In the midst of all the drama we had forgotten hitting a tree branch the same day. Awning needs a new motor!
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
Replacing Stuff
We've replaced most of the stolen stuff (from the Jeep), should get reimbursed through our homeowners policy.
In the midst of all the drama we had forgotten hitting a tree branch the same day. Awning needs a new motor!
In the midst of all the drama we had forgotten hitting a tree branch the same day. Awning needs a new motor!
Monday, 23 June 2014
Jeep update
We did get a reasonable cheque from Qualitas and have purchased another Jeep to take down to Mexico this fall.
I thought this photo was very appropriate, but we actually bought a basic 2014 unit. Photo of it when we replace the stolen camera.
I thought this photo was very appropriate, but we actually bought a basic 2014 unit. Photo of it when we replace the stolen camera.
Thursday, 17 April 2014
A very short update:
Qualitas has finally decided on what they require for paperwork from us. That was sent to their PO Box in California and was finally pickled up today according to the tracking number. Of course it's the start of Semana Santa (Holy Week) which means not a lot is likely to get done fpr at least a week or two.
Qualitas has finally decided on what they require for paperwork from us. That was sent to their PO Box in California and was finally pickled up today according to the tracking number. Of course it's the start of Semana Santa (Holy Week) which means not a lot is likely to get done fpr at least a week or two.
Saturday, 8 March 2014
Short up date-nothing startling!
After Art's last Spanish class on Friday afternoon we caught a local bus and returned to Aduana. But not before Art tripped on a step at the bus stop and skinned his knee! Holding a tissue over it until we arrived had stopped the bleeding but at the airport Art diverted to the washrooms to clean up his knee with soap and water, which involved walking the length of the airport and back because we missed the washrooms halfway down!
Back to Aduana with Gillian's letter of explanation with only a 10 minute delay. We had thought that they were going to give us the required forms but no:
After reading the letter, examining the Ministerio Publico report and the photos of the stolen Jeep and the bad guys pickup making their escape (which impressed the officer no end!) we were directed to the Banjercito (a sort of Federal Bank) to explain to them and try to get our import permit cancelled.
We had seen the banjercito on the way to the airport, it was back the way we had come,near the Marina. Back out to the highway to catch the next southbound bus, only a few minutes wait.
Gillian managed to spot the building in time to get off the bus, we climbed the steps to the main doors to see the guard inside with a key in his hand. The sign on the door read: Hours 8:30 - 15:00 Monday to Friday. Art looked at his watch; 15:00 on the dot. Then the guard opened the door! Hurray
Nope, he was letting a man out and relocked the door :(
Back to the rig, greeted by two happy dogs it was time for a very late lunch. Oh, and to properly clean the knee and apply some antibiotic ointment.
Insult to injury: This afternoon Gillian realised that our ladder, a combination 8' Step and 14' extension ladder was missing! Art had moved it away from the side of the rig, where he had put it while working on the fridge, and leaned it up against a palm tree behind the rig.
A few days ago a neighbour had a pair of runners go missing over night.
Back to Aduana with Gillian's letter of explanation with only a 10 minute delay. We had thought that they were going to give us the required forms but no:
After reading the letter, examining the Ministerio Publico report and the photos of the stolen Jeep and the bad guys pickup making their escape (which impressed the officer no end!) we were directed to the Banjercito (a sort of Federal Bank) to explain to them and try to get our import permit cancelled.
We had seen the banjercito on the way to the airport, it was back the way we had come,near the Marina. Back out to the highway to catch the next southbound bus, only a few minutes wait.
Gillian managed to spot the building in time to get off the bus, we climbed the steps to the main doors to see the guard inside with a key in his hand. The sign on the door read: Hours 8:30 - 15:00 Monday to Friday. Art looked at his watch; 15:00 on the dot. Then the guard opened the door! Hurray
Nope, he was letting a man out and relocked the door :(
Back to the rig, greeted by two happy dogs it was time for a very late lunch. Oh, and to properly clean the knee and apply some antibiotic ointment.
Insult to injury: This afternoon Gillian realised that our ladder, a combination 8' Step and 14' extension ladder was missing! Art had moved it away from the side of the rig, where he had put it while working on the fridge, and leaned it up against a palm tree behind the rig.
