LOL- ok I just need some reassurance so please humor me if you have the heart.

Some people we know were just vacationing in Mexico & the guy is now in a coma in the hospital in Mexico. This is about the 5th time in a year or so that Canadian tourists were murdered in Mexico. They are saying that he is 100% brain dead. He was chased & beaten up. Of course the police, as they always do in these occasions, are saying that he fell from a balcony. Not true.

Now I KNOW that Mexico is completely different from Europe but it has made me feel very nervous in the pit of my stomach about traveling ANYWHERE. We are leaving for Italy in 2 days & then on to Greece. I know that there are always risks when you travel- & for that matter anytime you leave your home so I'm not looking for someone to tell me everything will go smoothly & nothing bad will ever happen to me. Im just nervous.

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. I imagine it must be hard for you to get this news right before your own trip.

So regarding being nervous - you know it and I'll say it anyway: most folks who travel do so very safely, even (most of) those who happen to get their pockets picked. Perhaps you could focus on why you travel and why your friend in the coma likes to travel. There are a lot of jerks (and beyond) in the world, but perhaps by continuing to travel (and participate positively in forums like this), we can help build bridges with the other good folks around the world.

I sure hope your friend pulls through and that his traveling companion(s) are going to recover form the experience, too.

I am so sorry for your friends( problem. I can understand that your are apprehensive.

Please don't let this unfortunate occurrence keep you from enjoying your vacation. I live in France, and in my opinion, I feel that you are safer in Western Europe than in North America.

There is no logic or justice in why bad things happen to good people, but you must not let this keep you from leading a full life.

Darling, just sit down, take a few deep breaths and then get packing and get on that plane! I was in Mexico last year and it did not feel at all unsafe and provided you´re sensible you will be fine in Italy and Greece. Fear of the unknown is always something travellers have to face but once you get over that you will have done something good and positive for yourself.

Hi, I'm Canadian and would certainly have reservations about travelling to Mexico about now - not just about the violence but because of the indifference shown by the legal/police system there.

I am however happily anticipating my trip to Italy where I've never been but wouldn't walk alone after dark in the neighborhood where I live. So I think use common sense and you'll likely be fine.

Random violence is, of corse, random but when you have the numbers adding up as in Mexico you should factor that in when choosing a vacation destination.

Awww, chopin. It's okay - many of us have doubts right before we go on vacation. Like you said, it's nerves, you're probably tired from all the planning and getting things in order before you leave.

I'm so sorry about your friend. But, in my opinion, I think Europe is generally as safe as your home - just use your normal common sense and keep your wits about you.

Relax, have a glass of wine and you'll be enjoying yourself in no time!

Where was your friend in Mexico? If you don't mind me asking. Who chased him? Why was he beaten up? The 5th time? Really?

Seriously, I am curious and only ask because I travel solo to Mexico often and have not read or heard these reports.

Also I don't see what that has to do with going to Italy or Greece anyways.

hi, chopin,

how terrible for you all - very difficult to put in perspective, especially when it's unexplained [in the sense that no-one can understand why it should happen to him].

yes, there are risks when you travel and when you stay at home - there are many studies of how dangerous our own homes are, let alone crossing the road.

in fact, statistically you may be safer on holiday, if you take sensible precautions - don't wave valuables around, keep your wits about you, and don't get drunk - as if you would.

have a great time,

regards, ann

"Relax, have a glass of wine and you'll be enjoying yourself in no time!"

Yes- that is what I need...some wine. Just kidding- I hardly ever drink alcohol but I'm sure a glass of it now would help me to calm down. I am very tired from getting all the papers in order & planning & packing, etc. Plus- making sure everything is prepared for our young children who will be at Grandparents for 2 weeks.

Suze- yes, it has happened quite a lot with Canadian tourists. Perhaps Americans as well & I haven't heard just because I'm in Canada, although I think I would have heard.
an elderly couple were found in their hotel room murdered. This happens quite often right on resort grounds so its almost like its an "inside" thing, or at least the resort is allowing people/staff to have information they shouldnt have. In this most recent case, they believe that the security guards were the ones who did it. This link here has more information on it.
http://www.cjob.com/news/index.aspx?..../n050929A.xml

As I said- I already know it doesn't have anything to do with Italy & Greece but it does have to do with travel in general. & since I'm traveling to Italy & Greece this is where I decided to post my "worries"

Thank you so much for posting the link for me.

Parts of Mexico have a much worse rep for violent acts than does Europe. Kidnapping for ransom is a not-infrequent crime. I have no interest in going to Mexico.

Your choice Travelnut. But it is worth noting, as you yourself said, these crimes are much more common in certain areas.

Europe is - in general - is way safer than the US - or even Canada.

Mexico is known for having areas that are VERY unsafe - large parts of the country are not even under control of the government - and for having police that are venal and corrupt - if not worse.

There is absolutely no reason to extrapolate from one to the other - unless you're never going to travel anywhere again.

Along with Europe, Mexico is my favorite place to travel. Never felt unsafe in either place. Bad things can happen to you in your own home town. I do think that alcohol and letting one's guard down with attractive strangers (not saying this is the case with your friend, chopinplayer) can make a foreign country a more likely place for tragedy to strike.

There is a thread on the "Thorn Tree Forum", Mexico branch, concerning your friend's situation and crime in Mexico in general. Anyone with a particular interest in this topic may want to check it out.

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/

Ask yourself this -- how many people have been in a similar or worse situation within a mile or less of their own home?
I'm sorry, but I fail to understand what travel has to do with this entire issue. People are attacked and murdered anywhere, including near their own homes.

Tourists are targets every day in various parts of the world. Is there something about this particular guy that has you concerned, even though you're going to Europe and he went to Mexico?

Calm down and think about the statistics. You could walk out your front door tomorrow and get hit by a bus, you know.

Right...because have we considered what tourists from other parts of the world, contemplating THEIR upcoming trip to the USA, must worry about, for their safety here? Consider the recent and highly publicized tragedy at Virginia Tech- some in Europe must assume that everyone in the US carries a gun and will shoot them while they are waiting in line at Disneyworld.

Today driving home on the freeway the person behind me was definitely having a case of road rage, and I could've been in a possibly fatal accident...and another someone with whom I'd made eye contact in a crosswalk for no apparent reason earlier in the week changed their mind and shot forward in their car!

While two close calls in a week is a lot for me, it's not that unusual probably for any of us...

If a heavily armed sociopath comes onto the university campus where I work, maybe some sirens will now go off.

I'd far rather be dodging traffic in Rome, driving a highway in a foreign country or touring Oxford University- in fact, planning how to take a European vacation is my escape until I actually can physically do and afford it!

It seems there are different stories about what happened. I've stayed at Moon Palace and it's a massive luxury resort. It's well off the highway (at least 1/2 mile) with a guard shack at the entrance. The property is so big there is transportation between the two lobbies by bus or golf cart. My room was so far from the nightclub that I can't imagine going back and forth to your room as the first story link said. I don't think we can determine what really happened until they complete their investigation.

Do you feel that Canadians are being targetted in some way? They are not, Mexico is just a rough place.

Europe isn't.

All of these posts are making me feel a lot better. Yes- even the ones that are telling me I could walk out the door & get hit by a bus today. Because I already know that. Trust me- my husband tells me all the time that I can't live my life being scared of what MIGHT happen, otherwise I would never do anything & turn into a hermit. LOL- I just needed to hear it again. Thanks!