WordPress still not letting me put pictures up.
Putting wedding reception photos on hold meanwhile (obviously), so let’s talk about some Cancun news!
Recently, I came across this article online:
Follow the Money: Why the US Mainstream Media has Mexico Underseige
It basically talks about how the media in the United States has been really bashing Mexico over the last few years, trying to make it sound like some hellish, lawless country overrun by narcos. Many suspect that it’s because the US sees Mexico as a threat financially, since many baby boomers are starting to retire there and buy vacation properties, which causes lots and lots of money to leave the United States.
Here’s the Mexico I see:
In Cancun, I see tons of economic growth, including better movie theaters than I’ve ever seen in the States, successful high-end department stores, beautiful malls popping up all over the city, unique restaurants opening every week, and nightclubs that fill up with local youth every Friday and Saturday.
In five years, I have never seen anyone with a weapon in Cancun (except law enforcement), I’ve never seen a dead body, I don’t know a single person who has been kidnapped, I’ve never seen drugs of any kind, and I have never been the victim of an attack on the street.
Even in Juarez, supposedly one of Mexico’s most dangerous border towns, I know quite a few people my age who I’ve met through exchange programs at my university. I once asked some of the girls if they ever felt in danger there. They said that they would never go out alone at night (but you shouldn’t do that anywhere, as far as I know), but they’ve never been the victim of any sort of attack or kidnapping. They go to school, hang out with friends, spend time with family, and just go about life in general with no problems whatsoever.
The fact of the matter is, Mexico is doing great economically and 99% of the people living here never see or hear a thing about the drug war going on.
I have never seen such things in Veracruz either. I’ve had to counter the exaggerated media portrayal to several friends and family NOB. Note to those in the US: Don’t believe anything you see on the News about Mexico! Read the blogs instead for the truth.
I sure am getting tired of all the Mexico bashing in the foreign press!
This is one of the reasons why I love your blog. You put México and Cancún in such a good image for people outside the country. For other people in the States to hear it from an american girl living here, makes all the difference. And you know how important that is, since the truth gets twisted a lot.
So thanks!
I’m happy to read this. I know Mexico gets a bad rap, but I personally have never experienced anything like that on vacation. Although my girlfriends wallet and purse was stolen from the beach at our wedding, but it was a crime of opportunity. Could’ve happened anywhere!
I hate when the media reports bad things about Cancun. In my 27 years years of traveling there, I have NEVER had anything bad happen. Things happen everywhere. Be careful. Heck I live in the suburbs of Detroit .. I’m scared living here!
Leah – I always feel awful when family/friends read bad things about Mexico.
Ashlie – Agreed!!
Nena – You’re so sweet! glad I made some sort of difference in the world
Nikki – So many people don’t seem to realize those kinds of things can happen anywhere! Sorry about your friend’s stuff, though.
K – I think I’m going to start a “Get K to Move to Cancun, Already” campaign!!
Mexico gets SO MUCH bad press over here people think the place is full of kidnapping drugdealers. I still really want to go to Punta Cana!! I believe you! I think Mexico sounds incredible!!
Viva Mexico!
I won’t go into major details, but here in Reynosa some of the bad press is true. I do know of 2 kidnappings personally… one ending with a fellow teacher escaping and the other is a student’s mother who is still missing after being taken from a hotel room in Monterrey last April. There is no known reason why she was targeted. I’ve personally have heard the gun battles 3 times. On one occasion I did see a couple dead bodies on the street. The only thing I can say is this is a border city in the midst of a huge drug war. I feel safer when I go to Mexico City.
I would not drive in Mexico. Take a bus. Also, vacation spots like Cancun is nothing like Reynosa so go and have fun.
Reynosa, living here is nothing close to Cancun….it’s pretty amazing what we see and hear here. Were living history in this town. Just today about 30 min ago…..balacera. Were used to it!
But cancun….i want to come visit soon!
I’m so using this article for this week’s Cozumel 4 You.
Go for it! I thought it was such a great article… really put everything clearly into perspective
Rita and Amanda: I’ve definitely heard about lots of issues in Reynosa, especially on blogs. (Sorry if I forgot to mention it here) I think that city is definitely a difficult place to live even though it’s not in the news as much as other cities, and I really respect you both for sticking it out there. Hopefully Reynosa will see more peaceful days in its near future.
If either of you ever want to visit Cancun, aqui tienen su casa!
I’m in San Diego and we definitely hear all the time how dangerous TJ is… stats like 1 in 6 tourists are attacked and all sorts of things.
Most of my trips to Mexico have been touristy — love Cancun and Play del Carmen — but I have been to TJ before and never felt threatened.
We felt totally safe the entire time we were in MX. Some of our friends and family were concerned about our safety, but we weren’t. The media is so extremist and fear mongering. It drives me crazy.
I am so happy to see this!
The media has made the whole country of Mexico seem so bad when it’s only a few spots. It’s like telling someone not to go to the states because there are shootings in Washington DC!
I just spent a month in Cabo and can tell you I felt safer there than both of my US homes (New York City and Houston).