So my nieghbor's an asshole
 

I moved to Mexico about 6 months ago. When I first got here I was basically the only person living on my street. After a couple weeks I notice there's a Mexican living in the house next to me and he's having a ton of work done to the place. This is great I think, it was a run down eye sore that I had to walk by to get to the beach. One day I'm walking by and the guy asked me where I'm from and how long I plan on staying. I explain I plan on being here long term, signed a long term lease (up to five years.) I talked to him a bit and find out he's not the owner of the house, he's just overseeing some work until the owner comes down from Canada. He says you're really going to like the owner. Ummm, turns out not so much.

The owner, Dale, shows up sometime before Thanksgiving. His wife, also named Dale, showed up about three weeks later. Turns out he runs a vacation rental company based in Toronto. He rents houses and condos from the locals, advertises them in Canada and re-rents them to Canadians for 4-5 times the going rate. He's been doing this for about 5 years. He gets zero repeat business, once people see the for rent signs and prices, Dale's not very popular. This is a practice that is not popular with the local owners either. Basically if you rent a place it's expected you will live in that place, no subletting. It's spelled out in big letters in my lease. I suspect a lot of the leases he has have the same language in them. I know at least one local who upon finding out Dale was not living in the condo he rented demanded he return the keys. When the owner went back to the condo everything had been removed. Furniture, fixtures, cabinets, and yes, even the kitchen sink. The cops show up and Dale denies any involvement.

Last week a Mexican pulls up to my front gate, I was in the pool. He points at me and calls out "Dale!" I can tell he's not happy to say the least. I told him "I'm not Dale" and point to the house next door. He leaves but returns moments later and says "You tell your friend he is to leave my mother alone, my mother does not want to rent to him, my mother doesn't want to sell to him. It is to be left alone by him that she wants." I try to tell him "Dales not my friend, I have nothing to do with him." I really didn't get the chance as he got into his car slammed the door and left as I was speaking.

So last night I'm woke up by screaming and yelling. Her- "You fucking locked me out you bastard, I paid for this place how am I suppose to get my money out of it?" Him- "You threw a fucking book at me and the houses' in my name good luck getting your money, bitch." Her "I threw a book at you because you hit me in the face you asshole." This went on for about an hour.

So, I know calling the police down here isn't going to do much good. Women here have little standing. according to my lawyer friend if he claims she assaulted him in any way he's in the clear for any harm he causes her, short of massive injuries or death.

I feel sorry for her and have an impulse to intervene if I think he's seriously assaulting her, but have been told by locals that doing so will not go over well with the local police.

Part of this is simply a rant,but I'd also like to hear if anyone has any ideas or thoughts on how they might deal with this situation.

invite me and a few of the punk bands down. we can point our arsenal of speakers right at his pad and jam the hell out for hours and hours on end. fuck, or just hit random strings and drums, we dont care.

yeah, i couldnt help you out here man. if i were you i would have already taken a baseball bat to the motherfuckers car, then kicked the shit out of him when he came out...but mexican jail sucks.

ever try fighting asshole with asshole? Maybe think of an elaborate way to frame em, send him to jail, and get him the hell out of your hair?

really man, thats a bad situation. Im no help here, im bad with doing stuff within the legal realm.

Bloody hell. You really couldn't make this up. Sorry, I'm still a little stunned. I'll come back with ideas later.

I'm down for a trip to Mexico. I'll bring my amp and the beer. :thumbsup:

Seriously though, it sounds like there's not a whole lot you can do other than ride it out. If the legal system won't back you, you're kinda out of luck.

Maybe you could try talking with him....

It's funny you mention a musical attack. Last week on the way home from the gym I was listening to AC/DC on my MP3. When I got home I plugged it into my speakers to listen to it while making a bite of lunch. The album ended and I heard "'bout time, thought I was going to have to kick someone's ass" Turns out these speakers can be moved to any room. Also turns out I wanted to hear some Radiohead. I had to turned it up so I could hear it in the pool.

