Being locked down with a family I barely knew and prepping for survival and possible evacuation, with 2 young kids, during a Mexican cartel war
May 17, 2026 @ 11:55 am - 12:30 pm
About Session
| Description of talk: Jay Noone will speak about his experience living in Puerto Vallarta with an expat family—comprised of two parents and their young children—residing among local communities outside the typical beach resort areas. During their stay, they found themselves approximately 4,000 feet from what appeared to be a cartel versus military shootout. They witnessed dark smoke rising from burning vehicles and heard gunfire coming from multiple directions. In his talk, Jay will describe how he approached the situation from a survival perspective, including how he mentally prepared for a potential escape and how he strategized to make himself useful and valuable in the event of capture. He reflects on what he interprets as a possible connection between the incident and broader intelligence dynamics, framing the experience as a personal initiation into what he calls the “Year of the Fire Horse.” He will expand on this symbolic lens and its significance in his narrative. Upon returning to New Hampshire, Jay encountered and worked with an individual who had grown up alongside El Mencho. Through this connection, he gained insights that helped contextualize and connect elements of his experience in Mexico. Jay will also share how he formed a meaningful spiritual connection with staff at the Westin Hotel, emphasizing how he sought to be helpful and bring value in every environment he entered during his travels. Overall, he describes the experience as both positive and eye-opening—not only for himself, but also for the English-speaking expat community and Mexican locals he interacted with—highlighting his perspective on the importance of self-defense and the ability for everyday people to bear arms. |
