us petitioner traveling to juarez

[swordfish2011 0]

just curious if a petitioner has traveled to Juarez as support to her fiance this year?

the stories i hear are terrorizing. im thinking of telling my fiance to go solo on this one. she is a really nervous person. so im just curious to hear someones feedback that has traveled there from usa to suppport her fiance.

[sharpcar 4]

hi there i soon will be in your shoes to...also going to juarez there is a lot of storys out there but if you have read the reviews from juarez i think that should calm your nerves and thoughts..just like any where in the world there is danger but sadly in juarez the media shows the worst..dont go ddown there to hang out u might be at the wrong place at the wrong time..from what i have read police are every where also districto federal agents wish you the best of luck..

[Ed & Luz 2]

hi there i soon will be in your shoes to...also going to juarez there is a lot of storys out there but if you have read the reviews from juarez i think that should calm your nerves and thoughts..just like any where in the world there is danger but sadly in juarez the media shows the worst..dont go ddown there to hang out u might be at the wrong place at the wrong time..from what i have read police are every where also districto federal agents wish you the best of luck..

I was in CDJ both in Sept (8 days) and Oct (2 days) and drove my vehicle with AZ plates into Mexico. Around the consulate area is very safe, plenty of security. If it was not for the news each night you would not even suspect the city is so dangerous. Just a reminder: DO NOT listen to the coyotes outside the medical clinic, ignore them and continue walking to the gate where the guard is.

I accompanied my fiancee the entire time, just to help out and be supportive, it really helps being together and I ended up having to be interviewed aswell by the consulate so it was good that I was already there. Read my post in consulate review.

Feel free to ask any questions, Good luck

Ed.

[swordfish2011 0]

just curious if a petitioner has traveled to Juarez as support to her fiance this year?

the stories i hear are terrorizing. im thinking of telling my fiance to go solo on this one. she is a really nervous person. so im just curious to hear someones feedback that has traveled there from usa to suppport her fiance.

ED, Thank you for the great info. you have calmed my nerves. i can't seem to find the cost for dna tests. my fiance has 2 kids as well and im thinking they may ask for dna tests. do you remember how much those costs?

thanks again.

[mugumogu 18]

Juarez is not that bad. You should read my review here: My review. I talk about the safety there. Overall, I felt safe and we actually went shopping and saw a movie while we were there. No need to worry.

[NoneYa 73]

I don't think I have been as scared as I was getting off the plane in the Philippines. All countries had a travel warning, kidnappings, robbings, third world. As soon as I stepped off the plane and I saw 10 other Americans with me, I calmed down. I never had any problems there. I am going back in January. The media and governments makes these places look worse than they are. 15 million people in one place and a few kidnappings in a year should not scare someone from going to a country if they use their common sense.

The most important key to traveling to a place like this is: Plan your trip, every step of it. Go straight to your locations and keep a low profile, keep your cell phones, cameras and other items hidden. Don't display money. You'll be fine if you use your common sense.

[GringoD 33]

That's some good feedback here, from those who have been before you.

When do you have to go?

Keep doing your research.

I remember, I schooled myself for NINE MONTHS before finally feeling within myself that I would be/feel secure, going to Colombia about 6 years ago. Been there about 12 times. Never a problem. Always a grand time!

Of course, ... things have been improving in Colombia, while deteriorating in (some parts) of Mexico.

[TBoneTX 46,173]

If it was not for the news each night you would not even suspect the city is so dangerous.

Si, man. The U.S. media have played the major role in killing people's livelihoods in the Mexican border cities. Back when Nuevo Laredo was "ground zero for wanton murders and rife with drug activity" (according to our illustrious media), I went there, on foot across the pedestrian bridge. I was just about the only gringo there. It was the cleanest city that I've ever seen -- not a scrap of paper in the streets. I had brief chats with several merchants, all of whom were concerned but not self-pitying in regard to the complete absence of tourist business.

I had a long talk with a young fellow who was minding a store that sold beautiful artwork and pewter. It was in a small mall, where he said there were four businesses remaining out of 22. "Yes, there are drugs here," he said, "but there are drugs in every U.S. city of any size. Yes, there are murders here, but they're 10 miles that way and that way and that way" (he pointed toward the deep interior of the city). "The police take CARE of the tourist area -- just watch. They circle the block every 10 minutes, maybe even every 5 minutes." I looked, and indeed jeeps of heavily armed police came by every 7 minutes or so. We waved at each other.

I bought a small serape from a lady in the same mall for $5. She was so happy that she was nearly in tears. It was probably the only sale that she'd made that day, perhaps that week.

Eighteen months later, I returned, and the entire mall was shuttered.

In another small, always-completely-safe Mexican border town that I've gone to often, I stopped for lunch in a large restaurant that used to be filled with gringos. At high noon, I was at one of only two occupied tables. The gringo couple at the other table got up and left, leaving a $5 bill as a tip. Their waiter (in his 30s or 40s, dressed in a tuxedo except for the jacket) picked up the money, kissed it, and crossed himself.

DAMN our sensationalistic, irresponsible, inaccurate U.S. media for what they've done.

I've been to every Mexican border city at least once (including Juarez), and I usually feel even safer than I do in many U.S. cities, and certainly safer than in Ecuador's biggest city. The key is to stay in the tourist or business district during daylight hours, and be healthily alert (good advice anywhere, si man).

[RomaSkirsky 6]

I have heard from many who recently went to Juarez that there have been no issues. Everyone just says to not talk to the people who are waiting outside and trying to offer you quick deals. They also say to not give your document to anyone who is not clearly a guard and even then he should just need a glimpse of it to let you in. You'll be fine. best of luck!