BajaNomad - Common Connections

Common Connections

lindsay - 6-22-2005 at 09:46 PM

Today at the school where I work with international students learning English, we had a class about commonalities the students discover between their culture and the U.S.

So, this got me thinking about my own discoveries with my family in San Diego and my daughter's family in Mulege. My time in Mulege has and continues to reinforce how two very different, on the surface, families share shades of many everyday moments and experiences.

Abuela in Mulege laments the consumption level of Sabritas and sodas by some of her nietos while "Ba-Ma" in San Diego says Sara must balance out her end of the school year pizza and cake celebration with next dinner's cooked carrot quota. In both places, I wonder how the kids process their cultures' messages on weight. Does being referred to as gordo/a roll off the kid's back because it's just how people address you casually like other names, guero, moreno, flaco, chaparito, etc. For one of Sara's cousins, it's common for the relatives to insert gorda when telling a story that includes her just as others in the family are referred to as guero, another is china and one aunt is flaquita. There is no mean spirited-ness or negativity in this gorda. While in San Diego, my 4-year came back from pre-school one day in a funk. I asked why and she sadly whined that she did not like her once favorite sundress anymore. I asked why and she said because it made her look fat.

I look at the two worlds and see the everyday with different shades of experience. Interesting how one word can at times be so neutral in one place and send a kid into tears in another.

In the holiday world, Mulege has every school proudly march through town on September 16th, all in coordinated costumes, some on decorated pick-up truck beds, others dancing or forming human pyramids; all celebrating Independence Day. In La Jolla, all the family heads for Bird Rock to watch the kids go down the street for the home-grown block party and parade on the 4th of July. In Mulege and La Jolla, both parades end with food...at Mulege's Campo de Beisbol we feast on tamales, tostados, horchata, are you hungry yet?? and in Bird Rock the hot dogs, lemonade and brownies are on tap....Mulege takes the prize for best after parade munchies in this cultural moment but the brownies are great!!

Hope that these memories don't make this post ramble and snore too much but I've been fortunate to have these two families. It probably is cliche to say that we learn much from others who may seem very different from us. Despite growing up in San Diego, I went to live in Mulege with a very limited knowledge of Mexico and its culture when I worked with the local high school there. I was fortunate to be in a community that opened its world to me and graciously let me be curious so I could better understand this culture.

So, I was thinking about all this after reading the board for the past several weeks and the different voices commenting on how some can't or don't want to explore how the two cultures have shades of both commonality and contrast. I've read JR's views on Americans and their presence in Baja California's communities. I have seen the people he describes who don't want to learn Spanish, who lament "why don't they do it like we do", sacastically joke about Mexicans and other behavior that is embarassing. But in the spirit of ying-yang and the other side of the coin theme, I have met non-Mexican nationals who live in local neighborhoods not enclaves, shop local and make Mexican friends through their genuine respect and curiosity about Mexican culture. The hard part is the louder and less curious crowd often overshadows the other one. After working with students from dozens of countries, they have taught me this same lesson which leads us back to the opening of my post...yep, this is almost over...thanks for hanging in this long!! At the end of today's lesson at the English school in La Jolla, a Mexican kid (actually not a kid but 25) in my class sums up his view on the lesson's topic about commonlaties between our cultures..."Each country, we are like that movie title, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly", no matter which country we talk about, we all have it". I thought that was a great wrap so I'll steal it with his permission ( I told him that I would show him this post at school tomorrow) to end this post. Thanks for letting us share some thoughts.

Debra - 6-22-2005 at 10:12 PM

Good read Lindsay, your student is right "Good, Bad and Ugly" we are more alike than we sometimes think.

Osprey - 6-23-2005 at 06:02 AM

In my little corner of Mexico it's about celebrating our differences. To do that you need a little Spanish, be a little curious and be a good listener -- you have to first discover the culture that exists where you live. Only then can you feel the texture of the life of the village, the people. My most courteous Mexican neighbors don't try to fit in with us gringos and I don't try to insinuate myself into their society -- we work together when there is a common goal we can wrestle with -- it's enough.