I'm no tough guy, I really prefer talk over violence. But this guys about 68 and built like a twig. I'm 45, was a parole officer for about 18 years and visit the gym about 5 times a week. I don't think he's got the balls to approach me.

- I've only had one run-in with the Mexican legal system, but I've found that bribery is a fantastic way to get things done down there. I'm sure you know more about this than I do, but it's a thought. In the US, one wouldn't even think of it, but you're not in the US or Canada.

- Another idea would be to wait until he's not home and then bury some cocaine on his property, phone the police and say you saw two guys yelling and burying something a few nights back, and enjoy your neighborhood again.

- Assassin? 'Nuff said.


Or, you could just let it ride out. :thumbsup:

Let the testosterone fly! Ha

No fun beating up on senior citizens though.

Alright, Ghandi.:p

I tired to tell him one day that some guys were "casing" his house and he should make sure everythings locked up tight. I watched as a guy acted like he was weeding an empty lot across the street and giving hand signs to two other guys on a roof next door to him. The guys on the roof were tossing rocks onto his patio, it was obvious they were seeing if he was home. He told me I didn't know shit about the area, he's been coming here for years and I should mind my own business. He then walked away mumbling something about kicking someone's ass.

Two weeks later he was robbed.

He talks a lot about kicking people's asses. Unless he's a got a black belt or something, I think his mouth is writing checks his ass can't cover.

Shit tully, im a third dan in tae kwon do and i wouldnt consider fighting anyone at the age of 68.

but still, dont kick his ass. maybe just buy a net gun or something. everytime he pisses you off, net em'.

Third dan? You mean sam dan?

I pretty much decided to take this tact.

Though the bribery idea has crossed my mind. A little propina goes along way down here.

In my previous profession I ran into a lot of assholes, this guy ranks right up with the best (worst?) of them.

He hired some guys to plant grass in his yard. He then proceeded to water the shit out of it twice a day. If it rained all night? So what, water it some more. Shockingly it all died. Couple days later he's standing in his back yard yelling at the guys who planted it, insisting they replant it for free. They did, he began watering again, it died again. Last I heard the grass guys refused to return.

So basically he's not only an asshole, he's a stupid asshole.

I've found it's easier to simply be friends with members of the police force. It's cheaper than bribery and you can't get in any trouble for it. I know tons of cops here, and even a few judges (met them at the SJ Auto show a few years back, long story).

Did they spread seeds or lay out turf?

What to do about him aside, I think you should probably make a point of disassociating yourself from this guy. With all the people he's pissing off, you probably don't want them thinking you're even an acquaintance of this guys.

Watch your back man....

I won't attack him or hit him. Wouldn't do that even if he weren't so old, violence just isn't my thing. But if approached by him I will put him in a compliance hold long enough to explain the workings of the world.

I second and third the idea's of sonic warfare.

I just wish you weren't in mexico, you couldn't pay me to go to mexico.

The situation here with the police is a little different, but you're right making a few well placed friends always goes a long way. My lawyer friend and I are having dinner next week with a police Lt. and a judge. You can bet I'm picking up that tab.

Everything this close to the beach is sand so they bring in soil and spread it. Then plant plugs of grass that will spread if cared for properly. If it rains several inches over night (it's the tropics when it rains it really rains!) and you water twice the next day it tends to kill off the plugs.

To each their own. Other then this guy I love Mexico. I lived on the Oregon coast for many, many years. I'll trade cold wet, gray winters for surf and sun anytime.

oh lookie! someone knows something about tae kwon do.

ehh, here in america we say third, or at least where i trained, been, or competed at, thats including the jr olympics. yeah, only time i ever heard anyone use sam dan or anything korean bsides counting was when i was in the presence of grandmaster pok.

Shauk..Mexico is AWESOME. give it a try.