A few days ago a neighbour had a pair of runners go missing over night.
Thursday, 6 March 2014
The Cell Phone Saga
First, let me be clear: Art hates smart phones. Which for someone who built his first radio at the age of eleven is pretty strange. He says he refused to have a phone that is smarter than he is! He doesn't like the touch screens. He wants real buttons to push and switches to switch.
Art had a motorola flip phone quad band opened for use with any provider. We don't use our cell phones a lot and neither of us have a plan, just the pay as you go. Art found that a $100.00 Rogers card lasts him the full year.
We have sim cards for Mexico, USA and Canada and even got one for Ireland when visiting there last summer which he was able to use in Portugal the following week. On the return from Europe he left it in the seat pocket on the plane when changing in Toronto. Never been seen since. Fortunately it still had the Irish chip in it with only a few euros of time left. Unfortunately it had all his contacts in it.
Back in Victoria he eventually got around to thinking about buying a new phone. Gillian had spotted one in a the store (tiny Best Buy outlet at Mayfair Mall) so he had no more excuses. There he found an inexpensive new Samsung phone ($49.95) which they unlocked at no charge! Art was delighted and bit by bit began to add to the contacts list. Two weeks later it malfunctioned! It somehow appeared to have re-locked itself, reporting "unrecognized sim".
Back to the store. They had no idea what had happened to it and were unable to unlock it again. They offered him a used Blackberry that someone had traded in. Reluctantly, he accepted. It had no charger but the charger for the Samsung worked with it. The store did not want the Samsung back so for some reason Art decided to keep it rather than have them throw it out so took it home and tossed it in a drawer.
Now it gets interesting. But dinner is ready, I haven't finished my Spanish homework, so:
To Be Continued.
Gillian had an unlocked quadband smart phone as well as an old Mexican cell phone so when we arrived in Mexico we put Art's Telcel(Mexican) sim card in her smart phone and she continued to use her old one.
This served us well enough, throughout our time in Zihuatanejo though Art continued to get frustrated with the smart phone and had it not been Gillian's he probably would have thrown it in the sea long since.
In Puerto Vallarta, bemoaning the loss of his contacts, he decided to see if his new but non working Samsung, which somehow had been loaded into the Motorhome along with all our other electronic devices, could be coaxed into at least coming up with a contacts list.
He removed the sim card from the smart phone and inserted it into the Samsung, and turned it on. There was still a charge in the battery! However, there was nothing in the contacts list! But neither did the the Telus logo that had always come up before. In fact, there was a lovely little Telcel icon showing a connection!
He tried to call Gillian's number: It started to connect, then nothing. Gillian's phone remained quiet. Then we tried the other way--she called him, same result. Next dial *333 and up came the automated Telcel system giving his balance! Strange. Oh well, it was a good try. We'll try perhaps later. We had once before had this sort of thing happen while using the smart phone.
Gillian went off to do some grocery shopping while Art and the dogs stayed home. Suddenly he remembered something he had wanted Gillian to get at the store. Why not give the Samsung one more try before transferring the sim card? He dialed her number and it began to ring. I mean her phone really began to ring. It was plugged into the charger on the dinette bench opposite Art! By the time he got up and around to pick it up it had stopped but a missed call showed.
When Gillian returned he related what had just occurred, that he had forgotten that he was almost out of Becel (all of which he had brought from Canada!) but she had remembered him mentioning some days ago that he was running low and she had bought some margarine for him!
Anyone interested in an old troublesome Blackberry?
They say "if someone hands you lemons, make lemonade".
Maybe I should cut it up it into 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937. . . pieces and make a Blackberry Pi.
Art had a motorola flip phone quad band opened for use with any provider. We don't use our cell phones a lot and neither of us have a plan, just the pay as you go. Art found that a $100.00 Rogers card lasts him the full year.
We have sim cards for Mexico, USA and Canada and even got one for Ireland when visiting there last summer which he was able to use in Portugal the following week. On the return from Europe he left it in the seat pocket on the plane when changing in Toronto. Never been seen since. Fortunately it still had the Irish chip in it with only a few euros of time left. Unfortunately it had all his contacts in it.
