Useful Links

kcowan · 12-06-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo

I hope they are being super cautious crossing the border as what we're hearing about that area on the local news would indicate things are going from bad to worse...

Yes they are. They will overnight in the US and then leave at 7am to cross into the border towns. Usually early morning is quiet. That is why we were surprised to encounter that take-down in Nogales.

But there has been no collateral damage. None. Nada. Zip. Until that changes, there is little risk.

Reports from Texas are suspect because they want snowbirds to stop in their state. Same as AZ, NM, CA. But there are reports of the cartels moving further into these states as they fight to control distribution. Just wait to see them cover those events (not!).

REWahoo · 12-06-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcowan

Reports from Texas are suspect because they want snowbirds to stop in their state. Same as AZ, NM, CA. But there are reports of the cartels moving further into these states as they fight to control distribution. Just wait to see them cover those events (not!).

I think you are terribly misinformed about the press not reporting if (and probably when) Mexican drug gang violence moves into the US border states. The news folks around here would pimp out their grandmothers for a story half that juicy.

Not to mention we have our own on-site eyewitness newswoman to give us first-person reports of what's happening on the TX border. BTW, has anyone heard from audrey1 recently?

LuvSouth · 12-06-2010, 01:47 PM

Torontonians at least have an excuse not to go to Mexico: It's too far to drive

REWahoo · 12-06-2010, 08:53 PM

Another recent local news article on what's happened on the TX border...

Violence tears 'sister cities' apart - San Antonio Express-News

kcowan · 12-07-2010, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvSouth

Torontonians at least have an excuse not to go to Mexico: It's too far to drive

When I talk to them about it, they say that an extra day travel means nothing when they are coming for 4+ months. But we all know that Florida will remain the destination of choice. It is simply too convenient. Although I wonder about the weather! 43 degrees in Miami yesterday!

One of DWs cousins live in Naples. His wife comes to stay with him on extended vacations from her job. Apparently they both planned to retire there but then she had second thoughts after his move.

LuvSouth · 12-07-2010, 06:01 AM

I agree one extra day means nothing when people are coming for a few months. In fact we even plan to tour cities and towns along our snowbird routes, weather permitting though.

I also agree that there's no guarantee summer like weather in Dec, Jan & Feb in Florida.

Just look at this mini cold spell happening these few days. I checked the overnight/morning temperatures (Wunderground) of SW Florida, it's around 4C, interior counties or places North of Fort Myers may have dropped to 0C or below.

So it looks like even S & SW Florida has mini cold spell in Dec. Except Key West which has a low of 14C this morning.

I just looked at the weather map, the entire continental USA is blue ...

kcowan · 12-07-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvSouth

I just looked at the weather map, the entire continental USA is blue ...

Yes the whole continent seems to be in an unusual deep freeze. Even here in PV it is 68 this morning. With the breeze off the mountains, it feels cold! Slippers and sweats.

LuvSouth · 12-07-2010, 08:55 AM

I think I am ok with the occasional cold spell in South Florida as we will be taking cruises to South Carribean in the future. Hopefully the cruises schedules will coincide with the cold spells in South Florida.

It's pretty chilly in Toronto right now, it's the windchill factor that makes me feel "cold" ! Argghh ... Can't wait to spend more time in Florida in the winter !

Just curious, how do you survive in PV supposingly with limited Spanish ? How do you understand the locals when they speak Spanish to you other than sign language ?

kcowan · 12-07-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvSouth

....how do you survive in PV supposingly with limited Spanish ? How do you understand the locals when they speak Spanish to you other than sign language ?

I love communicating in Spanish but it is not necessary. It just enriches the experience because you can shop where the locals do (always cheaper than where the gringos shop). But all the people who come here for their 2-week all-inclusive vacations never have to speak anything but English. It is a matter of personal choice.

Also the people who choose to learn Spanish tend to be more interesting.