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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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Ken, as I believe CaboRon was implying, those of us that live here full-time are in a slightly different position. I've made the drive many, many
times...probably as often alone as with someone. NEVER driven at night. I haven't made the drive for 3 years, but I definitely wouldn't make it with
the increased incidents against tourists over the past year+. If I HAD to go to the states now, I'd fly. And I'm sooooo glad I live as far south as
I do! Not that there isn't crime down here too, but just humor me & let me keep on thinking it's much safer down here!
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BajaBros
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 9-4-2006
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I've been driving and flying to Baja since the mid 60's. I raced SCORE for over 11 years. But now I won't go on the TJ/Ensenada side UNLESS I'm
caravaning with 4 or more other vehicles filled with Baja-savy travelers AND we're just passing through. Enough people have suffered at the hands of
unrestrained Baja drug a-holes that it just isn't worth the risk. When the San Felipe SCORE race moved to Ensenada last year, I pulled out of the
competition. I lost some money, but screw Ensenada. For me, Ensenada has sucked since the day twelve years ago when my second wife and I were
accosted on the street by Mexican druggies. The bloom was officially off the rose. This year I will be going to San Felipe for the SCORE race, but I
won't relax. Hopefully, the east side will remain less screwed up than the west side.
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Bernardo
Junior Nomad
Posts: 44
Registered: 12-3-2007
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bien
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I have a casita in La Paz and spend the winters there. I drive through Tecate and usually spend the nite further south than Ensenada. I only drive
during daylight hours. I do stop at a large grocery store on the west side of the main highway out of Ensenada and have absolutely no problems. I
use the ATM there to stock up on pesos and park my truck, camper and trailer in the parking lot. Grande lot so no problems with parking. I did stay
in an RV park just as the highway from Tecate hits the Ensenada highway and no problems. TJ sucks. I had enough of that place when I was in the navy
stationed in San Diego in 1956. No mas para me.
Use your heads people. Do not drive at night and stay in a gated motel or RV park. There are parts of San Diego I would not drive through at night
either and some I certainly would not spend the night in as well.
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Bajalover
Nomad
Posts: 227
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: The Cottage at Ocotillo Hills
Member Is Offline
Mood: Strongly - Missing Baja
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I really, really, really love Baja and have visited it 1000's of times during the last 30 years. YET  the crime and having to put my life on the line isn't worth the wonderful beaches and camping places in Baja. I just
wonder how BOLA camps are coping with the lack or decreased visitors? Daggets is a great place, wonder if he's full? Most likely with folks traveling
from Canada.
ONCE MEXICO'S POLITICIANS BEGIN CLEANING UP so it's safe to travel again, Hey, I'll be there.
Sorry to miss kayaking in LA Bay this year. Hopefully next year will be better again.
Sometimes you really do question; why you are and where you are.
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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Common Sense Travel Rules Apply
Travel in daylight or early evening, i.e., when locals are going to work, taking kids to school and/or returning home to family.
When you park, keep the vehicle in sight or leave a fellow travel partner in the vehicle.
Travel with dog(s) - this does not cancel the above rule.
Be aware of your surroundings - when visiting an ATM, look around and be alert, and block any one's view of what you are doing.
Don't open a wallet and flash cash in public no matter where you are. Figure out what your puchase is going to cost and separate that amount for the
transaction.
Keep in mind that Mexico is a third world country - whatever your level of income, your are still rich by their standards and eyes will follow you,
everywhere.
“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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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
over 75% still will drive to Baja.
I'm glad to hear that!
Ken
[Edited on 1-9-2008 by tripledigitken] |
Ken...don't know how you are figuring, but the first three lines all mean the same thing and added together it is closer to 50/50....
An outright condemnation of Baja Norte if you ask me....
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Travel in daylight or early evening, i.e., when locals are going to work, taking kids to school and/or returning home to family.
When you park, keep the vehicle in sight or leave a fellow travel partner in the vehicle.
Travel with dog(s) - this does not cancel the above rule.
Be aware of your surroundings - when visiting an ATM, look around and be alert, and block any one's view of what you are doing.
Don't open a wallet and flash cash in public no matter where you are. Figure out what your puchase is going to cost and separate that amount for the
transaction.
Keep in mind that Mexico is a third world country - whatever your level of income, your are still rich by their standards and eyes will follow you,
everywhere. |
Jan...not trying to do battle and what you say will help for sure...but I have got to say WHY....
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
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Al,
the second question refers to avoiding the toll road, but still driving. the fourth question no change to traveling, currently those 2 total 7o
percent, when I posted it was 75 percent. Doesn't imply an affirmation of baja norte just the willingness of 7O percent of voters to still venture
south.
ken
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Sorry Ken...I thought we were Talking "Has recent border crime altered your trips to Baja? "
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 824
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty
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Gypsy Jan makes nothing but sense. Since we have homes outside of Rosarito and Mulege we travel a lot in Baja and have for over 40 years. When I was
younger and single I created any problems that really occured.
Now, older and hopefully a little wiser we have very few problems and we are there often, either surfing in the Rosarito area or hanging in Mulege.
Use your common sense and you should be problem free. I would say just act like you would in Oakland at night but I would hear from too many
Oaklandites I'm sure. I still know our 13 yr old daughter is safer in Baja then in the states..........
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8923
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Its Pole Line Road time
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In March '07, I bought a 1 year Insurance policy so I could go whenever I wanted. I still go to Baja, just not like I did prior to 9/11 due to crowds
and lines at the border. I feel bad for those hurt/injured along Hwy 1 between Ensenada & TJ. I still love it there...