Back in Victoria he eventually got around to thinking about buying a new phone. Gillian had spotted one in a the store (tiny Best Buy outlet at Mayfair Mall) so he had no more excuses. There he found an inexpensive new Samsung phone ($49.95) which they unlocked at no charge! Art was delighted and bit by bit began to add to the contacts list. Two weeks later it malfunctioned! It somehow appeared to have re-locked itself, reporting "unrecognized sim".
Back to the store. They had no idea what had happened to it and were unable to unlock it again. They offered him a used Blackberry that someone had traded in. Reluctantly, he accepted. It had no charger but the charger for the Samsung worked with it. The store did not want the Samsung back so for some reason Art decided to keep it rather than have them throw it out so took it home and tossed it in a drawer.
Now it gets interesting. But dinner is ready, I haven't finished my Spanish homework, so:
To Be Continued.
Gillian had an unlocked quadband smart phone as well as an old Mexican cell phone so when we arrived in Mexico we put Art's Telcel(Mexican) sim card in her smart phone and she continued to use her old one.
This served us well enough, throughout our time in Zihuatanejo though Art continued to get frustrated with the smart phone and had it not been Gillian's he probably would have thrown it in the sea long since.
In Puerto Vallarta, bemoaning the loss of his contacts, he decided to see if his new but non working Samsung, which somehow had been loaded into the Motorhome along with all our other electronic devices, could be coaxed into at least coming up with a contacts list.
He removed the sim card from the smart phone and inserted it into the Samsung, and turned it on. There was still a charge in the battery! However, there was nothing in the contacts list! But neither did the the Telus logo that had always come up before. In fact, there was a lovely little Telcel icon showing a connection!
He tried to call Gillian's number: It started to connect, then nothing. Gillian's phone remained quiet. Then we tried the other way--she called him, same result. Next dial *333 and up came the automated Telcel system giving his balance! Strange. Oh well, it was a good try. We'll try perhaps later. We had once before had this sort of thing happen while using the smart phone.
Gillian went off to do some grocery shopping while Art and the dogs stayed home. Suddenly he remembered something he had wanted Gillian to get at the store. Why not give the Samsung one more try before transferring the sim card? He dialed her number and it began to ring. I mean her phone really began to ring. It was plugged into the charger on the dinette bench opposite Art! By the time he got up and around to pick it up it had stopped but a missed call showed.
When Gillian returned he related what had just occurred, that he had forgotten that he was almost out of Becel (all of which he had brought from Canada!) but she had remembered him mentioning some days ago that he was running low and she had bought some margarine for him!
Anyone interested in an old troublesome Blackberry?
They say "if someone hands you lemons, make lemonade".
Maybe I should cut it up it into 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937. . . pieces and make a Blackberry Pi.
Tramites! (Paperwork)
Yesterday (Wednesday) after Art's Spanish class finished at 1:00 PM we visited the insurance office here in Puerto Vallarta and took along our very good friend and Spanish teacher, Melchor, to help with translating. We didn't want any misunderstandings.
The big problem is if course we have none of the original documents which of course they require. Essentially, what was resolved was they would forward the file to Mexico City for them to advise the local office. I must say that the staff in the Qualitas office here in Puerta really tried to help and were very understanding and sympathetic. They also directed us to the airport so see Aduana there. (Customs) about the loss of the temporary import documents and windshield hologram as well as of course the theft of the Jeep.
The Jeep not being recovered is going to be expensive: Customs can consider it sold if not found and not taken out of Mexico and therefore subject to import duty which is very high. We have heard that it is 40% of their assessed value. This amount is not covered by insurance
What we need to have done is: Duty paid, then have our temporary import permits cancelled. Otherwise, Gillian would not be allowed to bring another vehicle into Mexico.
Back to the rig for some lunch and give the dogs some much needed attention, then we caught the bus to the airport. -First we walked towards the big building marked ADUANA. Of course this was only for exporters, so back across the parking lot to the main entrance as directed by a helpful security guard. At the arrivals entrance another security guard directed us to another in a small cubbyhole who dialed an extension for us and we spoke to an agent.
He arrived shortly and we discussed the problem. He said we would have to call an 800 number to request the forms we would need and that he would return in a moment with an address to send to forms to! We weren't really sure what he meant but hung around for maybe 10 minutes and he returned with a paper printed in English and pointed out a small paragraph that we had to read and understand, then he would return in another ten minutes!
