I Am So Behind....
Posted February 25th, 2010 by Shauna Foster
Just got home from being away for almost 2 weeks!
Went on a last-minute trip to Mexico, Riviera Nayarit.
Trip itself was very relaxing, beautiful surroundings, lots of fun. Way home was brutal, detained at the Puerto Vallarta Airport, passports taken twice....and finally came home to stolen/wrecked luggage. Pretty upsetting. A lot of my things either destroyed or stolen (including camera, sadly, no pics). Clothing, glasses, makeup, you name it. Ruined. Not a pleasant experience. I've heard of sketchy situations happening at that particular airport but have been lucky thus far in travelling. Scary.... and EXTREMELY glad to be home. One of the worst days of my life.
Lots of things happened while I was away. My baby nephew Samuel is finally home! His twin Sydney is still in NICU. The twins were born 3 months premature. I can't wait for Sydney to join the rest of the family. It's been a difficult few months and I continue to be amazed at the resiliancy of premies ...and the incredible staff at NICU @ RUH.
I missed a TON of tv! First week of Olympics was a write-off, Bachelor, Survivor, Idol...I'm WAY freaking behind! Hoping to catch up this weekend. I have a million things recorded. ...I already heard Bachelor gets pretty crazy during Women Tell All. Juicy!! BTW, really not liking Idol. Guys and girls both sucked this week?? Only a couple worth watching.
XO
Leaving tomorrow
Hi Shauna,
It's Ryan from poolside. We got news of this down here today. I think someone from Saskatoon's kid texted them about the incident after hearing about it on the radio. I hope it didn't sour your whole trip. Amazing how fast news travels.
You and Dean were missed the last few days. We leave tomorrow and will be a little more cautious.
Cheers,
Ryan and Chrissy
HEY!!!
Hey Guys!! Have a safe trip home!! It was super strange...that whole day was brutal. It was suspicious from the moment we got to the airport. Take care and talk soon! XO
Not bad Shauna, you have now
Not bad Shauna, you have now even made Trip Advisor because of your blog
I am in and out of that
I am in and out of that airport all the time (a few times a year) and find your story very fishy. I have never seen guards stand along side anyone and why were you "detained" and why would you ever pack valuables in your suitcase? Everyone knows you pack cameras, etc. in your carry on or purse. I am sorry if what you say truly happend but you also have to take responsibility that you packed valuables in checked baggage when all arilines, travel websites, guidebooks and TSA remind you not to.
"Fishy"
I have no idea why we were pulled aside so many times. There is nothing suspicious about us, I can assure you. I've said a million times we are extremely well-travelled and know the in's and out's. As for the stolen goods, I would normally pack my camera etc. in my carry-on, however the security guards specifically told us to put it in our checked luggage. Strange? Of course. Were we suspicious? Yup. But like I said yesterday morning, when you are in a strange country typically you do as they say, especially when guards are standing by at all times. And the point isn't that my valuables were taken. I'm more upset that my non-valuables were destroyed and messed with in such a dirty, disgusting way. THAT is the invasion of privacy that disturbs me..not some stupid camera getting stolen. Seeing your underwear and clothing with giant grease-handprints on it isn't a comfortable feeling for ANY person.
travelling
The only travel problem I've ever had was the day we were supposed to come home from Cuba...there was a snow storm in calgary so our plane that had to pick us up was delayed by 5 hours, and we had to spend one more whole afternoon in that hot sun on the white beaches.. how unfortunate!! ;)
Sorry to hear about your troubles Shauna.. What a horrible way to represent their country.. I've heard too many horror stories to make mexico my next travel destination.
Protect valuables while travelling in the US
Take a look at this. Note: these are US regulations.
http://lifehacker.com/5448014/pack-a-gun-to-protect-valuables-from-airli...
MExico travelling
Protecting valuables isn't the point. The point is, these baggage handlers in Mexico are supposed to be bonded employees, yet can break into suitcases and take whatever they want without recourse. My husbands suitcase got broken into at PV airport after we checked in, and it wasn't til we got home that we knew. The airline gave us a travel voucher, but the workers got off scott free. I wish I could speak fluent spanish, I would look those workers in the face and say "There better not be one thing missing from this bag, amigo." I love mexico, so this is sad. The airlines should press the airport personnell to not be so corrupt.
My husband and I went to
My husband and I went to Mexico for the first time on our honeymoon in October and we zero problems! I am sure that we could have easily been in your position...sounds like its a random thing. Mexico as a whole should not be judged on this incident alone, thousands of people go every winter without a hitch...I am sure people have had bad expriences travelling to Canada also!!!
