Hi all, I have not posted here for long, even though I follow irregularly (and I am impressed by V ), because I think I had nothing very helpful to say, especially when I read "why do we live in Cancun". I would say "why can't I stand Cancun anymore" after 10 years. In short: corruption (from Transito to notaries, going through all the administrations etc...), scams, lies, harassment, and I am not talking about sexual, which is a delito here, but not the other forms (well... not sure it changes a thing). And some talked about that, so enough of it. The wonderful weather and my beach are not enough now to level my perspective. I would like to add that I have lived 10 years in Africa (Zaire and Ivory Coast, not the safest countries in the world, that I loved though) and I have never experienced anything close to this, they come far behind Mexico, which is, after all, the second country for corruption in the world. I just spent 3 months in France, how relaxing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol: even though it is far from perfect, I am just back, the problems and stress didn't wait, and it is too bad, because I met some of my friends and they are great. Too sad, but too much is too much :cry: As soon as I sell my apartments I am on my way (not sure where yet) But back to the topic: I got visitors last night. At 1 am, my alarm went off. I went out of my bedroom, bare hands (and bare feet... too bad, it seems to be the most efficient way ), scared to death, and I found the double door between my apartment and my studio wide open (which triggered the alarm). They entered by the balcony from the beach. Didn't steal anything in the studio (not much), nor in the apartment where everything is packed and ready to leave Mexico, but I fear for my life, I saw nobody, don't even know if they were sexy LOL. I have never been too concerned about that, but with all I hear everywhere around, would anyone know where I could get something to defend myself. Not too dangerous to use so I don't harm myself :lol: but enough to "impress" (hmmm...) a thief? I would really appreciate it. Thanks Good luck to all of you who still find Cancun a Paradise. What I said earlier is not my definition, but that depends much on many other things (if you have a lot of money among others). In all honesty, I must say that even with little money I lived "a gusto" for many years and had many interesting experiences.
PARIS! Ah, Paris, I'd put up with the weather there for the pleasure of living in that city. Sorry to hear about your recent scare. That would have had my pulse racing, too. We all know something worse than just a scare can happen, any time. Do what you can to prevent someone else from getting in; or, your most recent visitor pulling a repeat performance. Good luck with you house sale, and move. As for "weaponry," I can't imagine anything more than pepper spray would be the right balance between effectiveness, and doing something you'd regret having done, later. I hear it's quite effective, when you can manage to point it towards the perpetrator, and not at yourself! V.
Sorry to hear about your trouble, and I hope you feel better once things settle down... Never underestimate the deterrent power of a dog..even a little one.. otherwise pepperspray is the best option.. but be sure to get the big can like the security guards carry as those little "keychain" ones are about useless and require expert aim. Any security supply store, (where they sell the uniforms and stuff) will have the larger cans, should cost around 200 pesos "SabreRed" is the best one if you can find it. There is a little "army" style shop in the original Soriana by the bathrooms. You'll want to test fire it to know how it works, just make sure you do so outside and that the wind wont blow it back on you... the good ones will shoot about 7 or 8 feet in a straight line.
That must be scary--too bad it happened to you. I was robbed several times years ago and it always made me feel really "yucky"--for a lot of reasons. On another note, we seem to have the same tastes. If I didn't live in Cancun, my second choice would be Paris! And along with V, I would even put up with the weather for the pleasure. Hope things work out for you.
In lieu of pepper spray a good 9-iron or Louisville slugger can help. As can a hockey stick if you can find one (Better reach). Good luck and stay safe!
Thank you!!!!!!!!!! First, even if it is a pain.... I will close my anticyclonic shutters, but the gardener told me this morning they tried to force one of my neighbors' (but he lives downstairs, easier). And I will get this spray, and not manana :wink: , I prefer that than a stick, could be dangerous for ME. I will make sure I point it the right way, although at 1 am hmmm... I mentioned this event because I know some (or many) of you have had the same experience recently, I feel part of the club. And it is like "Welcome back to Cancun, Jeanine!!!". I have been robbed once here many years ago, and once in Paris, but I was not at home, much less scary. In Africa also, mostly by the gardener, the chauffeur, or the "boy", but those are rather anecdotes. It is not the reason why I leave. Life, it wouldn't be easy for me to have a dog with the life I have (and now I am in camping) although I know it is a good option... if they don't poison him! Jim, V, think twice before talking about Paris. I love it, it is my home, but life there is very very stressful. People are always tired. I love going on "vacation" to see my physicians, take care of my apartment, for food, culture, of course shopping, and.. men whom I find very attractive, but I wouldn't live there anymore on a permanent basis. And about the weather, is it more like New York, and I read this morning that they could run out of electricity AT THE STRONGEST OF THE WINTER :evil: Grrrrrrrrrrrrr............ Better Cancun!!! I know it is hard to find one's perfect island. What I would love is to find another Toronto, with 40 or 50 degrees more, or where it would always be from June to August. sigh... I loved what-they-call stress there, and the atmosphere. Ok, enough for today, I make up for the last 6 months :lol:
I am really sorry to hear about your break in- it is scary and such an invasion ! I hope you find your dream place soon- the world is too vast and beautiful to stay in one place. Good luck Tracey x
Yes, for good or ill: "wherever you go, there you are" (anon) and "Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” Ralph W. Emereson
Lots of places suck to live in. And lots of places suck for certain people at certain times. It's important not to beat yourself up for not being happy in a place. Much better to put your energy into finding the better place (says she who doesn't take her own advice). The people I know in or from Toronto seem to have a really crummy time with the weather there. In Cancun we find fault with the crime, corruption and the shallowness that comes with a tourist-driven economy. Jeanine, I'm sorry to hear you've had security issues. Maybe you need a CD of loud barking dog noises that you can play at full volume? Or what about an alarm system? One friend here installed fake-but-real-looking cameras all around the outside of the house, that stopped the trouble. Personally adopting a gaggle of street dogs has worked for me. Anytime some creep comes down the street I let the dogs out. And the younger one, the puppy, she's a real bitch in the best sense of the word. Barks at everything. Cancunscorpio, You are not alone. We are all in this together.