True to his word, he was soon back with an explanation that we had to write in Spanish an explanation of how and why the documents and the Jeep were missing. We would then return with this letter and he would have the forms that we needed to fill out! Art said that it would probably be tomorrow. He said that he would be here. All the staff at the airport was very courteous and helpful. It was now approaching 5:00 PM and Art hadn't eaten much for lunch and was hungry and sore from standing: All the preceding discussions had taken place at the arrivals gate and there was no seating available.
Back at the rig he soon took care of that and began composing the required letter. We then emailed it to Melchor asking him if he would please put it in Spanish for us. We could probably have managed ourselves but again, we wanted no misunderstandings!
So now we are waiting for that, then probably Friday after class we will catch the bus once again to the airport.
Now as to why Mexican customs charge duty for stolen but not recovered vehicles: It would appear that many foreigners who could not be bothered to take their vehicle out of Mexico, or no longer wanted it would do just that: Sell the vehicle (which is illegal) then report it stolen so they could get the temporary import permit cancelled properly.
As our Zihuatanejo musician friend Jimi Mamou is fond of saying, "Aiii, Chihuahua!"
The big problem is if course we have none of the original documents which of course they require. Essentially, what was resolved was they would forward the file to Mexico City for them to advise the local office. I must say that the staff in the Qualitas office here in Puerta really tried to help and were very understanding and sympathetic. They also directed us to the airport so see Aduana there. (Customs) about the loss of the temporary import documents and windshield hologram as well as of course the theft of the Jeep.
The Jeep not being recovered is going to be expensive: Customs can consider it sold if not found and not taken out of Mexico and therefore subject to import duty which is very high. We have heard that it is 40% of their assessed value. This amount is not covered by insurance
What we need to have done is: Duty paid, then have our temporary import permits cancelled. Otherwise, Gillian would not be allowed to bring another vehicle into Mexico.
Back to the rig for some lunch and give the dogs some much needed attention, then we caught the bus to the airport. -First we walked towards the big building marked ADUANA. Of course this was only for exporters, so back across the parking lot to the main entrance as directed by a helpful security guard. At the arrivals entrance another security guard directed us to another in a small cubbyhole who dialed an extension for us and we spoke to an agent.
He arrived shortly and we discussed the problem. He said we would have to call an 800 number to request the forms we would need and that he would return in a moment with an address to send to forms to! We weren't really sure what he meant but hung around for maybe 10 minutes and he returned with a paper printed in English and pointed out a small paragraph that we had to read and understand, then he would return in another ten minutes!
True to his word, he was soon back with an explanation that we had to write in Spanish an explanation of how and why the documents and the Jeep were missing. We would then return with this letter and he would have the forms that we needed to fill out! Art said that it would probably be tomorrow. He said that he would be here. All the staff at the airport was very courteous and helpful. It was now approaching 5:00 PM and Art hadn't eaten much for lunch and was hungry and sore from standing: All the preceding discussions had taken place at the arrivals gate and there was no seating available.
Back at the rig he soon took care of that and began composing the required letter. We then emailed it to Melchor asking him if he would please put it in Spanish for us. We could probably have managed ourselves but again, we wanted no misunderstandings!
So now we are waiting for that, then probably Friday after class we will catch the bus once again to the airport.
Now as to why Mexican customs charge duty for stolen but not recovered vehicles: It would appear that many foreigners who could not be bothered to take their vehicle out of Mexico, or no longer wanted it would do just that: Sell the vehicle (which is illegal) then report it stolen so they could get the temporary import permit cancelled properly.
As our Zihuatanejo musician friend Jimi Mamou is fond of saying, "Aiii, Chihuahua!"
Monday, 3 March 2014
Still here in PV
Not too much since the last post.
Lots on our minds as you can probably imagine, though the Olympics helped to keep our minds off our troubles for a while.
Surprisingly there has been a bit of good news; through lots of advice and suggestions from RV.NET Art got the fridge working! It seems that a thermal switch had failed and the cooling fans weren't working. A jumper using 2 inches of wire (white) and a couple of connectors took care of that. Now they run 24/7 and the fridge is cooling better than ever. That may also have something to do with the fact that the two vent covers (which we had removed in Zihuhatanejo to try to improve air flow) had been safely stored . . . . . in the back of the Jeep and are therefore missing!
