<p>Came across this information online. Many young people are making spring and summer travel plans. The link below is just something to think about.</p>
<p>“Please use the information on this website to assist you in making an educated decision about whether Mexico, in its current state, is a good vacation choice. It is too late for Nolan, but it is not too late for you.”</p>
<p>SDSU student didn’t return after trip to Mexico this past weekend:</p>
<p>"A man who went to Rosarito to celebrate his birthday has not been seen or hear from since Saturday, his family and friends told NBC 7/39.</p>
<p>Samuel Goldberg, 21, and a couple of friends drove to the beach town in Baja California on Saturday. His father, Frank Goldberg, drove from his home in Corona, Calif., to Rosarito this week to look for his son but was unable to locate the man."</p>
<p>This is very scary…and happening more often.</p>
<p>My son’s HS sent out a notice to parents to please have their kids not travel to Mexico for Spring Break this year and to help them make alternate plans.</p>
<p>We leave for Cancun tomorrow. There are horror stories in every part of the US. (Chapel Hill, NC comes to mind…) Although these stories are indeed tragic, and the sadness that these parents must feel is incomprehensible, so are the stories of auto accident victims, young people who die of senseless violence, disease, etc. Everyone has to make their own decisions; being vigilant, making intelligent choices (especially when it comes to drinking/drugs), and handing over your wallet without a fight if someone has a gun at your side, should be the rule, regardless of where you go. Any kind of travel has its risks (as does driving to work every day).</p>
<p>I agree with astrophysicsmom. However, it is worth noting that Mexico is not the place to get in trouble with the law… you’re liable to be in legal limbo indefinitely if somebody doesn’t intervene on your behalf (politically, I mean).</p>
<p>There is a huge difference between driving south off Tijuana towards Rosarito/Ensenada and hopping on a plane to Cancun and Playa del Carmen. In the first one, the local criminality has increased under the watchful eye (read participation) of the local and federal policemen. However, in Cancun, the biggest danger is what people do to themselves through senseless behavior. </p>
<p>The importance of Cancun and the Riviera Maya as tourist meccas is paramount to Mexico, and so is the protection of tourists. However, one needs to understand that Mexico’s infrastructure and services are not comparable to the US. People --especially wild springbreakers-- who travel to Cancun may act as the city belongs to them, but it’s not so. </p>
<p>A bit of understanding and respect of the locals goes a long way. Leaving common sense and civility at home is the surest way to possible dangers.</p>
<p>BTW, A-Mom, in Cancun try the restaurant Puerto Madero in the Zona Hotelera and for a change in pace the Habichuela in the downtown area. Our family always stops there. Unfortunately, there are not that many great eateries in Cancun as some of the well-known ones have become expensive tourist traps (Ruth, Casa Rolandi, Dolce Vita, Los Morteros, Lorenzillo, etc.) There are better “smaller” restaurants in Playa del Carmen.</p>
<p>We <em>do</em> have a retirement home in Mexico. I, too, agree with astrophysicsmom. Danger and tragedy is everywhere; and it is equally tragic when a student fails to come home from Athens, Ga.; Burlington, Vt. or Chapel Hill, NC as it is to not return from Rosarito.</p>
<p>xiggi is right, I believe, that police in some of these areas have been part of the problem rather than part of the solution. However, I do truly believe that real efforts are underway to clean house in Rosarito/Tijuana. Problems will not be solved overnight. But I, personally, am not afraid to be in either of those places… and I am there frequently. Common sense and respect for locals, as xiggi says, must travel with you. </p>
<p>My heart bleeds for the parent of that young man. I have a 21-year old son who spent spring break (with us) in the same area. But crime and tragedy happen in Detroit, NYC, LA… as well as bucolic rurual areas. Not just Mexico.</p>
<p>I do NOT believe in blaming the victim. But a sad and shocking truth that we parents of young adults need to face is this: scratch the surface of most (not all, but too many) of these tragedies and you find a young adult who has overimbibed alcohol or other substances. Next step, good judgment is diminished. Vulnerability is increased. Using common sense - not so likely as if they were sober and at their best.</p>
<p>Me, I would focus a lot more on trying to get this through to my young adult than trying to direct where s/he went for spring break.</p>
<p>My brother was the victim of a violent crime that occured in a hotel in the US. It was partly his own fault. He was young, and met a couple of guys at the hotel’s bar. They lured him into their room by claiming to help him map out directions for the next day. My brother was not familiar with the area in this city. Once he walked into their room he was tied up, a sock was put into his mouth and he was hit over the head with a hammer! My brother was somehow able to untie himself and stumble into the hotel lobby where he collapsed and went had a grand mal seizure. The receptionist immediately dialed 911. My mother got that dreaded middle of the night phone call from police. My brother was given about a 5% chance of making it. He was a lot more fortunate to be in a city in the US than Mexico. My brother is fine and well today thanks to the most skilled neurosurgeon who was on call that evening. It was a long road to recovery, but my family is not visiting a grave. I will see my brother next weekend. He is now older and wiser, and has gone on to get married and have a normal life. That is something to think about. This was not just a story for our family. We lived this. My brother’s assault impacted so many people in our family. My mother and my brother are both different people today. This tragedy that worked out the best that one can hope for, changed my mother forever. My brother is alive and well, but he is a different person. Oh, and those that committed this crime did it for $65, an inexpensive watch, and my brother’s car. They were caught because they panicked when they heard sirens. One of the two guys was dumb enough to leave his driver’s license (guess you need to drive with your license when you try to murder someone) in my brother’s car! When they heard sirens, they abandoned my brother’s car and tried to run.</p>