So the military here gaurds the coastal highways and runs the roads.Apparently 15 years ago the colombians came into mexico and shot all the drug pirates and other dodgy doods who were running the coke trade through mex into the states.These were the days when it was not safe to travel in these parts.So the colombians did the whacking and the military then took over the coast and in turn running the good stuff.And of course it makes sense for the guys with guns and power to do so to operate the drug trade.I dont know how true this is as i was told by a gringo-yank but its seems to be right.
So up north of mex at the beggining of our trip the checkpoints were cool and we would get waved through with half smiles.But on somewhere on the way to puerto escondido things got a little dodgy and the checkpoints have changed.i mean its the same in the way that there are lots of guys standing around with big fuck off machine guns and enough weaponary to kill 1000 peolpe per minute,but its changed in the way that now we are the prime target for their searches.
All the are after is some evidance of illegal goings on so they can bribe us for their party money.
So on sunday we got stopped at our first checkpoint.10 personel converged on our car and asked us to step out for a search.Everything was pretty chilled until i remembered i had a fair amount of pot in my daypack and when i saw the guard grab my bag i thought things could get a little interesting.But with me in his ear trying to talk bad spanish i put him off and he went straight past it.Soon we were on our way but only after we stressed that we are australians just in mexico to surf.without the boards it may have been different.Australiano no problemo,off you go guys.It was a bit of a luagh after we left as brockie was just waiting for them to find it and went rather quite,but all was well.It was then i decicded i would get rid of all of it and save ourselves the trouble.
The next day after camping out on a beach we hit the road again heading south.I had forgot to rid the car of the stuff but thought nothing more of it.Thats until we hit another checkpoint.Two in two days and counting.These guys were way more thorough and now i was a little nervous.They took all bags out ,checked borad covers,laughed when they found condoms but really gave us a going over.All the time while being pretty friendly.The doo grabbed my daypack and again went straight past it.I couldnt beleive these dumb shits were allowed to carry such guns.We were all good again,so this time i asked for a photo.They wouldnt put the guns in but a tried really hard,dont you worry.Anyway got a photo and left feeling very lucky with all my money still in my wallet.
Now im in puerto escondido and im going back to my car to get rid of my pot cos this story just reminded me its still there.
