clubfred
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 1-12-2006
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Strange request - seeking help with research
Hi Nomads,
I'm starting research for a novel that will be set at a (fictional) military checkpoint in Baja. I'd like to connect with someone who could provide
details on the day-to-day lives of the folks who are posted at those checkpoints, or someone who could connect me with someone, etc. Too many
questions to list here. Also, my Spanish is pretty basic, at best, just BTW.
Any help would be most appreciated (and likely get you a credit in the acknowledgements)!
Thanks in advance.
And before the inevitable trolling, lol...
I've been going down to Baja since 1998 and so have passed through my fair share of military checkpoints. I know them well from the *outside*. I need
to know them well from the inside. As for my writing creds, I have been writing professionally since 2005. Currently have four novels (SF) out and the
fifth will be out this May, plus a bunch of short stories, awards, yadda yadda yadda. You can Google "Kristene Perron" if you need to fact check.
tl;dr = "This ain't my first rodeo"
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nandopedal
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Posts: 167
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Location: San Diego Ca
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Mood: Negra Modelo
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Good luck with that kind of digging, I was born and raise in Baja did a year of military service (Only one because I was a student at the time) and in
those days that was the law. The Mexican military is super tight with divulging any kind of info unlike for example US where you can get advisers for
Hollywood or other endeavors pertaining to military activities.
\"There are many dangers in Baja. The most serious of which is not going.\" Christophe Noel (EXPO)
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
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Location: OC So Cal
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I think that correct, it is said to even be illegal to photograph Govt. buildings. Short of finding a Mex Army guy that had been
stationed at a checkpoint, don't know where you could find info.
I imagine it is pure boredom sitting at checkpoint, save the
occasional weed find. Before they had real barracks, the guys
no. of San Felipe would literally sleep on the ground, under a blanket, under
blue plastic tarps
hung from Ocitillo's. Had a guy wanting to buy my sleeping bag,
as it gets cold in the winter. Went thru the checkpoint so. of Ensenada,
had a glue plunger used to repair an inflatable, Army guy pulls
it out of the glove compartment demanding to know what it was,
thought went thru my mind he mistook it for some sort of
hypodermic
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clubfred
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 1-12-2006
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Thanks. Yes, I realize this will be difficult, hence why I'm starting my search early. I've found one connection but would love to get other input.
I've long pitied those poor guys stuck out there in the wind and cold, not to mention the boredom. Things seem a wee bit better now but...still a
tough gig.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13165
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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good luck and I will ask around cause you never know.
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Paco Facullo
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Posts: 1301
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Location: Here now
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Mood: Abiding ..........
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Heck about six months ago going through the checkpoint before Guerrero Negro one of the Guy's inspecting my car noticed a bottle of Don Julio plata
that I had.
They commented on it and I then offered them a un traga ( a shot ) they immediately replied si claro ( of course )
Well I broke out my special shot glasses that I always carry and proceeded to pour shots all around, Salute, Salute !
It was quite a fun and unexpected time .....
I was hoping that the same guy's were there the last time I went through with my pot smoking friend but no buddy recognized me, darn !
[Edited on 3-8-2018 by Paco Facullo]
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TMW
Select Nomad
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Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Have you asked the officer in charge of a check point? He might give you a contact to call upon. Have you tried going thru the military channels in
Mexico?
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Ask Ken Bondy!
Ken has a pretty good relationship with the desert troops of Baja!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many years ago, when Nomad was young, we had a Nomad named 'SeaTwill' and he gave me a photo to share on VivaBaja.com: http://www.vivabaja.com/checkpoints.html
[Edited on 3-9-2018 by David K]
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 634
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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A few of my observations that might add interest/excitement for novel writing:
Temporary checkpoints and campsites on dirt roads in the Sierra de Juarez, a trafficking route going north to avoid paved highways.
Open meadows and fields trenched and brush covered to "trip" and crash drug-smuggling aircraft.
Sandbagged small bunkers at/near highway checkpoints. Rope (pull cord) leading from the bunker across the road to deploy spike strips.
Cartels known to have heavy firepower, incl. RPGs.
Age of some of the soldiers appear to be young; look 16 or 17.
Dirt road temp checkpoints, my offer of cold beer on hot days declined. Leave the beer on the side of the road anyway. Watch the mad scramble in my
rear view mirror seconds later!
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13033
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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I have the perfect fellow for you to interview....he is now a tourism guide and speaks english and is very helpful and loves to spread knowledge. He
is an ex military captain here in GN. Look up Zihul Martinez on facebook and tell him I sent you! He is a wealth of information on alot of subjects
including natural history
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micah202
Super Nomad
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Location: vancouver,BC
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Yah, that's why I occasionally hand out playing cards,, sometimes before, sometimes after an inspection.
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clubfred
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 1-12-2006
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Quote: Originally posted by shari  | | I have the perfect fellow for you to interview....he is now a tourism guide and speaks english and is very helpful and loves to spread knowledge. He
is an ex military captain here in GN. Look up Zihul Martinez on facebook and tell him I sent you! He is a wealth of information on alot of subjects
including natural history |
Fantastic! Thanks so much, Shari. I will look him up!
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clubfred
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 1-12-2006
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Thanks, Blanca!
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clubfred
Junior Nomad
Posts: 84
Registered: 1-12-2006
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K |
Ken has a pretty good relationship with the desert troops of Baja!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many years ago, when Nomad was young, we had a Nomad named 'SeaTwill' and he gave me a photo to share on VivaBaja.com: http://www.vivabaja.com/checkpoints.html
[Edited on 3-9-2018 by David K] |
Will do, thanks!
Will do!
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BajaTed
Senior Nomad
Posts: 859
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Location: Bajamar
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The other common way to end up interacting with the military is at election time. Checkpoints are very animated then, lotsa guns on display
No booze, everyone edgy with glum faces expect for the politicos
Es Todo Bueno
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2237
Registered: 4-23-2006
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then there are the checkpoints in chihuahua and Durango that are staffed by heavily armed plainclothes fellows. sometimes friendly sometimes scary.
got to be a story there.
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Juanita
Junior Nomad
Posts: 96
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: San Ignacio, Baja California Sur
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life at a checkpoint
Good idea for a book. I'd like to know more about life at a checkpoint. One spring day here in San Ignacio I was pruning the roses up in the mission
garden and one of the military came up and asked me to save the cuttings for the rose garden at the checkpoint west of town. I don't know if they had
success with the roses, but they have created a very respectable display of native cactus in the highway divider barrier.
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
3-11-2018 at 04:14 PM |
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