Bruce R Leech - 6-23-2005 at 06:25 AM

you have some very interesting observations.keep giving us this good stuff.

thanks
Bruce

Thanks for the Comments & Views

lindsay - 6-23-2005 at 07:50 AM

It's nice to hear from others and my Mexican student here in San Diego got a good English lesson as well by reading this thread!! After reading the posts again, made me wish I was in Mulege enjoying the beaches and some local tacos...although San Diego has had great weather this week and I also had a mean chile relleno burrito at one of my favorite taco shops, Panchos, last night!! :biggrin:

bajaden - 6-23-2005 at 07:59 PM

Well aside from the fact that Im going into the hospital tomorrow for a test that requires I don't eat anything for 24 hours and drink a lot of nasty stuff that requires you don't stray very far from the el bano I enjoyed your post. You could have left out the food part, considering that Im starving to death. Im personally facinated by other country's cultures. People have asked me what it is about baja that I most enjoy. My answer is always the same. Respect....... The people in baja have respect for one another. They say good morning and smile. When you have a flat, they will stop and try to help. I was on a dirt road, staring at my second flat tire in 20 minutes. Curseing the tire manufactuer, and the road, and myself for not bring two spares. A mexican young man on a bike came by and observed. He left, and 15 minutes later he arrived back with a pump. Well nothing was going to help my tire, but you had to appreciate his effort. I won't bore you with the rest of the story, but he was involved in getting me out of there.

David K - 6-23-2005 at 08:10 PM

So, so true... the Baja people make you feel good about being their guests.

Lindsay, an excellent post! So different, yet so simular!

lindsay - 6-23-2005 at 08:42 PM

Bajaden, sorry the food parts made you hungry in your situation and I wish you the best with your hospital visit. I remember being cut off from food the night before my C-section when Sara was born and I was one happy camper when they let me at the real deal comida again!! I also nodded as I read your flat tire story. During my first year in Mulege, a Mexican friend let my co-worker and I who were working with local high school students at the museum use his spare pick-up truck, affectionately called El Toro, to get around. Unfortunately, just at dusk one night El Toro had a flat tire as we went into the curving section of the highway on the descent to Santispac beach. We made it to the one turn-out at the end of the main curve before the beach and sat with El Toro for a bit. Within a few minutes, El Toro's savior came down the hill in a little brown pick-up, later dubbed "Santo Pinto". Our rescuers, a Mexican husband and wife with two small kids, pulled over in Santo Pinto and the husband sized up the dilemna. They were headed to Loreto but graciously gave us a ride back in the opposite direction to our palapa at the front of Concepcion Bay where our friends could then come do triage on El Toro.

So, Bajaden thanks for reminding me of my own good Samaritans in Mulege and best wishes to you for a safe hospital visit. David, good to hear from you to and you will know the owner of El Toro...it was Ricardo. :saint:

Marie-Rose - 6-23-2005 at 09:09 PM

Lindsay
Thank you for sharing. What a wonderful teacher you must be! You've learned from your students.
Osprey
I can only hope to be able to have the relationship it sounds as though you have with your Mexican neighbors. We have just started our life as gringo's in a Mexican neighborhood and this is the reason I love to read these kinds of posts. We are learning spanish, very curious, and realize that we need to slowly demonstrate our dedication to trying to fit in to our new community, rather than trying to insinuate our values on them. I can see that one of the biggest challenges might be to actually find a common goal to work for. Already I have been excited about doing one or the other thing (that I think would be fabulous) and my wise friends (who are already very involved with the local Mexican families) stop me and make me realize that I am imposing my "gringo" idea's on a culture that might feel quite uncomfortable accecpting my generosity. I am looking forward to learning all of these lessons!!

bajaden - 6-23-2005 at 10:52 PM

Don't worry Lindsay, This is just one of those rotor rutor kind of things. Almost like going thru a drive thru. Thanks for reminding me of Santispac. I'll be sitting in Rays having a cervesa in about 10 days. God, now Im starting to think about those coconut shrimp.