Ch'i, my little bro, is about an ee dan (2nd degree) but could probably get up to his third quickly if he weren't concentrating on combat instead of forms.
I wish his name was Grandmaster Pork. Maybe he changed it because it wasn't kosher. :confused:

Saw this website on the news where people can actually post bad neighbors and their locations....



http://www.rottenneighbor.com/blog/?p=6

Funny. That's the name I DJ under....

Yeah, I'm not posting this guys personal info on the net. He has a web site and it is tempting. Would be a public service to warn people thinking of doing business with him.

But...

As I walked back from the gym this afternoon it struck me that I'm really just lowering myself to his level by doing things like blasting music at him that I'm sure he hates. Karma's a bitch, or at least can be, someday his bill will come due. I don't need to be adding to my own bill by lowering myself to juvenile BS.

Haha! awesome.

yeah forms are important for advancing. I never liked them though, in tournaments i only took trophies in sparing, i dont have the grace or form to make them look good.

i remeber trying to do taegu 8 (sp?) corio, and dodiong echong (sp? for all of those!) in tournaments, never did well, no siree.

and tully. c'mon now. make his ass pay for making you miserable. You are the karma, man!

Let's see... revenge...

Piss in a cool whip lid - pop it into the freezer. Voila: portable piss disk.
Slip it under his door and onto some carpet - the heat in Mexico will make sure it leaves a fun scratch and sniff present for him.

What else... since we're talking about cool whip anyway - fill an old record cover with cool whip - slide it just under a door, and drop a heavy book on it. You'll be pleasantly surprised with the trajectory and amount of surface area that tends to cover.

One to top it off - if you can buy bugs at a pet store (usually lizard food) - preferably something with wings - say... ladybugs. Pop the bag of them into a freezer for a bit so they stop moving (don't kill them). Now pour them into an open envelope and again with the door. Once they thaw out, they will be PISSED OFF. Naturally this will cause them to fly in and around everything in their vicinity - which includes the bodily orifaces of the person whom you detest oh so very much.

It's not quite turning rivers into blood or summoning locusts, but meh - it's a deity-like revenge on a budget... I know Karma will eventually take its time to arrive, but stress relief is a must :) (just don't get caught)

Merlocke 0 how do you come up with this stuff?!

All good, if I ever feel the need to respond to his BS. Basically he hasn't done anything of much note to me personally. Of all his behavior I'm most concerned with is his ripping off the locals, partly due to the fact I have serious concerns about being associated with him merely by living next to him and being a gringo. I think that's a possible security issue and I need to keep an eye on things. Of course they ripped him off and left me alone, so? Also his hostilities with his wife are concerning, but a lot of that sounded like many domestic disputes- tit for tat. To me it was just noise until she stated he hit her and he didn't deny it. If he assaults her I won't be able to simply tune that out.

On revenge, he owns a convertible car. He used to drive around with the top down and leave it in his driveway with the top down. My understanding is he stopped doing his because the locals were throwing trash in it. An upholster friend of mine informs me that fresh milk poured onto the carpeted floorboards of a vehicle will slowly rot and by the time it's noticed the car is totaled. The smell will never be able to be removed. According to him this is something not covered by most insurance companies. My dive knife and a half gallon of milk could be one childish way to deal with him.

Just things to keep plugged into the back of my mind. I really think the best way to handle this is to let nature take it's course. I have little doubt it's just a matter of time and someone he's ripped off is going to inflict some gringo justice on him. According to many people this is his third house down here, each time he's moved due to people trashing his house. One such incident involved some type of arson. Several of my friends here tell me if such a thing starts happening next door I should load my dogs into my truck and drive to another beach for a couple hours. I already have the beach pick out.

You're right, you don't need to lower youself to his level. In time, he'll get his. Just stand back, watch and enjoy the show.

I know you're right, but it is nice to have a place to vent.

That's a tough situation, man...and I'd really love to help you out, but...you never told me you listen to Radiohead. :p

tully........do the karma thing.....no need to stoke the fire.

and i do hope he gets his one day,for your sake......



