Keyed in Sonoyta

de nada señor Navigator...

Thank you señor silversand very good information, let us hope it is a very isolated incident and the authorities in Sonoyta take notice, tourism in Mexico is a big business, they need to maintain it healthy.

navegator

I would encourage your friend to write a letter to the Secretaria de Turismo

...you can send an e-mail directly to Jefe del Departamento de Cultura Turistica for Sonora, Sergio Fernando Martinez Galvez, at:

smartinez@sonoraturismo.gob.mx

....attach a photo, and your story.

That sounds more plausible, in South America, I do not recall what city the kids would ask for money from motorists at the stop light, when none was given the kids would tear of the cars mirror, pretty soon there were a lot of cars with no mirrors, later the drivers started running the kids over with the vehicles, we do not want this to start.

I would encourage your friend to write a letter to the Secretaria de Turismo and to the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores, the letters can be in English, higher educated Mexicans learn English in school, I taught English for three years at the
Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Zacatenco.

Let the authorities know about the incident, so that awareness of this type of vandalism is mitigated immediately.

navegator

The Red Cross stop sign in Sonoyta was being used by some local kids with tin cans. No words were exchanged, they just did a California stop and kept on going. As they passed them the kids acted upset that they didn't pay them. They didn't see them doing it and the damage was discovered shortly after. The assumption is that one of those kids did it using the tin can and the damage is consistent with that theory.

What we need to find out is if this was a single incident or is it going to be a new trend, did this happen during the day or at night.

What provoked the incident?

Was it the occupants of the RV the cause?

Was this the perpetrators initiative or reaction?

Was this a random act of vandalism?

Has any one else experienced this vandalism?

How many vandals where there?

Where the vandals really poor or better off?

Teens can some times do stupid things like this, knowing that a big foreign RV will not be able to turn around fast enough to pursue them, the destitute also are aware of this.

Lots of questions that need to be answered, so that if if this becomes a trend we as tourist can work with the local authorities to mitigate the damage.

navegator

Tony brings up an interesting point. Why should Mexico be any different than other countries? I have read that 10% of those who get help from various charities in Canada are fakes. So what if the Sally Ann or the Red Cross is helping some who do not deserve help. The important thing is that the 90% are getting food and shelter. Do you think that all welfare recipients are deserving? Of course not. But focus on the positive. To carry this further we live in a society where many take when they are not worthy. Think of the crooked Senators in Canada. Same holds true for the USA. Probably every country in the world. Why should the poor be any different?

Moisheh

When we lived in China it was common knowledge that there were gangs who managed disable people and beggars and bussed them in every day and then took most of the daily takings. Be surprised if that didn't happen in other countries too.
Guess it could be argued that at least they had food and shelter and in practice it really isn't any different to charities collecting money, of which only 5 or 10% gets to the claimed recipients.

navegator wrote:
I would like the friend of Señor hypoxia tell us what exactly led to his friends RV getting keyed, that way other travelers will know what not to do or say.

That will be a lot more help full to all that travel through Sonoyta, were they kids or grown ups, one person or several, any input will be welcomed.

Did they ask for money, or want to clean the vehicle with a Diesel soaked rag full of sand as they do in Tijuana, and really scratch the cars!

Or someone was really rude and nasty?

navegator

I have those same questions and will try to find out.

I would like the friend of Señor hypoxia tell us what exactly led to his friends RV getting keyed, that way other travelers will know what not to do or say.

That will be a lot more help full to all that travel through Sonoyta, were they kids or grown ups, one person or several, any input will be welcomed.

Did they ask for money, or want to clean the vehicle with a Diesel soaked rag full of sand as they do in Tijuana, and really scratch the cars!

Or someone was really rude and nasty?

navegator