Entry into Mexico: UPDATES

[MrDingleDangle]

how long did you have to prepare for the trip?

considering the preperations it seemed to go better then i would have thought...

sux about the bag though, is the bag u picked up the exact same as yours?

 

[Rogue]

Originally posted by: MrDingleDangle
how long did you have to prepare for the trip?

considering the preperations it seemed to go better then i would have thought...

sux about the bag though, is the bag u picked up the exact same as yours?

Because of our work schedules, we had very little time to get ready. The last time we traveled internationally, we were both kids and our father's were in the Army, so we never bothered to get new passports, though we will have them soon. I suppose we are rookies when it comes to international travel, however, we've learned some hard lessons.

Yes, the suitcases were identical. That won't happen again either. I will ensure that all my luggage is unmistakably mine from now on.

 

[preslove]

Dude, you have security clearance? I got around just fine in some of the poorest parts of Mexico when I was 14 with some HIPPIES!

 

[Farmer]

I see, so the immigration official was willing to bribe you to grant you entrance? I would definitely like to go to Mexico!

Seriously, travelling w/o a passport is risky.

 

[Rogue]

Originally posted by: preslove
Dude, you have security clearance? I got around just fine in some of the poorest parts of Mexico when I was 14 with some HIPPIES!

Ah, more sarcastic wit and "I'm smarter than you attitude," from someone. Yes I have a security clearance, what does that have to do with anything? I assure you that I can survive anywhere you can't, so if you're insinuating that you're somehow superior to my survival abilities based on this post, you're sadly mistaken. BTW, a security clearance has nothing to do with survival in any way, so why would you post such an assinine comment in the first place?

Clearance not withstanding and wife and kid not attached, I would get around Mexico just fine on far less. You'd be surprised how much a kid and a wife add to the complexity of a situation.

 

[mrrman]

basically I wouldnt go into any country without my passport...I guess a lesson learned here...you may as well apply for a passport even if you do not intent to use it...

 

[lukatmyshu]

Umm ... if you re-read my post you'll notice that I said I thought I had my birth-certificate (which is a perfectly good substitute for a passport if you're going to mexico). My parents had said "yes .... we have it" so I didn't bother getting alternate arrangements. Even without that I was able to enter the country with absolutely no problems (I spoke to the guy for less than a minute). My post was merely an illustration of how EASY it is to get into this country with no documentation. (BTW I'm Indian .... so I'm really dark. No one was mistaking me for a good ol' boy from Kentucky)

 

[Mo0o]

The mexican official bribed you? As in he paid you money?

 

[Rogue]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
The mexican official bribed you? As in he paid you money?

bribe

n : payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment [syn: payoff] v : make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence; "This judge can be bought"

Why would he offer to pay me?

 

[Rudee]

Originally posted by: Rogue

Originally posted by: Mo0o
The mexican official bribed you? As in he paid you money?

bribe

n : payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment [syn: payoff] v : make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence; "This judge can be bought"

Why would he offer to pay me?

He's pointing out your incorrect way of explaining the situation. You said "Mexican immigration official attempted to bribe me to permit entry" which is incorrect. He did not attempt to bribe you. What the official did was attempt to coerce a bribe from you.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You=travel n00b. Get a passport.

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing

Originally posted by: Rogue

Originally posted by: rickn
get a copy of your birth certificate and get a passport. the 3 items you listed wouldn't even get you past a border check, although a drivers license probably would

Yes, but how would I acquire a copy of my birth certificate in the next 24 hours? Same with passport? Also, I did cross the border in a vehicle about a year and a half ago and had only my military ID and driver's license with me to get back into the US. Customs gave no problems whatsoever. Is flying that much different?

Hugely different. For some reason airport customs are far more strict than land crossings.

And seaports too. Friend of mine took 1-way ferry to Canada and was expecting to take 1-way ferry back but they wouldn't let him back on the Canada side. He made things worse by getting all pissy and almost getting arrested...ended up hitching a ride across the border with some friendly Canadians!