Merlocke...........you're one bent individual......

nicely done....:thumbsup:

Well, I think the general consensus is to rise above it and act like an adult. Something I think I always knew, just nice to have an outlet to rant and rave.

I listen to almost anything other then Hip-Hop, which I still call Rap.

Wait let me check...yup, it's still called rap in my music files, too. :p

Have you thought about building an especially tall brick fence between your properties? It might get the point across to others that you can't stand the guy.

That would be part of the sad part... there is a tall concrete wall between our homes.

Still, high five for living in Mexico. If I wasn't a friggin polar bear I'd totally set up shop down there. Heat's not my thing, but I love the beach.

It is warm, I've been coming here from years. May's going to be a killer. A/C not an option, it's a necessity.

Many people have an odd conception of what Mexico is like. Before my move I got calls from family and friends who told me things like Mexico is more dangerous then Iraq. My first question was "have you ever been there?" Almost always the answer was "no." Or "yes, to (insert resort town here.") You just can't compare any of that to where I live.

I live in a very small fishing village near Merida. The crime rate in Merida is near zip. Other then a few break in here and there, there is no crime. Certainly no violent crime. I can see the cruise ship piers from the beach I walk but the tourist don't usually come this far down the beach. I've learned not to walk in their direction on cruise days. At night the town is full of locals and activity. I routinely walk late at night, early in the morning and have never had a problem.

Another thing I heard was how much poverty there is, that's true but not really in this area. Saw a lot of really poor areas on the drive down but this area is pretty well off. I get most of my basic needs items at Costco. It's about 30 mins from my house. On that 30min drive I pass a Range Rover dealer, a Lexus dealer and a Jaguar dealer. I think there's a Toyota and Honda dealer too. Your basic "auto row." There also two boat dealers that I'm sure have nothing in my price range. At a large shopping mall near Costco theres a Sears, multiplex theater and an ice rink. If people weren't all speaking Spanish you wouldn't know you were outside of the states.

Basically all the families that started Cancun and still own many of the resorts there live here. 100 years ago they grew a fiber here that was used in making things like rope. According to the local museum in 1916 there were more millionaires in Merdia then any where else on the planet. There are streets lined with multi-million dollar mansions that date back well over a 100 years. All with very European styling.

I find it all very interesting.

I cant stand Cancun (not being 18 and all), but I've found that beaches like Playa del Carmen (which is in farting distance of the ruins at Tulum) are amazing.

How are electrical costs down there? I mean assuming they're reasonable, the AC might just change my mind.

Cancun is a nightmare esp. for a guy alone. I can't go anywhere without being offered "Smoke, blow or a women." Same thing anymore with Playa Del Carmen. Last time in Playa (this Jan.) I had a guy approach me "Hey you want some smoke?" No. "How about some blow?" No. "A women?" No. "How about a little boy?" I almost had to pick my jaw up off the street. Playa was great until they pave down to the water and put in a Burger King and Taco Bell. All sure signs that a place has gone to hell, IMO. Want to hit a nice place south of Cancun try Akumal. Even Tulum is a tourist trap these days.

Electric isn't cheap. When the A/C runs all day and night it's well over 200 USD a month. But rent here is laughable. I pay 300 a month, but have a big yard for my two dogs, I have a pool but it's an above ground thing I bought at Costco. I have a lady friend who rents a small house with a pool, her rent is 200 a month. You can find condo with an ocean view for 300 easy. My neighbor, Dale, can get you into that same condo for a mere 1200.

HEY, when you're on TFP you're never alone!

I've not been to PdC since he late summer of 2002 I avoided the more busy areas as much as I could. No one really bugged me, and it wasn't the way you described. Sounds like it's changed quite a bit in a few years. It's a shame because I want to go back and see Tulum again. I'll give Akumal a shot in a few years (the next time I get a vacation).

Many great out of the way beaches and dive spots between Cancun and Tulum. Pick a dirt road headed east and you'll likely hit water and a playpa style restaurant/bar. Sometimes down these roads you'll have a deserted white beach with not another soul in either direction.