Art's Spanish classes are progressing fairly well, even though an inability to really concentrate and poor sleep most nights still affect us. This is the last week of classes, we'll likely stay here until the middle of next week at least.
We will seeing a lawyer just to make sure we don't miss anything and will also probably see the insurance company again this week. They won't proceed with the claim until either the Jeep is located OR two weeks have past since the the theft. Tomorrow will be two weeks.
Besides the occasional Bandido wanting our Jeep, the Mex 200 has a large number of overhanging tree branches and other obstacles. We heard one loud bang which we didn't investigate until we were in the RV Park in Puerto Vallarta.
Haven't had the nerve to test it. Visions of it getting stuck in the "out" position.
Did I mention that the electric entry steps are stuck in the retracted position? Fortunately we have a folding plastic stool that sort of works. It took Tia a week to figure it out poor girl.
More to come.
Lots on our minds as you can probably imagine, though the Olympics helped to keep our minds off our troubles for a while.
Surprisingly there has been a bit of good news; through lots of advice and suggestions from RV.NET Art got the fridge working! It seems that a thermal switch had failed and the cooling fans weren't working. A jumper using 2 inches of wire (white) and a couple of connectors took care of that. Now they run 24/7 and the fridge is cooling better than ever. That may also have something to do with the fact that the two vent covers (which we had removed in Zihuhatanejo to try to improve air flow) had been safely stored . . . . . in the back of the Jeep and are therefore missing!
Art's Spanish classes are progressing fairly well, even though an inability to really concentrate and poor sleep most nights still affect us. This is the last week of classes, we'll likely stay here until the middle of next week at least.
We will seeing a lawyer just to make sure we don't miss anything and will also probably see the insurance company again this week. They won't proceed with the claim until either the Jeep is located OR two weeks have past since the the theft. Tomorrow will be two weeks.
Besides the occasional Bandido wanting our Jeep, the Mex 200 has a large number of overhanging tree branches and other obstacles. We heard one loud bang which we didn't investigate until we were in the RV Park in Puerto Vallarta.
Haven't had the nerve to test it. Visions of it getting stuck in the "out" position.
Did I mention that the electric entry steps are stuck in the retracted position? Fortunately we have a folding plastic stool that sort of works. It took Tia a week to figure it out poor girl.
More to come.
Sunday, 23 February 2014
Carjacked! Jeep and bike gone on the Michoacan coast.
Friday, 21 February. (Due to a ID 10 T error, it didn't post until Sunday. Must have had something on my mind.)
Don't have time to write a lot, Spanish classes start here in PV today (Friday) but I want to get this out. I'll add updates as they become available and I feel up to it!
Meanwhile, this is what I posted on RV.NET (other that a bit of minor editing) then few photos of the Jeep and getaway vehicle.
On Tuesday, enroute from Ziahuatanejo towards Puerto Vallarta on the 200 we lost our Jeep to a holdup.
We were just north of Coleta de Campos on the 200 when we were overtaken by a fast moving red Toyota Tacoma pickup. We remarked on the idiot passing so close to a sharp curve.
A few minutes later, near at a guess KM 79, we came across the truck stopped in our lane, the front end partially in the other lane. The driver waving his arms and signaling me to stop. As I stopped, I saw another young man running from the brush to my left. There was wide clear space on that side of the road with a narrow road or track leading into the bush.
This second man ran up to the drivers side and pointed a small automatic pistol at my face, yelling "the Jeep, just the Jeep. No hurt you." Then he began yelling "atras, atras" back up, back up. I was able reverse a short distance, then I was instructed to turn around. As I turned towards the wide space he indicated that I drive up the narrow track. I was not about to get out of sight of any traffic that may come along. I said that the motorhome wasn't able to get up there and continued my turn until I was parallel the highway facing back the way we had come. He then ordered me out
He came around to the entrance door as I was getting out and noticed the camera in my wife's lap which he immediately demanded.
We then went to the back of the motorhome and began to disconnect the Jeep. He was pulling on anything and everything and not getting very far, yelling all the time, "rapido! rapido".
