The police stop

We haven’t had any issues at all since arriving in Mexico. Not a speeding fine or any kind of random pullover. It has been almost completely a breeze.

However, there was one incident yesterday which is worthy of a comment.

Travelling in Mexico involves many topes, sleeping policeman. Some are gentle and some are mountainous. They are worth keeping an eye out for. We have hit a few at speed, they often aren’t signposted, and I would imagine that there is quite a business to be had selling replacement suspension systems here. They are an effective deterrent to speed though. Situated at the beginning, middle and end of any small township. And whilst you are at such a reduced speed there are often purveyors of all kinds of treats taking advantage of the almost static traffic. Mangoes, juices, kites?, bracelets, water and all kinds of succulent treats for just a few pesos.

And there are also departmental crossings from one region to another where there are always police and heavily armed military waiting to randomly pull you over to check your baggage.

It was at one of these yesterday that we were pulled over. Two armed officers asked us very nicely if they could have a look at what we were carrying. Now, a semi automatic machine gun is encouragement enough for me so we willingly obliged. One of the officers asked Daniela some random questions, asked where we were from, chewed the fat, so to speak, whilst I was left with the other, more threatening guy, to open our bags and my pockets. He asked a few things which I understood. Like Are you carrying any marijuana? To which I replied that I was too old for that. Then he looked at all the change and notes I had taken out of my pocket and asked a question I didn’t understand. I asked him to repeat it but still, no comprende. Eventually I asked Daniela to intervene and as it turned out he was asking me for a donation for a couple of cold drinks for him and his colleagues.

Now, imagine if this happened in England. Firstly, it wouldn’t. Secondly the officer in question would be arrested, hung drawn and quartered and dishonourably discharged without a pension. So you can imagine how surprised I was that this kind of thing should happen. We, luckily, or cunningly, made a decision not to carry every bit of cash in one place. So I only had a little in my pocket. I obliged the request with 100 pesos, £4, and immediately we were told we could be on our way.

Now, I am not complaining. The police here are paid very little, it is a second world country, and minor tips like this are par for the course. It is just the total contrast of it all. Can you imagine? If every time you were pulled over by the police, you could pay them off with £4 to avoid receiving a fine, 3 points on your license and an enforced driver training program? Great value for money if you ask me.

I love this country!