I'm not sure if there's anything better than a dirty Jeep, covered in mud. It's a sure sign you just went for a heck of a ride.

I've been getting everything organized to leave Mexico and I couldn't 't resist one more spin through the mud before getting my vehicle all cleaned up and ready for the trip.

There are a lot of things that I'm going to miss about Mexico. Yes, there's some corruption - a great deal in fact. But I believe this is true of every country, including my own. In some places we just hide it better than others, but it's still there.

Here's an example. I needed a copy of my title for my Jeep and logged on to the Virginia DMV. It said in bright red letters that my driver's license had been suspended.

As I dug further, the DMV claimed that on Sept. 22, 2020, I did not have insurance on my vehicle and I owed a $700 fine for this grievous error.

Only the error was on their part. I had both American insurance and Mexican insurance. I contacted my insurance company and they quickly got on the horn to the DMV and provided them with the necessary proof I had been insured.

But the story doesn't end there.

I logged back on to find that my license was no longer suspended. It was "invalid."

Why? You may be wondering. I know I certainly was. It was invalid because I had not yet paid the $145 reinstatement fee.

Why on earth should I be charged $145 over their error? I was duly insured, never had a claim, and have a perfect driving record. Nonetheless, despite escalating my call to superiors and spending 2 hours on the phone (from Mexico to the US, so not cheap hours), I was informed that unless I paid that fee I had no driver's license.

If I was traveling across the country by myself, I would probably have just said "Eff that" and hoped for the best. But I'll have my two dogs with me and the last thing I need is to get my vehicle impounded, my belongings confiscated, and my pets taken to the shelter somewhere in the middle of the US.

So, I paid the extortion and now my license is reinstated.

And it's not just me this has happened to. One of my best friends, who lived in a different part of Virginia also had it happen to her and was forced to pay the fee. That begs the question, how many times has this occurred? How many $145 fees have they extorted from blameless people?

Let me repeat - our government is also corrupt. How is that really any different from a cop in Mexico making a tourist "pay the fine" for speeding to the cop directly?

Believe me, the story won't end here.

HOW RESILIENT ARE YOU?

I read a fascinating article on inner strength this week. Inner strength, resilience, grit - whatever you want to call it, that is the difference between success and failure in so many different situations.

We at The OP write about resilience quite a lot, because what else is prepping and survivalism if not resilience personified.

Check out this article: Inner Strength. This Is The Research-Backed Way to Increase Grit.

In a society that seems to laud victimhood, wouldn't it be nice to see more people focusing on their resilience instead?

Some of the very strongest people I know, the ones who I most admire, are the ones who have been through some of the worst experiences that life has to offer. Don't get the wrong idea here. They didn't sail through it without an emotional scratch on them.

They have come out damaged.

But that's what makes them all the more remarkable.

What they never lost was the resilience that pushed them to keep going. They live with their damage, wrestle with their demons, and they keep going. These are the people to whom I look for inspiration. They might not always feel gritty, but they push on, sometimes moment by moment.

If you have been damaged and you're still putting on foot in front of the other, no matter how small those steps may feel, just know, there are those of us who see you and we are proud of you and humbled by your strength.

STUFF TO READ

Will Summer Camp Guidance Be CDC's Next Surrender to Rationality? Wow...um...that sounds fun?
Tulsi Gabbard Slams "Abhorrent" Chicago Mayor's "Blatant Anti-White Racism" - Demands Resignation - Tulsi is one of the few politicians I have any respect for - and her claim is completely accurate.
Meat Eaters Hit Hardest as Inflation Sweeps U.S. Grocery Aisles Of course it is because that's the new "climate change" target.
A "Car Gun" for Riot Defense One of my favorite bloggers drops some inconvenient truths about dealing with rioters surrounding your car.

With just another week in Mexico to go, it was a busy one for me. I got a physical (healthy as a mule), got a new windshield in my Jeep, and got my dogs' health certificates so we can cross the border. All my gifts and souvenirs have been purchased and I'm at that awkward stage of partially packed where I can't find my black headband or the TV remote and it would be too much of a pain to dig through and locate them.

Next week I have the dentist, the dog groomer, and a couple of other appointments before I load up. You'll get one more letter from Mexico before I hit the road. I'm taking a course I'm really excited about while en route (I'll tell you more after I take it) and visiting some friends along the way.

I added a Spetnaz Cold Steel shovel to my Jeep's "tool kit" - it's a good addition for all sorts of emergencies. If ya know what I mean. 😉

I have really loved the opportunity to spend almost a year in this beautiful country. The people have been warm and generous, and Mexico will always hold a special place in my heart.

I know, I know. Here I go again about that END GAME documentary. But there are a couple of reasons.

First of all, I sincerely believe that you will find the information in the series incredibly enlightening and that it will help you to prepare. I have learned some really shocking things about the economy and what to expect during the production of this documentary. These are people who truly know their subjects and the information is vital.

Secondly - even though you are watching for free, Toby, Selco, and I, still have the opportunity to make some money for each person who registers.

So - you're helping yourselves and you're helping fund the website just by registering. As we lose more and more access to funding, your free registration helps us immensely.

LINK: https://www.ro20trk.com/6RNXHT/6JHXF/