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| Bill and Dot Bell |
Dot and Bill Bell are
Mexican RV experts and have taught and led seminars about camping in
Mexico throughout Canada and the US. Their website is considered the
most up-to-date source about camping and RVing south of the border.
Questions this issue:
•Begging
•What to bring to donate
•Upholstery
Dear Bill and Dot,
We have traveled to Mexico by plane many times and are traveling to Mazatlan by RV for our first time this year.
We have always been concerned with the amount of begging that goes on
and just don’t feel comfortable about giving people money. We do give
if we see children “selling” gum or candy, but even so we continue to
feel uncomfortable. Any thoughts you have on this matter would be
appreciated. —Janet and Ken
Dear Janet and Ken,
We too feel uncomfortable with beggars on the street. Bill occasionally
gives to some, especially mothers with babies. However we too share
your “uncomfortable” feelings.
We no longer give money or purchase gum from kids. We have spoken to
many Mexicans and have seen billboards and signs that request that
tourists do NOT give children money. Apparently some parents pull the
kids out of school if they are earning a good living at begging.
Instead we carry a few colorful pencils with us and give the child a
pencil instead as a gift. Or a ruler, pencil sharpener or other small
school supply.
We do want to give something back to the Mexican communities we visit.
Instead of donating to beggars and kids, we bring down school supplies
and donate them to a charity or school on our way. Please read the
following question as it's related.
Dear Editor,
We have heard you organize RVers to give school supplies to kids. We
are going to the Baja and would like to donate something to a school.
Can you help us? — Pat and John
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| There are many diferent ways to give to the poor in Mexico Bill Bell Photograph |
Hi there,
Thanks for writing. We don’t personally organize RVers to donate to
schools, rather we encourage giving on our website, in our monthly
email magazine and at our classes on RVing to Mexico. We donate some
supplies – school or medical - instead of giving to street beggars and
kids selling gum.
We suggest that $20 can go a long way at a Dollar Store. We buy pens
and pencils, puzzles and rulers. We see what is a good bargain and put
the donation bag in the corner of the RV.
Many people bring down crutches, wheel chairs and walkers. As RVers we
can often assist where fly-in tourists cannot. Check your attic or
garage. Everything from old tools, computers, to clothing or bedding
would be a great gift to a family with little or no money.
We have compiled a list of things that would make a great
“contribution.” Remember that if you declare at customs that your
intended gift will be donated, (even used clothing or school supplies),
you will be taxed on the value. If they are for your personal use they
are exempt.
School Supplies
•Notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, compasses
(regular and geometric), glue, drawing paper, scissors, crayons and
colored pencils.
•Copiers, computers and printers
•Basketball hoops, balls, soccer balls etc
Medical Supplies
•All arthritis medications such as Ibuprofen.
•Stomach medications, such as antacids. (Large bottles of generics are best. Both for economy and ease of handing out.)
•Children's and adult aspirin.
•All first aid supplies.
•Non prescription eye glasses (more children than adult).
•Wheel chairs, crutches, and walkers.
•Toothbrushes, paste and floss.
Misc.
•Used New/Clothing including shoes, caps and jackets.
•Bedding including pillows, sheets, Blankets
•Kitchen dishes, cutlery, and misc supplies
•Tools for cars
If you have an interesting item that you feel would be useful and are
not sure, please write us. As you are going to the Baja, you can bring
your goodies to the Brisa del Mar Trailer Park in San Jose and ask them
to contact League MAC (Mexican, American, Canadian League) who also
holds charity events in the area to raise cash.
For those readers who are traveling to other locations, please write us
and we can give you the names of folks we know who will properly
distribute your gifts.
Hi there,
I read with interest your column on inexpensive mechanics and bodywork,
and am wondering if there are good inexpensive places to take our rig
for custom upholstery. — Penny
Hi Penny,
Are you in luck! We have seen some fantastic work done on a number of
rigs on the West Coast and assume you will be able to find similar
quality and craftsmanship in other major areas.
If your fabric requirements are something very specific, purchase your
material at home and bring it with you. If however, you only need
standard naugahide or plain upholstery fabric, you will be able to get
it in Mexico.
Many RVers get custom skirting for their fifth wheels made, giving them
a “storage area” just under the hitch. Others have had custom outdoor
rooms sewn to their exact specifications. In one RV park, the
upholsterers come right to the park and work from tables outside your
rig. Everyone saw the quality of work and excellent prices, and it
seemed like half the park was getting one thing or another made or
repaired.
For more information about RVing and exploring Mexico, go to The Bell's website or to ask your question about RVing in Mexico write
editor@ontheroadin.com .
Dot and Bill will be teaching 4 – 5 hour extensive course about RV travel in Arizona October 20, 2005.
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Traveler's
Guide to Mexican Camping
Headed to Mexico? Make this your guide. Authors
Mike and Terri Church cover everything you need to know to RV in this
inexpensive, fascinating land. More than 250 campgrounds listed, too! |
Mexico
By RV
Have you ever wondered what it would be like
to stay on one of the pristine beaches pictured in all the Mexico travel
books, or explore the historic Colonial regions and visit the ancient
ruin sites. |
Frommer's
Mexico 2005
Everything a visitor to Mexico needs
to know about spending time in the country is here. This is not a camping
guide, but anyone who plans to head south will find it a wealth of necessary
information. |
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