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fishbuck
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Trip report: Bahia Asuncion. Part 1 "The Gascan man of Catavina and Gottapeso"
I was cruising about 90mph on the stretch north of the BOLA turnoff. I was still basking in the glow of the great time I had the days before.
My eyes did their autoscan of the instrument panel. A few momments later the light bulb in my head went on and I realized I was going to run out of
gas.
How could this happen? I've never even come close to running out.
I guess I got just a little to "manana" on this trip. Plus I had just spent some hours of "quality" time with my new found girlfriend from Vicaino
before I left. That after a full night of even more "quality" time.
Well, however I screwed up it was about to turn serious. The low fuel light went on at El Pedregoso.
When I went past the Bola turn I saw the Gascan man at his station. I decided to pull over and check my map incase I might need to turn around and go
back.
It was closer to Catavina but still about 30 miles and right at my "Low Fuel" light range.
But would the "Gascan man of Catavina" be there on Christmas eve so late in the day? What choice did I have. Worst thing is I'm spending Christmas in
Catavina. If I make it...
29 gut churning miles later I still wasn't there. Like I said, about 30 miles.
Finally I could see the town still a few miles away and began to wonder if I would need to walk the last couple. And also realized that there are many
places where you can't pull off the road if you needed to. Could I drive down into that ditch if I needed too? Could I get out?
Sure as hell better than leaving your trucK sitting in the middle of the road while you walk to town.
Come on Old Green (my truck) help me out here a little.
Old Green had mercy on me and took me all the way to town. A new record of about 35 miles on empty. Don't think I'll try that again.
I spotted the Gascan man's truck but no man. Where was he. Were his cans empty from all the stupid gringos passing by today?
I got out of my truck to look around and before I even closed the door I hear "Gotta peso for me bro?"
How in the hell does that guy sneak up on me so quick? If you have ever stopped at Catavina you know who I'm talking about.
"No I don't gotta peso for you".
This guy is a gringo who must live in the rocks and asks each and every car that stops "gotta peso?"
The Gascan man sees me and comes running over. 180 pesos for 5 gallons. I need 6 to make it to El Rosario which is 76 miles per the map. 6 gallons
gets me 90 miles so I have a little cushion. 220 pesos or about $17. A little under $3 gallon.
Not much more than the Pemex.
I get my gas and pay the man. I pull up to the tienda for some beer and when I get out I hear "Gotta peso for me"
"I told you over at the Gascan man's truck that I don't have a peso for you. Why did you ask me again?"
"Oh well I thought you got one for me"
I shake my head and go into the store. I come back out and there's Gottapeso standing by my truck.
"Gotta peso for me"
"No!"
I don't even ask why this time. I'm anxious to get in my truck and go and try and get to San Quintin and my hotel room with heat and unlimited hot
water before dark.
I'm much more relaxed now and let my mind wander back to the activities of the last day. I like driving alone with just my thoughts for company.
I would have loved to stay for a few more days. My new friend Juan Jonesie from B. Asuncion was heading back with his new girlfriend from Vizcano and
had invited me and mine back too. Seems his buddy Paco is some kind of Jefe back in Asuncion and there is going to be a big Christmas party.
But I didn't feel like fishing anymore this trip and I needed to be home for Christmas to spend some time with my hijo. Still a long way to go.
Jonesie, what a character. But I guess he'll have to wait until part 2...
Saludos!
[Edited on 12-27-2008 by fishbuck]
[Edited on 12-27-2008 by fishbuck]
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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I feel a Strawberry Fields Forever moment coming on.............
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David K
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Good story fishbuck! Never met 'Gottapeso' before... You would think the local policia would hand him over to immigration?
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Ken Bondy
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YeeeeeeHaaaaaw!!! Go fishbuck!! You are my new hero!! Jeez, saying no to the Gottapeso man THREE times!! I never made it past two. Can't wait for
Part 2 
Seriously, that was a great read.
carpe diem!
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shari
Select Nomad
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Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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So...ummm fishbuck...if this is part one of the Asuncion trip...what happened to the asuncion part??? I guess your new "quality" novia erased your
memory...jejejeje...we saw jonseys new "ride" which was pretty funny cause we saw him cruise by and thought he had a big dog in the front of his
rhino...jejeje...nice hairdo...
Now david..."gotta peso guy" is a baja legend...i'm amazed you have never seen him...we have never NOT seen him when we stop for beer and to visit
juans aunt in catavinia...
glad you got what ya needed fishbuck...some fish and nooky...merry xmas
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by shari
So...ummm fishbuck...if this is part one of the Asuncion trip...what happened to the asuncion part??? I guess your new "quality" novia erased your
memory...jejejeje...we saw jonseys new "ride" which was pretty funny cause we saw him cruise by and thought he had a big dog in the front of his
rhino...jejeje...nice hairdo...
