Renting a Car in Cancun - Cheated by Alamo!

Alamo - Return Unhappy?*

Jen & I just spent a few days south of Cancun in the Riviera Maya. We rented a car from Alamo & had a slight problem. Here's the letter Jen wrote (& sent to the local office and the American HQ). I've added some comments in square brackets & I'll post an update if/when the issue is resolved:

Barking Dogs in Cancun

If you visit Cancun & don't stay in the hotel zone, you'd better bring some earplugs or get used to the sound of barking dogs. They are everywhere here. Stray dogs wander the streets and parks at night, but the problem is mostly the domesticated dogs and their inconsiderate owners. Apparently there are laws about making noise here, but like most laws in Mexico, they were made to be broken. Calling the police is probably useless (or worse). We haven't tried it yet, but we will, as soon as our Spanish improves.

Most people who have dogs here keep them outside, as guard dogs. And noise after midnight seems to be accepted here. A friend who runs a hotel in the neighborhood worries that the loud music from a nearby surf bar is bothering his guests, but he hasn't formally complained to anyone. We have tried to buy an anti-bark (shock) collar for Diablo & haven't been able to find one here, in a city of almost a million people (& what seems like as many dogs)!

The Supermarket Sausage Incident

So.. Jen & I went shopping at a supermarket (Chedraui) today & picked up some groceries. Among our discoveries was some "salchicha zwan viiena." They are very tasty, only about $5/kilogram, & may be named after a cool band...









Apparently, however, you need to be very careful when you buy this stuff. You may have noticed that I wrapped the tray in a plastic bag before I snapped the photo above.

Extending My Travel Guard Health Insurance

Before arriving in Mexico, I bought an "emergency medical" policy with Travel Guard Insurance. It was, I have to say, by far the least expensive policy I found: under $2/day for $2 million in coverage & no deductible (I think). Nice.



Travel Guard Insurance Home Page