I doubt that he had realised what was required until I got started, especially when he saw the brake system in the Jeep. I worked as slowly as possible while trying to appear cooperative and hurrying. Not taking a step without leaning on my cane led to the authenticity!
Finally they took off the way they had come. I quickly got back in the rig, turned around and set off north. Then my quick thinking wife told me that she had used her small pocket camera to take a couple of photos of the red pickup and the jeep as they left the scene:
Note the bike on the back of the Jeep. It a Wisper electric bike, made in Britain. None in Mexico, rare in USA and Canada.
I looked at my watch: 1:00 PM. There had been NO passing traffic during this time. This is not a busy highway.
Now we went looking for the police! A few minutes later we passed the 80KM marker.
At the first town, we asked someone where the nearest police were, that we had been heldup and our jeep stolen. The told us to stay where we were and they would go and find it! Nice thought but it wasn't going to happen! They then asked if we wanted to back to Caleto de Campos! NOT, so we carried on north.
Our next stop was at the RV Park at KM 103.5 where we gave our news to one of the campers who told us that there had been a road block by the defensa civil (local vigilantes). We had planned to overnight here in this lovely spot but had more urgent things to attend to.
We returned to the highway where we soon came across a Military group set up at the road side. We were waved on but stopped to tell our story. They appeared unsure as to what to do and told us we had to go to some unpronounceable place far to the north.
Shortly after that we too came to the Defensa checkpoint. When we told our story, one went off for a town official. They took a detailed statement, copied the pictures my wife had taken and expressed regret that this type of "disrespect" was so common. They also assured us that they were going to go look for it.
We were told that we needed to make a report to a Ministerio Publico and that the nearest police was at La Placita. This was quite a distance.
At La Placita we stopped at the taxi stand in town to ask directions to the police. When we explained what we had happened we were directed to the Ministerio Publico office across the square. We were invited to park at the taxi stand!
In a word: Closed. We returned to the taxi stand and were told that the Federales were a back a very short way, opposite the Pemex.
Finally! A Cop! We made a verbal report, he took pictures of the photos we had on the computer and were told we had to go to the Misisterio Publico in town for an official report. When we said they were closed the officer got on the radio to the Comandante. We would come and talk to us "horita". We asked if we could overnight at the Pemex and would it be save. We were assured that we would be fine. Just as well as we were a long way from a campground!
Later the Comandante came to interview us and made arrangements for the Ministerio Publico in Cohuayna to see us next day.
It took two hours to finish our statement at the misisterio Publico. While there Gillian realised that we had not yet notified Qualitas, the insurance company! she made that phone call and arranged for an adjuster to meet us in Puerto Vallarty next evening.
We left the office at 1:00 PM, through Melaque at 3:30 and decided to press on to PV. We know the route well and were sure we could get very close at least by sundown. We were parked in a lane in Puerta Vallarta Trailer Park at 7:30PM , deciding to wait for daylight before reversing between the trees into our site.
The adjuster arrived 10 minutes before the appointed time and things went very well. We thought. Now, several days later we realise this is not going to be easy.
Note: DO NOT keep the original vehicle documents in the vehicle! They went with the Jeep! Fortunately we had a copy of the Mexican insurance policy on the laptop. And since we deal with a broker for all our insurance needs at home we are known to them. A call on Skype had our homeowners police notified AND a copy of our British Columbia vehicle registration e-mailed to us with 15 minutes of the request!
Now it's time for a drink.
This was random act of opportunity. This is our 12th year of RVing in Mexico and our first incident. (Other than 11 years ago when a couple of drunk kids ripped the mirrors off our Chevy Tracker parked overnight on the street.)
We will be returning to Mexico in the fall, maybe not just this route!. Meanwhile, I have Spanish homework to do and that drink is still waiting.
Here are a few more photos of the Jeep.
Note the Roadmaster All Terrain towbar. The Jeep had the soft top on.
Don't have time to write a lot, Spanish classes start here in PV today (Friday) but I want to get this out. I'll add updates as they become available and I feel up to it!
Meanwhile, this is what I posted on RV.NET (other that a bit of minor editing) then few photos of the Jeep and getaway vehicle.
On Tuesday, enroute from Ziahuatanejo towards Puerto Vallarta on the 200 we lost our Jeep to a holdup.
