long as she can get the stupid form filled out as the dumbass at the desk is demanding she will in fact be awarded the visa.

I am debating with myself whether or not to write to the Consul of Tourism at the Embassy.  I already had a polite exchange with him simply requesting information.  On the one hand, if I complain it might not be taken in context, but, on the other hand, the complaints are legit and the feedback might help them improve the system going forward.

Anyway, it does look like we will get the visa without too much more hassle. 

[GQBlues]

About those illegal aliens basically they are victims of an unfair and oppresive caste system present not only in Mexico but in the whole Latin America. Basically it means the whiter you are the upper you are in the socioeconomic ladder, that's why white (or predominantly white) Mexicans stay in Mexico and the illegals ones in the US are non white because that people had zero economic and social chances here. It's really sad but even if Mexico were a first world country the illegal immigration of people from lower classes (non white) will continue unless the US close the border,

Well FWIW, that's pretty much true for most countries colonized and influenced by other countries before. The Meztiza dominance is as true in Mexico as it is in the Philippines, or even in Brazil. The nobility syndrome pervades in these countries even today. Heck, you can say the same about USA if you really give it a thought. 'Whites' have been fairly dominant and have successfully presided governance over the indigenous population we know as native Americans. South Africa, same thing these are as true for Mayans as it is for the Moros, Caiapos, Incas, Australian aborigines, the Magyars, etc...

The US can close the border all they want, but if the Mexican government doesn't participate in policing the borders (why should they? they receive millions, if not billions of US currency every year from these people) it won't amount to much.

Anyway, good luck on your trip, Sculpto.

[Sculpto]

Well FWIW, that's pretty much true for most countries colonized and influenced by other countries before. The Meztiza dominance is as true in Mexico as it is in the Philippines, or even in Brazil. The nobility syndrome pervades in these countries even today. Heck, you can say the same about USA if you really give it a thought. 'Whites' have been fairly dominant and have successfully presided governance over the indigenous population we know as native Americans. South Africa, same thing these are as true for Mayans as it is for the Moros, Caiapos, Incas, Australian aborigines, the Magyars, etc...

The US can close the border all they want, but if the Mexican government doesn't participate in policing the borders (why should they? they receive millions, if not billions of US currency every year from these people) it won't amount to much.

Anyway, good luck on your trip, Sculpto.

Closing the border at the easy crossings will just push the desperate to take even more dangerous routes of crossing.  It will not solve the problem.  And believe me, the problem impacts bthe other side of the border in ways that very few on this side are even aware of.

The bigger issue these days in the border region is the drug war violence that is increasingly out of control.  Supply and demand.. as long as there is demand for cocaine and crank there will be some scum bag willing to smuggle it across the border and bribe or kill to make it happen.  Legalization, taxation and controlled distribution would solve that problem in a heartbeat.  Why are people so afraid of cocaine when alcohol is so much more damaging?

Anyway.. i am really troubled with the question of whether or not to reach out to the Consul.  I don't want to make waves that then result in something punitive occurring.. but.. I dont want to frustrate "A" or myself trying to make a flawed technology work. 

[Link]

I am debating with myself whether or not to write to the Consul of Tourism at the Embassy.  I already had a polite exchange with him simply requesting information.  On the one hand, if I complain it might not be taken in context, but, on the other hand, the complaints are legit and the feedback might help them improve the system going forward.

Anyway, it does look like we will get the visa without too much more hassle.  

I think you should write to the Consul of Tourism at the Embassy in order to improve the situation and speed up the process, do not let it go. I will write to them as well, looks like some feedback is needed in this case.

[Aloe]

wow that sounds like an amazing trip, do write a trip report with pics when you are back
one question from reading your posts, since its so hard to fill in locations you wish to visit, why not just specify 1 or 2 of the main locations and be done with it? Book a hotel for entire trip there, print the booking, then cancel it ?

[Sculpto]

I think you should write to the Consul of Tourism at the Embassy in order to improve the situation and speed up the process, do not let it go. I will write to them as well, looks like some feedback is needed in this case.

Link, If I was a Mexican citizen I would feel more empowered to complain.  I think I will call tonight though and see if I can get some help.