Osprey - 6-24-2005 at 06:02 AM

Marie Rose

You are bound to be a good neighbor down here with that wonderful attitude. One gringo neighbor of mine said our Mexican neighbors only cleaned up their properties when they saw how we did it -- what arrogance! Here's more = in a nearby village the humane society makes video tapes, gives them to school kids to take home to show their parents how not to be Mexicans when it comes to household pets. When the town managers need money in the form of donations that's a very good time for gringos in the community to lend a hand. It's hard for me to be a part of the culture here -- I don't eat dinner at 10 PM, I don't drink to get drunk, I hate loud music. I'm an old man. I don't even get along with my gringo neighbors. I have my own culture. Don't crowd anybody, have patience, keep your word -- you'll be loved wherever you go.

lindsay - 6-24-2005 at 08:09 AM

Marie Rose,

I wish you many rewarding adventures as you enjoy your time in Baja California. Osprey has a good point that your attitude of trying to understand and learn from others will help as you negotiate a new culture. It takes time but I remember having great conversations with my Mexican friends that helped me understand that there will always be shades of commonality between us as well as differences.

Bajaden, glad to hear that all is well for you and enjoy your next visit to Santispac...I too can taste the coconut shrimp too!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

lindsay

Baja Bernie - 6-24-2005 at 05:08 PM

I have been wandering around Baja for over 40 years and I find 'culture' to be a quicksand kind of thing. If you don't struggle and remain calm everything will work out.

This is taken from my second book and I believe that it is a very good place to start from in learning and being accepted by your Mexican neighbors---"Mr. Swaim, why do you do that?" What, I asked. "You know, why do you wave at everyone you see? AND you smile at them too!" I smiled and answered, "Well, a bunch of those people are my friends and those I don't know I acknowledge as fellow human beings." Seeing the confusion on her face I went on--in Baja we we all smile and acknowledge each other because we need to support each other in our daily lives."
She still looked confused so I continued--"Okay, in the States you would think it was silly to wave and smile--in fact if you waved at someone you didn't know you would probably get a middle finger in return." Sure my behavior in the States would be considered stupid--Different cultures!!!

I even wave at the flagmen on the highways and they ALWAYS smile and wave back. But, No! Never at Caltrans.

pokey - 6-24-2005 at 06:07 PM

Quote:

She still looked confused so I continued--"Okay, in the States you would think it was silly to wave and smile--in fact if you waved at someone you didn't know you would probably get a middle finger in return." Sure my behavior in the States would be considered stupid--Different cultures!!!

Hmmmm.. I been waving to folks all my life and nine times out of ten they wave back, or nod in recognition, or smile. :tumble:

Which begs the question- Are Mexicans really that friendly? Or are the Americans that think they are (friendly)..... from big cities?

Pokey

Baja Bernie - 6-24-2005 at 06:23 PM

I am sure the folks in Alaska are happy to even see another human--That is where you said you were from--right. And those crab fisherman were really blown away when they saw another boat that stayed afloat.

But hey! You are right Enseneda was a small town when I first started visiting and yet it was far to busy for us folks from La Salina---population, including the back bay---about 40 people at any one time.
The point I was trying to make is that almost all cultures can be bridged with little more than an smile and a wave. Then you continue to work together together together.

bajaden - 6-24-2005 at 06:24 PM

I think Bernie is right on. Im not saying that people in the states won't wave back. Its just that Im the one doing all the waving, and most seem to have a surprised look on their faces. The first time I ever visited baja I flew to cabo with a wife from another life. I went to rent a car and the young man asked for my cerdit card. I removed it from my wallet and tossed it onto his desk. He stared at me for a second and then said, In baja we hand things to people, we don't throw. He said it with a smile on his face, but I knew he was serious. It was my first awakening to thier culture. I won't be so pompus as to say that I know everything I need to know. But Im learning, and for me its enjoyable.

bajaden - 6-24-2005 at 06:26 PM

Man, to think I won a spelling bee in school. Yuck........

bajaden

Baja Bernie - 6-24-2005 at 06:47 PM

And there was our first trip to Cabo way back when. I was wearing my traveling wallet with all of my money and papers and attached with a chain to my belt--You gotta be careful in a foreign country--Banditos you know.

Well! The dang thing fell out of my pocket and onto the floor of the crowded jitney. As we sweated out way to the SolaMar Hotel. We were the last ones out because you can't go any further south without leaving Baja.
Anyway, this young kid came up and presented my wallet to me with broad, non-bandito smile on his face. All my papers and about $500.00 US pressed into my had by a kid that made less than three bucks a day. The wife still gives me heck for losing the wallet but I always have an honest kids face flash before my eyes.