We were just north of Coleta de Campos on the 200 when we were overtaken by a fast moving red Toyota Tacoma pickup. We remarked on the idiot passing so close to a sharp curve.
A few minutes later, near at a guess KM 79, we came across the truck stopped in our lane, the front end partially in the other lane. The driver waving his arms and signaling me to stop. As I stopped, I saw another young man running from the brush to my left. There was wide clear space on that side of the road with a narrow road or track leading into the bush.
This second man ran up to the drivers side and pointed a small automatic pistol at my face, yelling "the Jeep, just the Jeep. No hurt you." Then he began yelling "atras, atras" back up, back up. I was able reverse a short distance, then I was instructed to turn around. As I turned towards the wide space he indicated that I drive up the narrow track. I was not about to get out of sight of any traffic that may come along. I said that the motorhome wasn't able to get up there and continued my turn until I was parallel the highway facing back the way we had come. He then ordered me out
He came around to the entrance door as I was getting out and noticed the camera in my wife's lap which he immediately demanded.
We then went to the back of the motorhome and began to disconnect the Jeep. He was pulling on anything and everything and not getting very far, yelling all the time, "rapido! rapido".
I doubt that he had realised what was required until I got started, especially when he saw the brake system in the Jeep. I worked as slowly as possible while trying to appear cooperative and hurrying. Not taking a step without leaning on my cane led to the authenticity!
Finally they took off the way they had come. I quickly got back in the rig, turned around and set off north. Then my quick thinking wife told me that she had used her small pocket camera to take a couple of photos of the red pickup and the jeep as they left the scene:
I looked at my watch: 1:00 PM. There had been NO passing traffic during this time. This is not a busy highway.
Now we went looking for the police! A few minutes later we passed the 80KM marker.
At the first town, we asked someone where the nearest police were, that we had been heldup and our jeep stolen. The told us to stay where we were and they would go and find it! Nice thought but it wasn't going to happen! They then asked if we wanted to back to Caleto de Campos! NOT, so we carried on north.
Our next stop was at the RV Park at KM 103.5 where we gave our news to one of the campers who told us that there had been a road block by the defensa civil (local vigilantes). We had planned to overnight here in this lovely spot but had more urgent things to attend to.
We returned to the highway where we soon came across a Military group set up at the road side. We were waved on but stopped to tell our story. They appeared unsure as to what to do and told us we had to go to some unpronounceable place far to the north.
Shortly after that we too came to the Defensa checkpoint. When we told our story, one went off for a town official. They took a detailed statement, copied the pictures my wife had taken and expressed regret that this type of "disrespect" was so common. They also assured us that they were going to go look for it.
We were told that we needed to make a report to a Ministerio Publico and that the nearest police was at La Placita. This was quite a distance.
At La Placita we stopped at the taxi stand in town to ask directions to the police. When we explained what we had happened we were directed to the Ministerio Publico office across the square. We were invited to park at the taxi stand!
In a word: Closed. We returned to the taxi stand and were told that the Federales were a back a very short way, opposite the Pemex.
Finally! A Cop! We made a verbal report, he took pictures of the photos we had on the computer and were told we had to go to the Misisterio Publico in town for an official report. When we said they were closed the officer got on the radio to the Comandante. We would come and talk to us "horita". We asked if we could overnight at the Pemex and would it be save. We were assured that we would be fine. Just as well as we were a long way from a campground!
Later the Comandante came to interview us and made arrangements for the Ministerio Publico in Cohuayna to see us next day.
It took two hours to finish our statement at the misisterio Publico. While there Gillian realised that we had not yet notified Qualitas, the insurance company! she made that phone call and arranged for an adjuster to meet us in Puerto Vallarty next evening.
We left the office at 1:00 PM, through Melaque at 3:30 and decided to press on to PV. We know the route well and were sure we could get very close at least by sundown. We were parked in a lane in Puerta Vallarta Trailer Park at 7:30PM , deciding to wait for daylight before reversing between the trees into our site.
The adjuster arrived 10 minutes before the appointed time and things went very well. We thought. Now, several days later we realise this is not going to be easy.
Note: DO NOT keep the original vehicle documents in the vehicle! They went with the Jeep! Fortunately we had a copy of the Mexican insurance policy on the laptop. And since we deal with a broker for all our insurance needs at home we are known to them. A call on Skype had our homeowners police notified AND a copy of our British Columbia vehicle registration e-mailed to us with 15 minutes of the request!