Now david..."gotta peso guy" is a baja legend...i'm amazed you have never seen him...we have never NOT seen him when we stop for beer and to visit
juans aunt in catavinia...
glad you got what ya needed fishbuck...some fish and nooky...merry xmas |
Last time stopped in Cataviña for some gas was a while ago (2003 maybe?)... Stop at Rancho Santa Ynez more, like last year on our trip to Mision Santa
Maria with TheSquarecircle and Blanche.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Location: Sonora
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Somebody needs to retell the Legend of GottaPeso. I cant remember all the things he claimed to me...........well, except that his planned venture into
strawberries in the Catavina area was the inspiration for John Lennon' song.
I think I also remember something about Marilyn Monroe and maybe Natalie Wood.
Funny how all the people who could corroborate his stories are dead...............
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bajabif
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good read. please finish it before you disappear into the jungle for months meditating
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capt. mike
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i always wondered.... is it "nookie" or "nooky"....!!??
the spelling i mean...
and why is it called that?
does wikipedia do slang terms?
Bucky - did you write pulp novels in your past lives?
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Osprey
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Nice trip report Buck. Now you've really got me thinking. I'm gonna start watching my pesos. Great financial advice there in your travelogue. Never
know when you're gonna need the peso you may have given to some wastrell. I get like this at Christmas time, money saving time.
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Santiago
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Fish-hawk: I think I spot the subtle sarcasim and I don't disagree but this guy is legendary for his putznah and a lot like a small dog who has fallen
in love with your leg. The cuteness wears off real quick. On my last trip down he hit me up going to and from my truck in the parking lot of the
tienda, I then drove all of 50' to the parking lot of the cafe where he hit me up again. 30 minutes later, sure enough, he's waiting for me to come
out so I buy a coffee-to-go (it was windy and cold) and give it to him. As I'm backing out of the lot he's throwing the coffee in the trash. OK,
maybe he's a tea drinker - I don't know. I suspect the light in his eye is the reflection of burning napalm from 40 years ago and it just won't go
out.
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Osprey
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Santiago, you're right. My bad. Nobody likes to be pestered. But, now that I think he might be a burned out veteran, that's another reason to stiff
him. Some times I'm just too quick to judge others.
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Diver
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I met this guy in Mulege about 5-6 years ago.
I hear he stiffed the owner of Equipales for some bad checks and left town.
He actually bought us a drink and then got us for those and 3 more when he dissappeared before paying.
I always ask him for the money when I see him in Catavinia ! 
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Santiago
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
Santiago, you're right. My bad. Nobody likes to be pestered. But, now that I think he might be a burned out veteran, that's another reason to stiff
him. Some times I'm just too quick to judge others. |
Touche - I quit - you win.
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Miette
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Great story fishbuck!
Did you know that according to my Mother and Patrick F. McManus, you can get an unmeasurable amount of mileage out of an empty gas tank using the
following technique:
When you are quite certain that you are riding on fumes, you need to lean towards the steering wheel, clutch the steering wheel in a death grip at ten
and two, and then begin to rock rhythmically from your waist in a forward and back motion. It helps to repeat over and over, "Come on! Come on!"
As you become more concerned about all the dire factors that running out of gas present, you can move into phase two:
Same position and phrase as above, but now you increase the rhythm and the force of the rocking movements. If you are doing this correctly you will
get a nice bounce off the seat back and the steering wheel; I recommend getting just a light bounce off the steering wheel, for rather obvious
reasons.
It also helps if beads of sweat pop out of your scalp and begin to trickle in all directions. The sweat that trickles into your eyes can cover the
fact that you might be involuntarily crying at this point. The sweat dripping down your back will keep your shirt sticking to your back instead of
slowing down your movement by sticking to the seat.
The voicing of "Come on!" will quite naturally turn into "Come On baby!" This will lead to the speaking of tongues eventually with variations
of "Baby, I said, Commmmmmmmmme Onnnnnnnnnnnn!" and then the whispered, pleading version, "come on come on. Then you will pass through the five stages of almost running out of gas:
* Denial (this isn't happening to me!)
* Anger (why is this happening to me?)
* Bargaining (I promise this will never happen again if...)
* Depression (I don't care anymore)
* Acceptance (I'm ready for whatever comes)
The third and final stage is notable by the fact that you are simply clutching the wheel and leaning forward and rigidly staring out the windshield.
You may or may not be capable of speech at this point. Your scalp, neck, upper back, lower back, and arm muscles will be spasmodic, and depending on
the length of time involved, the lactic acid burn will begin to make itself known.