[Link]

Link, If I was a Mexican citizen I would feel more empowered to complain.  I think I will call tonight though and see if I can get some help.

I will call them and make a complain errr say it in a more diplomatic way ... let's say a suggestion. I would feel more empowered to do it if I had a Russian fiancée applying for a Visa right now, but I will see what can I do. Anyway why you do not consider Aloe suggestion? The Visa doesn't have the names of the cities she will visit and unlike in Russia the chances that someone asks for her Passport and Visa here are very tiny.

If everything goes fine with this measure Mexican immigration shall remove Visas for Russians as far as I know.

[Sculpto]

yeah I will do that.. just have one location and if they ask for more details she has all the info.

thanks for making the call.  maybe we should discuss in PM?

[Sculpto]

small update worth reporting..

After "A" encountered problems in Moscow opening a new bank account to show solvency to get the Mexico Visa.. (no Moscow propiska) I gave my bank a call to see how they could help.

This looks like it will work out perfectly.  I opened a new account in both "A"s name and mine and deposited the amount required by the Embassy.. (2500).  I am faxing a certified bank document for her proof. 

So, what is cool about it is I retain control over my money, do not have make her go and change rubles to dollars nor have her carry a large amount of cash on her first international journey.  We also avoid the non wells fargo bank transaction fees as well as the lower exchange rate given by the bank.  Should work out perfectly.  She will not have access to this account until I give her a card when we are in Mex.

Under 3 weeks now.. I am starting to go crazy.. seeing ghosts and other oddities everywhere I look.  Even a bit of paranoia.. its been 7 months since we have seen each other.. I don't know if we would survive much longer if we didn't get to spend some quality time together now. 

[Sculpto]

Well.. Mexico has fallen apart.  Not for a lack of effort on our part thats for sure.  The Embassy would not accept "A"s name on my account.  Foolish.. because.. instead of spending my money in Mexico..

We are going to Thailand after all..

So.. this will be a pretty amazing adventure.. I haven't been there.. don't speak a word of Thai.. 30 days though so it will be awesome!

Chiang Mai.. here we come!

[Aloe]

30 days in thailand, im so jealous !!!!! its amazing there, i love it, you will have a great time

[Gator]

Well.. Mexico has fallen apart.  Not for a lack of effort on our part thats for sure. 

As I told you in the beginning, it is difficult to meet a RW in Mexico.  My wife and I travelled to many countries before we married.  Mexico is the only destination where we encountered a visa problem.  She eventually made it; however, the delay in getting her visa required us to rebook our flights.

[Gator]

I have travelled to Thailand 6 times in my life (60s, 70s, and 4x with RWs recently).  Went through Chiang Mai twice.

Inexpensive yet cozy inn in Chiang Mai near the river and Riverside restaurant (50% Thai, 100% fun with live music, frequented by some expats so you can get a feel for what's happening).

http://www.baanorapin.com/

You need to get away from Chiang Mai after 2-3 days.  This inn is rustic on accommodations but superb on food.   It is owned by young UK-Thai couple, and the Thai wife was a chef in London known for Euro-Thai fusion).  Delightful to have a fine meal after trekking all day.  The Brit husband takes you to caves, mountain tops, etc. that avoid the crowds of "roundeyes." 

http://www.chiangdao.com/

NOTE:   Unless the rules have changed, the visa on arrival for Russians is good for only 15 days.  Hence, you will need to exit Thailand and return.  I went to Laos.  I recommend it.  Delightful, time travel (no sleaze compared to Thailand as women talking to foreigners are arrested by police). Bring cash (no ATMs).  Buy some hand woven silk and resell in SF to pay for your trip. Unlike Thai where Mountain tribe children run to you to beg, in Laos the mountain tribe kids run from you.  This travel outfit arranged everything in northern Laos:

http://www.laos-adventures.com/travels/index.asp?

Compared to Cambodia, Laos is 10x better, yet no Angor Wat.

I don't know how you can take your FSU woman to Thailand and not go to the beaches.  SW Thailand is best for beaches.  If interested, let me know.