Mexico
Something sounds a bit fishy to me, and a bit too vague.
What exactly you mean by 'detained'? What reason did they give you? Was there at attempt to get a mordida out of you? Did this occur at Security screening or were you pulled aside at check-in? Were you taking something through security that was prohibited and so they pulled you aside? What carrier were you on?
And who packs anything valuable in checked luggage? That is a well-known no-no for travelling anywhere. You pack your valuables in your carry-on, always.
I am sorry this happened to you. In 14 trips to Mexico we have never had a negative experience or a theft either from our room, or luggage. I would need a bit more information to take your story at face value, as a result.
As far as the poster above, I do have to say I get a bit sick of hearing Mexico bashed, usually be people who have never even been there.
Nothing Fishy..
On the contrary, we have travelled to Mexico numerous times, Dean spent years backpacking Mexico and speaks the language well. Trust me, we adore the country. This type of experience has never happened. I'm not bashing PV or Mexico in general, I love travelling and have had perfect experiences thus far. We were held back at both the check-in counter and before boarding, given numerous sets of tickets for no reason and had our passports taken away twice while guards stood beside us. It not only happened to us but another Saskatoon couple as well. Again, I would not "bash" a place I find beautiful and I'm not an inexperienced traveller.
to clarify
By the 'bashing' reference, I was referring to the poster whose comments are at the bottom of the page, not your story.
I am sorry, it is just that your story is so alien to everything that we and friends of ours have experienced in Mexico that I do admit I find it a bit 'off'....I can only imagine that there was reasons they behaved so.
Sorry to hear about your trip
I just heard about your ordeal on the radio this morning - that is horrible. I am wondering if you booked your trip direct or with a Travel Consultant? The reason I ask is, that I am a Travel Consultant. I have had my share of contacting an airline or tour operator for my clients due to a mishap on their end - and everytime, I have received a credit for future travel (sometimes large amounts)for the client. As for your valuables - did you happen to have baggage insurance? Depending on what/if you purchased it could cover most if not all of your damages. Otherwise, your credit card might have coverage also.
If you do have a consultant, just write down what happened and they will know who to speak with and hopefully get you some retribution. I know that nobody can take back that horrible experience or fully replace your valuables, but I do know that knowing that someone can help can go a long way;-)
If you didn't book through a consultant and booked online, I'm not sure if I can help (depending if you went through a travel site or direct), but I certainly don't mind trying for you.
So glad that you are back safe and sound
Hi, Thanks
I appreciate your help. We are dealing with the air carrier, I won't say which tour company because I'm still hoping for a positive outcome and overall, our trip was wonderful. Thanks. Shauna
Mexico
Hi Shauna
It is sad that you did have this experience and that this will probably stop you from visiting PV again as it is a great destination and already gets a bad wrap because the beach and water.
I do have a question as to which tour company you used for your vacation? There have been numerous problems with a discount tour company flying out of Saskatoon so I totally belive your flight may not have been scheduled properly if this company was involved. I have travelled numerous times to Puerto Vallarta and have never had a bad experience at the airport it has always been positive.
your mexico trip
Sorry but this is Mexico we are talking about...There has been so many negative stories about this country and the corruption with these border folks. Why do you think they demand that you pack all your valubles??? so they can steal them!!! makes me want to go!! I still cant figure out what anyone would ever go there??? I guess we will have to find other "more friendly" destinations. Mexico sucks because of this alone!!!!
Your Mexico trip
In regards to your comment about Mexico sucks, maybe re-read what you have written it sounds like you have never been there, so how can you say these things, you are going off of what you hear on the news. You are talking about the border, maybe get the map out and check to see where the border is and where PV is, you would be surprised at the distance from the border to PV. Mexico City I will say is a dangerous place to be, but if you are looking for trouble you are going to find it, same thing but maybe not as bad as heading down 20th street on Mid-month cheque day. This blog was about the airport in PV. PV is a very safe place, again if you are looking for trouble you will find it anywhere in this WORLD. My boyfriend and I are frequently travelers to PV, we went 3 times last year, never once have we had problems, in the airport or downtown on a Friday nite at the local clubs ex Andales which is an out of the way bar... anyone who has been to PV will know where it is. So blogger, get your fact strait, especially if you have never been. As for Shauna, why would you pack valuables in your suitcase, especially if you are a "seasoned traveler" doesn't matter if you are going to PV or if you are going to Montreal what were you thinking... you as a radio host would be the first one to criticize one of your callers if this was to happen to them... naughty on you..
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