Originally Posted by
skilsaw
Years ago I was in Brazil and my 90 day visa was due to expire soon.
The family that had befriended me said "You must go see our cousins in Londrina. They can help you."
So I went to Londrina. The cousins drove me to the border with Paraguay. There I was told to "Stay in the car, say nothing, and give me your passport." They went in to the guardhouse with my passport and came out in 5 minutes with it stamped for another 90 days.
I've always suspected that they bribed the border guard.
Have you?
The post above is correct. A few decades ago, especially in Central America, bribes were just the nature of the beast. But on my world tour from 1998-2000 I had no bribery at any border in this region. The crossings can be intimidating and sometimes frightening because there are so many officials, offices, and people swarming around. It IS BEST to keep your bike with you as much as possible; but that is probably true anywhere.
I did run into Police corruption in Vietnam. I would be staying in a cheap room or local 'hotel' when they would show up and make you go to some expensive place; I am sure they took a cut of the rent. Once or twice they tried to take some of my equipment but I usually laughed my way out of it or just rode off. Such things are supposed to be addressed by diplomats thru state channels but the Spineless US State department rarely lifts a finger, even in cases where losses are substantial.
roughstuff