La Policia
Here in the center of Merida, we see four different types of policemen. The ones in black uniforms are the Federales, the Federal police. Today we learned that the State Police, called officially Estatales, are known around here by the kids as Tamarindos. They wear seed-pod brown uniforms and are often a bit on the heavy side. They get their nicknames for the shapes their bodies resemble, elongated but bumpy tamarind seeds. Then there are two types of city police, both dressed in blue because they were put into office by the PAN political party, whose color is blue (according to our source) . There are the Bicycle City Police, who apparently garner some respect from the townspeople and have no nickname, and the Traffic City Police, who are called Pitufos which is the Spanish word for "Smurfs"... because they tend to be short and are all dressed in blue. They apparently do NOT garner much respect.
Note: See that nifty little Subscribe box on our home page? That's a cool new way to sign up for our blog. If you sign up, every time we add a post to the Yucatan Living blog, you'll get an email. Neat, huh? Now you don't have to remember to check in every once in awhile to see what Working Gringos do in paradise... just check your email, which you do anyway! So sign up... it's free. gratis. And we won't bother you with anything else.
Comments
Latoinvodia 17 years ago
www.yucatanliving.com - the most necessary site!
Thank for your help! I think it wasnt easy to post here so much information.
Regards
Swen
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Khaki 18 years ago
The concept of helping little old ladies across the street may have disappeared from the States, but I can certainly testify that the practice is still alive and well in Merida, Yucatan. I was barely 50 years old when I first arrived in Merida and, from the first day, the Tourist Police had me by the elbow, guiding me across the street, with admonitions to watch my step and be careful of vehicles. I am now 59 years old and, when in Yucatan, often go to Centro for lunch. I step toward the curb and a member of the Tourist Police “appears,†takes me by the elbow, and we both begin to laugh. I “play-slap†his hands from my arm with “I am NOT a tourist and I can DO it by mySELF!†He giggles and replies, “Of COURSE you can, Senora. Now, watch your step and be careful of vehicles†– then he takes my elbow and away we go. I have been guided safely across the street yet again. …and do you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know it and so do the Tourist Police. Bless their hearts, every single one of them.
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Dan 18 years ago
I was standing on the sidewalk in Merida, waiting for a ride. For about 10 minutes I watched the young traffic policeman (who indeed was short and dressed in blue) as he directed traffic with assertive flourishes on his whistle. Then he strolled over and, all smiles, introduced himself. We chatted about the weather (he was bundled in a thick parka and said he was was a policeman icicle - it was about 65 F) and the local Tigers baseball team, of which he was very proud. I thought he had finished work, but then he ambled back into the intersection and started directing traffic again. He had just taken a break to satisfy his curiosity about the gringo hanging out on the corner.
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Working Gringos 18 years ago
Grant,
We've had the same experience here in Yucatan. Very different experience than in some other parts of Mexico or even in California! We rode around Yucatan without license plates for a few months and every time we were stopped, it was for a gentle reminder. That would never happen back home.
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david zamudio jr. 18 years ago
Great magazine, love all the tips, keep it up working gringos. took the advice and singed up.
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Grant 18 years ago
I've been stopped twice by the Estadales while driving. Both times they were totally professional and let me off with a polite warning.
I can't say two instances mean anything statistically, but they certainly left me feeling better than the treatment I get from our own Customs and Immigration officers, who always treat me like I'm a terrorist drug smuggler until they and their canine pals have given my car the once over. I guess that's what the world has come to, but based on my limited experience, I'd rather deal with the Mexicans.
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KAT 19 years ago
Very, very cool, Working Gringos. Thanks for the insight on Merida police, and even more for the Bloglet tip-- I signed up for yours and then added a subscribe option to my own blog. Muy f?cil. What fun.
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