Trying to clear a boulder on Basketball Hill along the legendary Pole Line Road - Baja, Mexico...
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dean miller
Nomad
Posts: 456
Registered: 1-28-2004
Member Is Offline
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We missed a spring trip due to illness.
We missed Thanksgiving due to visitors
We missed Christmas due to illness.
Unless the Mexican government restores order we are seriously considering joining the ranks of David and visit SW USA, and I have been visiting Baja
since December 1951
If circumstances had allowed Baja travel we would have significantly altered our travel routine, which in past has included a late afternoon crossing
at TJ, driving at night on toll road, through Ensenada to Santo Tomas and over nighting down the hill way in the back with our last hook up at El
Palomar...
sdm
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
Member Is Offline
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I will avoid Baja for the time being, not because of my fear of crime but because of the general degradation of Baja overall. My wife and I spent 2
weeks driveing around BCS this last summer and spent another week flying into Loreto and driving around, the Baja of today just does't do it for me
anymore. They say you can't go back, they are right after more than 40 years visiting Baja, the changes are too much. I always thought I would have a
little casita in Baja for my retirement but now I will have to look elsewhere.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
Member Is Offline
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It is interesting to me how this tends to take on a life of it's own. The police harrasment and mordida has been going on for as long as I can
remember and everyone used to talk about it and most kept a small stash of dollar bills to get out of any scrape with officials that they crossed
paths with. It was a part of the story and lore of Mexico travel. The highjackings were a different matter and did strike fear in the heart of
travelers. Most people are already a little uncomfortable when they come into a foreign land with strange language and customs and it is easy to have
that fear magnified when these stories abound. Even though I have been coming to Mexico since the early 70's, speak the language, and understand a
fair amount of the culture, I admit that I always breath a sigh of relief when I cross the border back into the US. Even though I hear a lot of
negatives about the political structure and goings on of the US, it is obvious that people are able to travel freely and securely in the US. When we
had an outbreak of shootings and violence in the Southeast and Florida, it was a very short time until peace and order were reestablished. When I
went to Florida to pick up a new boat two years ago, we found one or sometimes two security guards in the rest areas and were able to feel very safe
spending the night in the camper.
But for all these years you had the adventurer who chose to travel to Baja because things were more primitive and uncontrolled, but it was more like
a Disneyland trip where everyone thought they could camp on the beaches (safely) and travel wherever they wanted (safely) and not have to fear
violence. I guess that the illusion is finally over and people are begining to make choices about how far outside of their envelope they are willing
to go. I certainly travel with more apprehension now and do not do some of the things I did when I was younger and more foolish, but I am also aware
that I have a long ways to go before I am not going to winter in Baja.
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
Member Is Offline
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Non-scientific poll to be certain, but, with the pessimistic news and conversations lately, why 50% "no effect"?
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pescador
The police harrasment and mordida has been going on for as long as I can remember and everyone used to talk about it and most kept a small stash of
dollar bills to get out of any scrape with officials that they crossed paths with. |
It has been going on forever but, like cancer, it doesn't stay in early stages. It grows until it kills.
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Peacefull
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Pescador
The police harrasment and mordida has been going on for as long as I can remember and everyone used to talk about it and most kept a small stash of
dollar bills to get out of any scrape with officials that they crossed paths with. |
It has been going on forever but, like cancer, it doesn't stay in early stages. It grows until it kills. |
Well said Dennis.
CaboRon
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
jdtrotter, You've got more homes than a lot of people.
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Probably because these fine people have worked hard and saved their money.
Congrats on your new home in Baja by the way. |
I would love to have a third home in Montana.
Flying is not an option for us---unless we can hire a plane that is small enough to land at our airstrip here and still carry two adults, two dogs,
and a pick-up size load (packed real full) of goodies---guess we will still drive. :
One thing that has changed for us is who we stop for on the highways. On our dirt road, we stop for almost anyone. On the road to Vizcaino we are
guilty of profiling--older, families, etc., but three young men---no. We have been warned by people here that some people from this pueblo have been
robbed by people stopped on that highway so we need to be careful.
We know crime can happen to anyone and know it has grown. Then again, someone mentioned Hawaii---last time my sister was there, she and her group
were robbed at gun point.
For the sake of the people in Baja, we do hope more will be done---so bad for the business people up north.
Diane
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9006
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajadock
Non-scientific poll to be certain, but, with the pessimistic news and conversations lately, why 50% "no effect"? |
I questioned that earlier in the thread, too. Within the first 20 or so votes, the "no-effect" vote grew dramatically...........yet presumably those
same posters were admitting to altering their departure schedules in their comments. That is NOT "no-effect", especially when your travels take you
farther south than BOLA, which mine usually did. I would count on doing some driving in the dark on the toll roads and through Ensenada, both coming
and going. With that disappearing as an option, it's like adding a half day of driving and added o'night expenses to each trip. That's not desireable,
for persons with a finite number of vacation days. Retirees and people with jobs that dont accrue paid vacations probably arent affected.
Gypsy Jan's comments are true enough. But I'm not sure her destination requires here to drive at night at all to get there. And her other precautions
apply mostly to the Gauntlet, IMO.
[Edited on 1-10-2008 by Hook]
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajadock
Non-scientific poll to be certain, but, with the pessimistic news and conversations lately, why 50% "no effect"? |
Possibly those "no effect" folks have been crossing at Tecate and don't use the Toll Road. With the questions as presented they would fall in the "no
effect" catagory.
Ken
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