PDC change after the last big hurricane in late 06, they rebuilt it bigger and better. Now complete with Wal-Mart. As of Jan. Akumal was still simply awesome. $50 Caribbean sea view rooms and many great little bars and restaurants. I suggest the La Buena Vida bar and the Vista Mar hotel. All very laid back and cool. Most bars will loan you snorkel gear. Snorkeling in Half Moon Bay is one of my favorite pass times, turtles, rays etc... Also many good cenotes in this area.

Want to see a cool out of the way mayan site, try Coba. Or if you have time drive or take the bus to Uxmal. Uxmals a 9 in my book while Chichen Itza's become a 3-4.

twisted, maybe - but it gets the stress out without hurting anyone (cept maybe the carpet)

you know, just jimmy the door, and put bales of paper in there, and then roll down the windows before locking the door shut again - then cut the wires on the paper bales - you'd be shocked at how much area paper can consume...

One of the public companies that I'm working with actually has a buy option on large area of land just 15 minutes west of the Cancun airport. Monarch Cancun. Retails a 1/4 acre lot with 3 bdrm 3 bath hacienda style housing for about 250k. I can get em for 200k wholesale through some connections, but the only catch is to get wholesale you need 10 people to buy in.

I've only ever personally been to Puerta Vallarta for my honeymoon - but I've always wanted to take a look at the ruins on the other side. Perhaps before I sell my property, I'll actually use it once and check that area out.

Good luck to you Tully, and don't sweat it too much :)

I suggest you make friends with your other neighbors. Have them over for dinner and such. Make sure the community knows you are not in any way related to him and you are a good person. It would go a long way to protecting your property.

15 minutes west of Cancun? I'd write that check. That's the only area I'd even consider, it's still very laid back and crime free. It's Cancun and south that has become a nightmare.

The ruins are great. I picked this area in part to explore some of the ruins. I've been to places like Chichen Itza and Uxmal 15-20 times. I've now taken to locating obscure Mayan sites via satellite data and my GPS. I have some friends, they're trying to get more funding for more digs. I met them in the middle of nowhere, they had a flat in their rental car. Every once an while I get an e-mail saying "Hey, we're looking at this on the sat photos, think you can go see whats there?"


BTW- no one here has any carpet, all tile. But I like your twisted style all the same.

Yes and no. I regularly have dinner, play cards etc.. with my other neighbors. The problem is this area is all gringos. Hanging out with them won't do anything as the folks really angry with this guy are local Mexicans.

And yes, every one of my neighbors dislikes this guy as well. Least I've got company. I found out the other day one of my neighbor sat on their porch sipping margaritas and watched as this guys house was robbed. They told me if his house burned down the only thing they'd do is try to roast marshmallows.

Most of my neighbors will be headed north here soon and I'll be back to living on the street all to myself.

I find it so interesting that this guy is a crook, if nothing else a schmuck, and the law can't slap him around.

Damn shitty situation. Damn shittier that the neighbor watched as this guy's house got robbed. Like you said, Karma is a bitch, but I think when you watch house get robbed, no matter who owns the house, Karma knows that can be seen as being an accomplice.

For the record I didn't know anything about anyone seeing the break in until long after it happened. And I have a feeling the law isn't interested in slapping this guy around, as previously stated a little propina (bribe) goes a long way down here. My guess is he's paid off more then a few people. If not he'd have been tossed out the country long ago.

I understand what you're saying about watching something bad happening and not doing anything to stop it. In this case the issue isn't nearly as black and white as it may appear. First, getting involved may in fact be hazardous to your own well being. Secondly, there's a real possibility that the people stealing from this guy may in fact have been ripped off by him. Thirdly, down here there's really no way of knowing who the police are working for, could be him or could be the robbers. It's doubtful they're working for the population in general. Their pay is so low they couldn't survive a week on a months salary. As a result they work for who ever pays them the most.

