amir
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Trip Report -– Todos Santos to Portland/Oregon 24 Oct 2007
Hola Nomads,
Just returned from a round trip to Portland, Oregon, where we had a successful family reunion. We saw two of our three children whom I hadn’t seen
for 1 ˝ years since we moved to Todos Santos. Got to meet for the first time our first granddaughter; it was her first birthday and she entertained us
to the delight of everyone.
Coincidentally, my son, who lives in Spain and came to this gathering, has the same birthday so we had a nice double pachanga.
[Edited on 11-1-2007 by amir]
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amir
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We flew instead of driving, so I don’t have a road report, but do have a flying report: All that security stuff is a crock of sh*t. In San Diego we
had to switch planes, but instead of rechecking our luggage we made it to the airport lobby to rearrange our suitcases. Then an attendant who happened
to be walking by took our luggage through the security area without being checked again.
On the way back the plane stopped again in San Diego. They made everybody get off the plane to do a security check. That didn’t make me feel very
secure because we had already been in it for the first leg of the trip. To inconvenience passengers and instill fear is what I think all this is
about. Here in the Los Cabos airport they x-ray the bags on the way OUT of the airport. Go figure!
At all airport security checks it was my beard that they focused on; every time they asked me the standard questions: Do you have any liquids? Do you
have any explosives? But then they asked me if I had any shaving cream or shaving lotions. I thought these guys were supposed to be serious! But it
was worth a good laugh every time…
On the way up there was a lot of smoke in the San Diego area. There were some fires still burning and plumes of smoke rising from many blackened
hilltops. I didn’t keep up with the news so I hope this catastrophe is under control. My prayers to all million + people that were evacuated, and
condolences to all those families who lost their homes and possessions to the fires.
[Edited on 11-1-2007 by amir]
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amir
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Portland was sunny but cold. I had a tee-shirt, shirt, long-sleeve flannel shirt, down jacket, wool hat and long pants, and was still cold. Was so
glad to remove all those extra layers when I got back; now I am again in my Baja garb, shorts and tee-shirt. Oh, how I love the climate in paradise!
Two other points to comment on about this trip. The tree foliage in Portland is turning colors and it was beautiful! Yellows and oranges and reds,
and cushions of leaves on the ground, and the smells of autumn in the air… I do miss the trees of Oregon.
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amir
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The other comment is about the people. It seemed like everyone wears blinders and nobody acknowledges you in any way. I felt invisible; there is no
eye contact, no c-cking of the head, no waving of hands, no “hola”, no “Buenos dias”, nada! Here in Baja the people are so much more friendlier. Here
there is a connection between people that is heart-warming and sincere. There, in the big city everyone is a stranger and people live in their own
little worlds oblivious to their surroundings. The “coldness” in all respects was striking.
When I got back it felt like I was back in my vacation home, even though this place is neither a vacation nor retirement for me. The first evening
upon return I focused on the sounds of the pounding surf, the crickets, the vastness of the starry sky, the tranquility. This is my home now and I am
grateful for my new life in Baja so much that I really appreciate having been away for a week so I can remember how lucky I am to have had the courage
to let go of what I had in Oregon so I could start anew in Todos Santos.
End of Trip Report
--Amir
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Natalie Ann
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Nice report, Amir. What a pretty child, your grandaughter.
Oh so much I miss the autumn colors of my first home in Illinois. Your foliage photos tossed me back into that time, when such glorious colors were
just outside my door. Thank you for the report and especially those trees.
Nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Skipjack Joe
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Where have I seen that child before?
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Paulina
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Your grandaughter is beautiful, love those eyelashes! Glad you had a safe journey.
P<*)))><
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Gnome-ad
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Just a quick post here. Thanks, sweetie, for posting the trip report and the surprise picture of the not so little baby ...
Skipjack Joe,  good observation. She weighed a healthy 25lbs 8 oz at her first year check up. 95th per centile for height and weight. Her dad is 6'4"
so not too much of a surprise that she's a whopper!
Portland continues to be cool and crisp with beautiful fall colors ... rain to follow I'm sure. Rest of clan will ariive from L.A. on Sunday. A great
visit so far.
The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well. - Ancis
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Sallysouth
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What a beautiful child and great report as well! Nice pics and so glad you are enjoying your new life in Baja! Hopefully it won't be too long for me
either!
Happiness is just a Baja memory away...
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Ken Bondy
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Wonderful pictures and words amir. And what a beautiful granddaughter. Grandkids are the best thing that can happen to a person. Thanks for the
report, ++Ken++
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Baja Bernie
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Amir
Thanks for posting the picture of your granddaughter.....seeing the future is always refreshing.
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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docsmom
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Wonderful pictures and words amir. And what a beautiful granddaughter. Grandkids are the best thing that can happen to a person. Thanks for the
report, ++Ken++ |
Can't say it any better than that Ken.
Thanks Amir.
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David K
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DITTO!
Thanks Amir... it was a great report with beautiful photos too!!
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Osprey
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Amir, thanks for the words and stunning photos. You and I still have our seasons -- the trick is to pay attention. Right now the one time jungle is
withering in the canyons and arroyos of the Lagunas. Before the leaves die and fall they make subtle changes -- the lomboy goes through 10 shades of
green/yellow, the mala mujer bursts into Kelly green just before it gives up to the winter drought, palo blanco leaves turn the color of sawdust.
Mountain plumeria becomes chartreuse just before their long hibernation. There is a comforting predictability at work here -- the aspens won't grow
new leaves in the winter cold, the lomboy won't get another drop of rain until about the middle of August.
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Gadget
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Beautiful grandbaby Amir and Gnome-ad. Les and I are so ready for our first. Oh and the Baja reconnect, very powerful thoughts about folks. We sure
felt it when we got back to SD. We're talking with our contacts regularly down there. Could be somthing happening soon! 
[Edited on 11-3-2007 by Gadget]
"Mankind will not be judged by their faults, but by the direction of their lives." Leo Giovinetti
See you in Baja
http://www.LocosMocos.com
Gadget |
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amir
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You people are SO seet! 
You must all be, or soon to be, grandparents yourselves...
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bacquito
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Great photos and pretty grandchild.
bacquito
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vivaloha
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Amir-just like the other crew has noted...
Great photos and nice sharing!
Has a Northwest swell hit Todos just
yet?
Baja California can be a heaven or hell experience - often the determining factor is your AWARENESS in the moment.
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amir
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Huh?
| Quote: | Originally posted by vivaloha
... Has a Northwest swell hit Todos just
yet? |
Better ask a surfer, they might know what that is... 
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vivaloha
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sorry about that Amir...i thought you may be in touch with
the waves and stuff..no worries...
Baja California can be a heaven or hell experience - often the determining factor is your AWARENESS in the moment.
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