OK.. Here's Another One

A small group of riders were on their way to tour considerable miles in
Mexico..

Just before we crossed the border.. one of the riders surprised us all by
announcing that he was carrying a firearm.. In spite of all the warnings
about the consequences of unauthorized possession of a gun, he'd brought
along a small calibre pistol ..

Being past the point of no return, and no obvious place to leave the weapon,
I insisted that he unload the pistol and keep the clip with ammunition..
Then I took possession of the weapon.. Reasoning being that, at least it
would be better for the authorities to find it on me since I could at least
speak the language..

We travelled deep into the country and spent several days, enjoying the
hospitality, sights and the great motorcycling highways .. On our return
trip, which was not the same as the one we'd gone down so far on, we were
preparing to cross one of the state lines.. A military checkpoint was set up
there and when we approached it, the soldier waved us to the inspection
area.. Sure enough.. you guessed it.. The pistol was discovered in my
saddlebag..

The gunlaws in Mexico are explicit and the penalties for an unauthorized
weapon is severe.. Found out later, we are talking ten to twenty five years
incarceration..

The soldiers who discovered the gun, didn't have any discretion in a matter
like this.. Their own instructions are explicit.. The one caught with an
unauthorized weapon go to jail.. In our case .. a small group like ours.. we
all go to jail.. It became too apparent that we had a critical situation
facing us.. My exchanges with the soldiers was very reserved and conducted
with mutual respect ..

Then . When the soldiers were debating how best to transport us to the
nearest detention facility, which was some distant away .. I requested that
a senior officer talk to me.. The first officer that came out, respectfully
listened to me and then advised that he didn't have authority to deviate
from the field orders..Again .. I requested to speak with a more senior
officer.. When this one came on the scene.. again.. he listened to me
politely while he carefully looked our group over.. My sincerity and his
courteous attention, finally caused him to determine that he didn't want to
arrest us.. His words were "your problem has just gone away".. We repacked
those motorcycles and after thanking him, we continued our trip.. without
furthur inconvenience..

I shudder to think what could have occurred if that gun had been discovered
on my good friend's motorcycle.. Not being able to speak the language and
his unfamiliarity with the laws of that country would have more than likely
resulted in all of us going to jail.. We were very lucky ..

The point is.. in spite of the rigid laws in Mexico.. there is reasonable
resolutions that can be applied in the prosecution of those laws.. Those
authorities down there .. have no interest in prosecuting anyone who isn't a
criminal.. especially a visitor from another country.. From the outset of
that encounter, we were scrutinized by everyone on that scene.. Any act or
conduct that demonstrated aggression or obnoxious behavior would have
destroyed any chance of fair treatment..In their own country, those
authorities are not required to tolerate any adverse behavior from me nor
anyone else It has been my contention for many years they will respond in
kind, when they are encountered with respect and reasonable attitudes.. In
this case, as in many others.. I was once again proven right.. Regards

Bill Walker
Irving

 

Awwww.. Gawdammit.. That response was much too quick.. Sheesh.. your timing
is terrible.. I was expecting there'd be at least four horror stories to
counteract on this one.. LOL.. Since the gun laws of Mexico had been
demonstrated by a specific link referral, I just didn't include the vitamin
part of the encounter.. That soldier that discovered the vitamins in your
saddle bags was definitely on a roll until one of the senior guys told him
what they were... <grin>

Yeah.. those were nice enough guys, I expect.. There was no abuse,
disrespect or mistreatment of any kind from them.. Just doing their job..
hehehehe... First time I'd ever seen that friend of mine with so little to
say... <chuckle> Regards

Bill Walker
Irving

 

<chuckle> Airborne Harley Dressers are awesome sights, I can assure you..
Can you say Topes and Vibradores.. Those things can sure get your
attention.. Dang.. just the memory causes discomfort.. lol... Regards

Bill Walker
Irving

 

You got to Mexico, bud. That's where they were making all that tequila. They
don't make that vile stuff in El Paso.

 

Speaking of tequila production, I came upon this most excellent site all
about it:
http://www.ianchadwick.com/tequila/

 

You missed it? Part 7 of 14 (LOL)
By the way, the proper order of the traditional method of drinking tequila
is salt-tequila-lime: lick, sip, bite.
But sip the premium tequila neat - slowly and gently, to enjoy the aroma,
the body and the taste. Taste it as you would a fine wine. Life is really
too short to miss out on enjoying it properly.