[A/S] Traveling through check points in foreign countries

["Pam Lunn" <pam@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

You are exactly right - attitude is everything, especially if you cannot 
speak the language.  But never appear meek, always friendly and firm.

I spent 6 months a year for 4 years back in the late 70's in Colombia as 
first an exchange student and then an "explorer" <grin>.  Each town has 
"Retens" on all roads in and out of a town.  They often stop cars just to 
check a license, etc.  If it is a vehicle that appears to be able to 
"donate" to the fund you will be detained for a long period of time til you 
can find the "donation".  Vehicles held together with bubble gum and bailing 
wire as well as those trucks with 45 humans and 30 chickens stuffed into the 
back end are waved through.  I learned to carry a case of Heineken (hot was 
never a problem to them) and a couple cartons of cigarettes (with the price 
of cigs, may just be too expensive these days).  When I drove up I would 
make sure every one on duty either had a beer or pack of cigs in hand.  The 
Jefe (boss) had both!  Cheap tolls but once I was known, I knew where ever I 
saw those guys around the area they would keep an eye out for me.  Kinda a 
prepaid security plan!  I would often run into them in the town and they 
would make a point of running up and saying hello like long lost friends! 
Now I spoke pretty good Spanglish which did help the process!!

Pam in Tampa