BajaVida
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Location: Motown, Califas
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Mood: muy cool
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Speaking Spanish at checkpoints
I have wondered whether it is better to speak Spanish to the soldiers at the checkpoints or feign ignorance. I speak to them in Spanish and have
sometimes succeeded in getting our following rigs wiaved on through the checkpoint. But speaking Spanish allows them to hassle you more.
What do you think?
No se apure y dure.
Don\'t hurry and you\'ll last longer.
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bajarich
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I enjoy speaking Spanish at the checkpoints. I think the soldiers appreciate our trying to speak their language as do most Mexican people. It gives
me practice and I have never had a problem with them.
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Paula
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I have always spoken Spanish at the checkpoints, even on our first trip when we somehow got the impression that it was better not to. It was just so
great having the opportunity to use it. The guys seem immediately friendlier, and we have never had a problem at the checkpoints. I think what
really matters is your attitude, and friendliness gets a good response no matter what the language.
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thebajarunner
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Baja Vida also gives out left over bottles of Two Buck Chuck at selected checkpoints..... to great delight (until El Capitan appears)
Nothing bilingual there....
heh heh heh
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DavidT
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On my first trips my Baja guru told me it was best to speak english only at the checkpoints. So I did, until my trip to Mulege last October. On the
way back we were suddenly, to be politically correct, persons of interest. Our truck was the center of attention. Probably because of my bloodshot
eyes. After I told the soldiers, in my mangled spanish, that I would never, ever drink again, and if they wanted, they could have the rest of the
beer did they send us on our way.
David
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
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thebajarunner
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so, did they take the beer?
Baja Vida and I anxiously await your answer...
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Barry A.
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speaking spanish at check points------
-------I have always spoken spanish at check points, and the troopers always look at me with puzzlement, and scratch their heads, then grin, and wave
me on.
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DavidT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by thebajarunner
so, did they take the beer?
Baja Vida and I anxiously await your answer... [/quote
No, actually they just laughed and said it might cause them more trouble then it did for me. |
David
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
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tim40
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Never...after the first time....ended up giving me the extra special screen and search... Always polite, and smile, and use all the pleasantries I
know....but no more spanish at check points.
When searching for the end of your rainbow you only have until dusk....
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Gypsy Jan
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For what it's worth
a puzzled expression and then a few garbled phrases in spanish and english, including, "No entiendo" when appropriate works for us.
Also, the big dogs in the back discourage any searches (not that we have anything to hide) and we always volunteer to take the dogs out if the
soldiers wish.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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bajajudy
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I have a feeling that it doesnt matter which language you speak, its all in the luck of the draw.
Somedays peanuts, somedays shells
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Capt. George
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I agree with bajajudy...done both, very few problems. Always take off my sunglasses...some guy did a survey and he found taking off the shades caused
him less hassles...I believe. My Mexicano neighbors very much use eye contact during conversation....
I tell them I was Military and a Viet Vet and that's usaually a quick adios amigo...
Capt. George Hope I haven't offended anyone with my input. Was I politically correct..Oh my, what a meanie I am!!!
\"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men\" Plato
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Sonora Wind
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Well you chapped me off
And that's not easy, considering I'm a brother FF. I tell people they couldn't cut me with an 8 inch Knife. My skin is just to thick. Thirty five
years in the station will do that to ya. LOL I know this has something to do with Baja. I just wish I knew what!!! Please keep up the chap off part. You DO!!! make me grin.
Oh I almost porgot. I always speak english at check points. I took three years of Deuich in High school when I should have taken spanish. El Dumbo
[Edited on 3-7-2006 by Sonora Wind]
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Barry A.
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Sonora wind------
What does "chapped off" mean??
What is a "brother FF" mean??
What "station" are you referring too??
I must have missed something. (or several things??)
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Sonora Wind
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It Means
Chapped Off: To Be Upset/ unnerved/ peeed.
Brother FF: To Have At One Time Been A Member off The IAFF
Station: A Place of Employment/ Duty House/ THE FIRE STATION.
Sorry I sometimes forget the corner of the world I come from is not the place most know. sorry
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woody with a view
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to come sreaming back on topic......just practice your spanish until, in your best gringo, you throw your arms out to your sides and shrug! either
way, they're gonna do what they want, fluent or gringo....
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