If you are lucky, this is when the vision of the Gas Man will appear. Since you had been properly communing with nature just prior to your gas vision
quest, you rather easily found the Gas Man.
**************************
As for most beggars, I have a strict no-engagement policy. I do not look at them, I do not speak to them, I do not acknowledge their existence. If I
am in a weakened state and wish to speed up the process of disengagement, I will slowly begin to look them in the eye, wait a moment until I have
their complete attention, and then suddenly bark sharply and directly at then - yup, just like an upset dog.
This method has never failed me. No one wants to deal with crazy. Not even other crazy people. I simply bark sharply three times while never breaking
my stride and proceed to take care of my business.
I think it was George Carlin that said in his act, "No one likes to deal with crazy." I believe he gave some other examples, but I just adapted this
information to my dealing with any sort of bothersome person. Especially those that are a bit too persistent. Non-engagement works pretty darn well.
It doesn't give the other person any sort of leverage. Once you speak to them, they tend to mistake this for the beginning of a conversation.
Not to poke at you in any way, but I would like to read a prequel to this report - or did Juan and Shari's libations disable certain recall circuits.
It's been known to happen. ;^)
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
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Mood: Want to fish!!!
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One of many characters you can count on to brighten your Baja escapades Fishbuck. All 3 trips to BCS I have seen and spoke to him. A very well
acomplished bum. The first time I took my wife to Bahia Concepcion we stopped for a soda and beer, he came up behind her and scared her. Now she gives
him a couple pesos and laughs at a story or two. 6 meetings and so far he has been harmless. Must be a rough life in those rocks. You sure must have
had other things on your mind to even come close to running out. LMAO
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Gadget
Senior Nomad
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Location: Point Loma CA
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Mood: Blessed with another day
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Miette
Great story fishbuck!
Did you know that according to my Mother and Patrick F. McManus, you can get an unmeasurable amount of mileage out of an empty gas tank using the
following technique:
When you are quite certain that you are riding on fumes, you need to lean towards the steering wheel, clutch the steering wheel in a death grip at ten
and two, and then begin to rock rhythmically from your waist in a forward and back motion. It helps to repeat over and over, "Come on! Come on!"
As you become more concerned about all the dire factors that running out of gas present, you can move into phase two:
Same position and phrase as above, but now you increase the rhythm and the force of the rocking movements. If you are doing this correctly you will
get a nice bounce off the seat back and the steering wheel; I recommend getting just a light bounce off the steering wheel, for rather obvious
reasons.
It also helps if beads of sweat pop out of your scalp and begin to trickle in all directions. The sweat that trickles into your eyes can cover the
fact that you might be involuntarily crying at this point. The sweat dripping down your back will keep your shirt sticking to your back instead of
slowing down your movement by sticking to the seat.
The voicing of "Come on!" will quite naturally turn into "Come On baby!" This will lead to the speaking of tongues eventually with variations
of "Baby, I said, Commmmmmmmmme Onnnnnnnnnnnn!" and then the whispered, pleading version, "come on come on. Then you will pass through the five stages of almost running out of gas:
* Denial (this isn't happening to me!)
* Anger (why is this happening to me?)
* Bargaining (I promise this will never happen again if...)
* Depression (I don't care anymore)
* Acceptance (I'm ready for whatever comes)
The third and final stage is notable by the fact that you are simply clutching the wheel and leaning forward and rigidly staring out the windshield.
You may or may not be capable of speech at this point. Your scalp, neck, upper back, lower back, and arm muscles will be spasmodic, and depending on
the length of time involved, the lactic acid burn will begin to make itself known.
If you are lucky, this is when the vision of the Gas Man will appear. Since you had been properly communing with nature just prior to your gas vision
quest, you rather easily found the Gas Man.
**************************
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Classic!!!
As well written as any of PescaBucks stuff.
"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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vgabndo
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Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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The story this time was he owned much of Hawaii before it was a state.
...also invented the hoola-hoop for those who didn't know.
For those who have not met Catavina's famous pan handler, here is "Gottapeso". Even for TEN pesos he wouldn't show me his not-so-famous smile.
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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Paulina
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Location: BCN
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Fishbuck,
Maybe if you didn't drive 90 mph. down Hwy 1 you'd get better gas milage, and live longer to boot.
"Gottapeso" also helped Jim Morrison found The Doors, Janice Joplin was his cousin, and he was directly affiliated with the Beatles (Strawberry fields
and more). He's waiting for his inheritance to come in any day now.
The last couple of times we've stopped at the tienda in Catavina we haven't seen him. He looks well fed and clean shaven in Vag's photo. Life must not
be too bad in his rocky abode.
P<*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
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Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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Miette,
Your writing is a real asset to the Nomad Board. More, More!
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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