So I happened to be perusing the feature articles on vagabondish.com when I came across an article called “7 Bizarre Tours You’d Actually Sign Up For… Maybe“. It is seriously full of great ideas, but nothing in that list beats old numero uno – The Illegal Border Crossing Tour in Mexico.
Is this for real?!
Yes, it is for real, and they have the link to the NY Times article of the writer that actually participated to prove it! Of course, it is only a staging of the actual act – getting arrested by border patrol for most is not a desired vacation idea – but it still sounds very thrilling. So, next time you’re in Mexico, this could be you:
*Image from the NY Times article.
Interesting find Brooke. That is crazy.
So is this why George W is spending 30 BILLION dollars to fence us off?
Disgusting.
I have to say I don’t think that it’s right in any way shape or form. I think it pokes fun at the poor people who really do risk life and limb for the chance at more opportunity in the U.S. Since i live really close to the border, love Mexico and see all of the true, serious problems going on down there it makes me sick to my stomach to see a tourist attraction being made out of it. This is people’s lives that we are talking about. It’s absolutely ridiculous to make a tour out of that. Few things get me more fired up than the border issue between the U.S. & Mexico.
I can’t believe people sign up for this. Some people really have too much money.
I think the point of this tour was to show people what it is like for people who try to cross… it is supposed to be more sympathetic than just only a tourist attraction. I can see what you mean since people are still paying for it.
Well I guess that’s a little better. I don’t think however much wiggling in the dirt anyone does though that they can really understand the full value behind the experience. That is something you can only know when you’re the one who wants to leave that badly. I guess it would also be better if they used the funds for something good – donated it to orphanages, womens health, anti-drug lord organizations, etc. I guess my above response was a little harsh. oops!
Interesting article, I have to agree with Bethany that at first glance it seems very wrong to treat something so serious as a tourist attraction. According to this article 6,000 people have died trying to cross the border.
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=317565&version=1&template_id=43&parent_id=19
However, I have to say this article does not seem to be showcasing a tourist attraction for fun. I think it’s a great idea, especially seeing as so many Americans are against illegal border crossing it would be good for them to see what it’s like. The majority of American citizens take their freedom forgiven and never think of putting themselves in the shoes of someone less privileged.