Mexico has been dealing with security issues for a long time. About 15 years ago, a grain broker and a Mexican marketing family invited us to their operations. Jose, the broker met us in San Antonio and we flew to Mex City from there. When we arrived at the airport in Mexico City, everything became focussed on our security, no going to washroom alone, Jose peeled out $20 to pay some peon to go with us, no going to Duty-free shop. The hotel we stayed at first night was owned by the marketing family we were visiting. It cost $300 US a night, so none too shabby. We were warned not to leave our room and never open the door to a knock. We went to the Mercado in the morning, where long rows of markets are stocked overnight only to be emptied by 1:00 the next day. Semis of melons, flowers, meat, fish, grain, all gone by noon. They preeched security the whole time as they all knew of neighbours, friends with children kidnapped, ears sent to parents in boxes, cars gobbled up by big semis.
Then we were taken to Guadalehara and Queretero where their homes, markets and factories were. On the way there we saw 70-100 miles of open farmland with a few stripped tractors sitting around. Story was, no use planting because it would all be stolen before you could harvest. The streets leading to their homes had huge boulders planted in them so no one came or left in a hurry. We approached their yard which was surrounded by 12 foot concrete wall topped with 6 feet of electrified barbed wire. A thick steel gate electrically opened and we were greeted by a guard with a machine gun. Another guard appeared and they took control of two full-grown Dobermans. We entered the large bungalow and stepped past a creek running through the living room with a fruit tree growing out the roof. The house had in the centre a concrete safe room where they also prayed. The nice wife had never golfed with anyone but the body guard and the daughter was homeschooled because of security. We weren't sure we would ever see our family again.
When they returned the visit to Canada, it was about 35 below. The drifting at the farm looked worse than the Sahara Desert. They couldn't even get out to take pictures. But they were surprised to see no walls, no locks, no dogs, no nothing, probably no money either.
Then we were taken to Guadalehara and Queretero where their homes, markets and factories were. On the way there we saw 70-100 miles of open farmland with a few stripped tractors sitting around. Story was, no use planting because it would all be stolen before you could harvest. The streets leading to their homes had huge boulders planted in them so no one came or left in a hurry. We approached their yard which was surrounded by 12 foot concrete wall topped with 6 feet of electrified barbed wire. A thick steel gate electrically opened and we were greeted by a guard with a machine gun. Another guard appeared and they took control of two full-grown Dobermans. We entered the large bungalow and stepped past a creek running through the living room with a fruit tree growing out the roof. The house had in the centre a concrete safe room where they also prayed. The nice wife had never golfed with anyone but the body guard and the daughter was homeschooled because of security. We weren't sure we would ever see our family again.
When they returned the visit to Canada, it was about 35 below. The drifting at the farm looked worse than the Sahara Desert. They couldn't even get out to take pictures. But they were surprised to see no walls, no locks, no dogs, no nothing, probably no money either.
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