I'm having dinner with a lawyer friend and a judge tonight. I think I might be able to get at least a hint of what's really going on with this situation. If nothing else it would be nice to know what my real options are.

When I saw people casing his house I did try and warn him, he blew me off. When I saw them at it again I took out my camera and said "sonrisa" (smile.) They left immediately. Of course they had no idea my camera was broken.

If his house was on fire I would call the fire dept. but my main motivation might be due to smoke and odor more then anything else.

Up Dated
 

So I went to dinner with a lawyer and police Lt. last week. Sorry for the delay in updating, caught a little flu bug complete with sore throat and cough. I sucked it up and went regardless. I wanted to make a connection with these guys. Most of the evening was small talk and largely the two of them speaking in Spanish of which I'm able to catch every third word or so. Near the end and after several beverages I brought up the issue of gringos who come down here and rip people off, mostly locals. I ended up bringing Dale's name into the conversation. They both knew of him, no surprise. They never came out and said he's paying off people but did elude to that fact. I told them his front door was fire bombed, someone took a gas filled glass bottle with a cloth sticking out of it and tossed it (no wasn't I.) Dale called the fire dept. but by the time they arrived it was out. They seemed surprised it hear of the fire bomb but basically said he can pay all the people he wants but it won't protect him from stuff like that. It's also possible he'll suffer a physical attack. His paid protection won't stop this and neither should I. According to them I should stay out of any thing that happens to Dale. I walked away from the dinner with the thought that perhaps Dales money isn't being well spent.

All and all it was a good dinner, wish I felt better. Really nice restaurants can be found at very reasonable prices. We ate at Pancho's. I bought dinner for four with many drinks and the tab was under $100. At Pancho's they cook your steak at you table and the steak can be easily cut with a fork. Seafood and veggie dishes are also available. After dinner we all had flaming Moe's, err, I mean flaming Spanish coffees, all prepared at your table;

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/...88c699.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2076/...b0ddd7.jpg?v=0

Overall a very nice evening. The only two downsides were I didn't feel well and A lady I've done some work for invited herself. I installed her A/c and fixed her plumbing, now it obvious she want me to work on her pipes. At one point she started rubbing my leg under the table. I like her but not in that way. Not sure how to best let her down. For the time being I told her my Ex is coming down next week and things might take a 180 turn. I didn't tell her that's only half true. My Ex is coming but mainly to finalize some things and she wants to see the dogs. She won't be staying with me but another friend. I think I now know how several girls I hit on in HS felt. Not sure what I'll say when my ex leaves??? Guess I'm just going to have to man up and tell her, nicely, we're not a good match. That I see her as a friend and would hate to ruin a good friendship.

Hey Tully, just want to say that I enjoy reading your posts from Mexico. Thanks!

Thanks, I know a lot of my posts are filled with grammatical and syntax errors. I should probably spend more time cleaning them up before I hit the post button.

I've been meaning to start a photo thread about "my own private Mexico." Seems every time I set out to gather photos something comes up. My camera went tits up, a storm rolls in, friends call with emergencies such as no power, flooding etc... Somehow I've become the fix it guy. OK, did that to myself.

Anyway, I plan on posting some photos with comments when I get time, should be shortly.

BTW- why is it "tits up" means a bad thing when talking about electronics but sounds so good otherwise?

This is part of "my Mexico"
 

Here's a few shots I took yesterday while out shopping...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/...78f8c7.jpg?v=0

The ice rink at the Galleria Mall, I've never staked there, ex was down a few months ago and I think she said it was about $10 bucks an hour.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23754603@N03/2363507307/

Just outside the entrance to Liverpool

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/...f6f93c.jpg?v=0

A fountain at the other end of Liverpool.



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/...bef694.jpg?v=0


The Multiplex at The Galleria. Once inside you'd never know you were in Mexico other then the Spanish sub-titles. Movies are $3 at night and a $1 during the afternoon. Popcorns a buck too. It's clean and the seats are very comfortable.