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Article #13 MORDIDA/BANDIDO ISSUES -
What About Them?

by Jim Jaillet - Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved

In Article #1, CENTRAL AMERICA: You Can Do It!, we discussed the importance of
planning. This aspect of planning will help you to experience your trip
with MINIMAL MORDIDA/BANDIDO PROBLEMS!

Mordidas (bribes) exist because most officials in Mexico and Central
America cannot exist on their minimal salaries. In many cases they must
buy their own uniforms and in some cases pay a mordida to their boss on
a regular basis just to keep their job. The tradition of mordida allows
the official, whenever they can get away with it, a way to supplement
their meager salary. I guarantee you will face dealing with a mordida
situation more than once during your trip!

My conclusion about how you react to a mordida situation revolves around
how much time you will give to give the situation. I mean, do you want
to lose a whole day of enjoyment messing with a mordida situation with
only a couple of dollars at stake?

I believe most folks just pay the amount so they can get on with their
life. I also believe those officials seeking the mordida rely on this
factor when they choose to create the mordida situation. But, what do
you do when the mordida amount is substantial and you did nothing wrong?
And what about that thing called PRINCIPLE? When you adopt an attitude
of "nobody is going to do that to me!", it then becomes a whole
different ballgame! I suggest how you will re-act will depend on the
circumstances.

Let me give you an example of just three mordida situations we
encountered during my 343 day trip. Entering Nicaragua, two of my fellow
travel companions did not possess original vehicle titles (the bank had
the originals), nor letters of authorization from their banks to take
the vehicles outside the United States. After four hours of
"discussion" , they each agreed to pay a $40 fee and then could proceed
with the trip. Another incident happened northbound entering Costa Rica,
the boss of the border crossing refused to give me a permit to tow my
Bronco behind my motorhome; this despite the fact I still carried a
valid permit issued on my southbound journey. After four hours of heated
debate, he finally suggested that for $100 my problem would "go away."
By then, I was so angry at him, I flatly refused and demanded to speak
to his boss on the telephone which did me absolutely no good. After
seven hours it was starting to get dark (you need to know I parked in a
location somewhat blocking traffic) so I finally said to him, "That
motorhome will not move until you give me a permit or I die, whichever
comes first!" He finally relented and give me a three day permit to
cross 325 miles of terrible roads through Costa Rica. Finally, in
Honduras with the temperature at about 110 degrees, at a police
checkpoint the police officer informed me that it is illegal to drive
without a shirt! For that offence the fine was 100 Limpera ($5.55 U.S.).
I objected vigorously and after 15 minutes he relented and reduced the
fine by 50% to 50 Limpera ($2.78 U.S.) so I paid that fine and could
proceed. As you can see, generally a case by case situation!

Do not assume that officials who accept a bribe will do anything
illegal. The mere suggestion would make them very upset. You bribe them
to persuade them to do their job, or you persuade them not to do it, or
to do it more quickly, or more slowly. The ways of Mexico and Central
America! Mordidas emerge as just one more of the countless cultural
experiences that await you in these countries and that became exactly
how we looked at them. When they occurred we simply stated, "Just
another cultural experience!"

Finally, a brief few words about bandidos. In all my time in Mexico and
Central America never once did I experience a face-to-face with a
bandido intent on robbing me. The guidebooks are full of suggestions on
how to avoid/what to do in that situation. I've simply heard the stories
they do indeed occur. However, I must warn you that millions of bandidos
do exist and each and every one of them stole my heart!

Don't miss the next installment "POLICE/MILITARY ISSUES - What About
Them?" in which I'll discuss the considerations for avoiding police and
military problems. Stay tuned and remember my promise at the beginning
of Article #1.................................................................. YOU CAN DO IT!
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Jim Jaillet is a full-time RVer, Adventurer and Author of
PANAMA OR BUST - A 343 day adventure in a motorhome!

You can claim your copy of my book for only $19.95 at
http://www.panamaor bust.com

I'd love to hear what you thought of this Article #13, MORDIDA/BANDIDO
ISSUES: What about them?

Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for upcoming articles to
me at jimj@panamaorbust. com.

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Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your Ezine or on
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Disclaimer: The author in no way can guarantee your safety in Central
America. After all they are Third World countries and not without danger
or the possibility of death. You go at your own risk. The author is only
suggesting that with some planning, common sense and caution you may
minimize your potential dangers and be rewarded with countless cultural
experiences. :)

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