Now it's time for a drink.
This was random act of opportunity. This is our 12th year of RVing in Mexico and our first incident. (Other than 11 years ago when a couple of drunk kids ripped the mirrors off our Chevy Tracker parked overnight on the street.)
We will be returning to Mexico in the fall, maybe not just this route!. Meanwhile, I have Spanish homework to do and that drink is still waiting.
Here are a few more photos of the Jeep.
Note the Roadmaster All Terrain towbar. The Jeep had the soft top on.
Friday, 21 February 2014
Getting ready to go, and the fridge quits!
This is mostly a place-holder post for the above title. Don't have time to write much, have to get a few pics on a new post.
Of course the fridge quit a couple of days before leaving. No way it can be fixed down here. Fortunately, there is lots of ice available down here. Might be time for a residential fridge.
And Spanish classes start for Art this morning. (We're in PV now)
Of course the fridge quit a couple of days before leaving. No way it can be fixed down here. Fortunately, there is lots of ice available down here. Might be time for a residential fridge.
And Spanish classes start for Art this morning. (We're in PV now)
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Third Month in Zihuatanejo, Solar System
Time flies when you're having fun! We have been here two months as of the 17th. We haven't done a lot; Dog walks daily but not too far, dinner and lunch out frequently, breakfast out at La Bocana yesterday--very nice--visiting with friends.. . . .
Art began investigating why the solar system isn't working as it should--it really doesn't get the batteries up to full like they should (14.4 Volts). Essentially the problem is the location of the charge controller--much too far away from the batteries. A major upgrade in wire size would help but not enough and it would not be an easy job.
The design and layout of the motorhome and the battery location make it difficult. Art has been on RV.NET getting advice and suggestions from many knowledgeable people, getting ready for a project when we get home!
The 2 80 Watt panels are in the middle. The ones at each end are identical just look different due to the camera lens.
Side view showing location of the solar panels. The wires go down alongside the waste tank vent, the white tube at the edge of the roof about the middle of the two panels.
They then run down behind the galley wall to the controller, the black panel with the red light showing, middle of the left edge of the photo. (above)
The output wires go down the wall to the floor and join the large wires from the battery at a connection under the stove which also feed the 12V breakers in the cupboard above the micro/convection oven. (left and below)
These large wires then travel by some unknown route to the battery and electrical compartments on the other side of the motorhome which are to the rear, behind the rear axle and under the bedroom slide. ( Roughly marked by the white plastic box on the floor down the hall in galley photo above. )
These are the battery and electrical compartments. The stuff on the ground belongs in there too, except for the large white bottle of distilled water. I'm not sure where we can mount the controller.
This photo shows where the front solar panels are (top left) and where the battery and electrical compartments are. By rights the controller should be in there. Somewhere.
And just to round out the electrical stuff here are pics of the Solar Controller and the Xantrex Remote. :
Art began investigating why the solar system isn't working as it should--it really doesn't get the batteries up to full like they should (14.4 Volts). Essentially the problem is the location of the charge controller--much too far away from the batteries. A major upgrade in wire size would help but not enough and it would not be an easy job.
The design and layout of the motorhome and the battery location make it difficult. Art has been on RV.NET getting advice and suggestions from many knowledgeable people, getting ready for a project when we get home!
Side view showing location of the solar panels. The wires go down alongside the waste tank vent, the white tube at the edge of the roof about the middle of the two panels.
They then run down behind the galley wall to the controller, the black panel with the red light showing, middle of the left edge of the photo. (above)
The output wires go down the wall to the floor and join the large wires from the battery at a connection under the stove which also feed the 12V breakers in the cupboard above the micro/convection oven. (left and below)
These large wires then travel by some unknown route to the battery and electrical compartments on the other side of the motorhome which are to the rear, behind the rear axle and under the bedroom slide. ( Roughly marked by the white plastic box on the floor down the hall in galley photo above. )
These are the battery and electrical compartments. The stuff on the ground belongs in there too, except for the large white bottle of distilled water. I'm not sure where we can mount the controller.
And just to round out the electrical stuff here are pics of the Solar Controller and the Xantrex Remote. :
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