Cultures and quicksand! Relax

When I don't wave to people

jrbaja - 6-24-2005 at 06:53 PM

I usually am embarrased because they all wave to me. I think they recognize the bamboo truck. But, I wave at everyone just in case nowadays because the road from Los Barriles to San Bartolo is usually populated by my neighbors and friends from LB.

bajaden - 6-24-2005 at 07:07 PM

Actually Bernie, everytime someone in the states hears of my going down to baja they all ask the same question. What about the bandito's. I tell them you just have to be lucky because there all over the place. Very selfish of me I know, but I think Jr's got a point about some of the gringo's. I guess if you don't like the word, it might strike a little too close to home.

bajaden - 6-24-2005 at 07:09 PM

I wasn't talking about you Bernie. Just a gereralization.....

Dave - 6-24-2005 at 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaden
I went to rent a car and the young man asked for my cerdit card. I removed it from my wallet and tossed it onto his desk. He stared at me for a second and then said, In baja we hand things to people, we don't throw. He said it with a smile on his face, but I knew he was serious. It was my first awakening to thier culture.

You let a clerk lecture you on Mexican culture?

Right, what you did was considered rude yet his response was even worse. He's damn lucky his supervisor didn't overhear the conversation.

pokey - 6-24-2005 at 07:39 PM

I think us Americans can learn alot from Mexican culture. Them being so respectful and friendly and all. My particular favorite is when the shop keeper makes the Oaxacans wait while he/she takes care of us non-indian customers first.

Pokey

Baja Bernie - 6-24-2005 at 08:07 PM

I can't believe that you posted your last post. The little people had to step aside for you???????
Dang! I just went back to check and you really said that.
Not trolling or blaming just sad!

THNK YOU LINDSAY

Sharksbaja - 6-24-2005 at 08:16 PM

I watched as your nicely worded post invoked a wonderfully positive response. Your unassuming post clearly illustrated a willingness to partake without condition. You would be welcome in my country too.
There is a term for the hospitable acknowledgments.
It's called "unconditional love" & random acts of kindness" or something like that. You have that too as do a number of "caring" types. Thanks again, and once again, I learned something new.

pokey - 6-24-2005 at 08:37 PM

I was being sarcastic Bernie. Treating the Oaxacans like second class citizens is unfortunately too common here. I'm suprised you've never noticed it.... being a resident of Baja for as long as you have.

My wife who has Myan features often recieves a different level of service that I do. A good example of this is my wifes visit to telnor to order telephone service.... They wanted to know the names of the cross streets and intersections near our house. The assumption being that since she has Myan features that she must live in one of the poorer colonias where houses pop up everywhere and locating a residence can be difficult....She left Telnor without getting any service.

The next day I went to telnor and asked for a phone line in my accentless spanish. Twenty minutes later I walked out with the order completed and a promise to have the line installed in two weeks or less. No mention of cross streets or intersections. The assumption being that Being a white man I lived in a colonia where the telnor guys would have no problem finding our house.

Sad but true

bajaden - 6-24-2005 at 09:46 PM

Well Dave I guess I did. I didn't take it as lecture at the time. But then I was just an innocent newcomer to baja. Im resisting the impulse to become sarcastic. My way of protecting my thick skin. Whether he was rude or not is immaterial to the subject. What was important,was how it changed my prospective at the time. Hey, you either get it or you don't..

pokey - 6-24-2005 at 09:54 PM

hey man you just became a "Nomad"!! :biggrin:

Pokey

Baja Bernie - 6-25-2005 at 10:16 AM

Yes, I have noticed it all over Mexico and in most cases it normally was Mexicans and not Gringos. Very often it occured in governmental and utility offices and even in the markets---The hotels for sure!( Except in Cancun where they can't get the Mexicans to work in the heat so they hire local Mayans to do all of the work).

Many of the extras on Titanic

jrbaja - 6-25-2005 at 10:49 AM

were light skinned Mexicans from down south. These guys treated the rest like dung and the prejudice was very obvious!
Ever notice the people on Mexican TV? Pretty scary now that the humans in the bunch are now trying to duplicate this plasticity. Reminds me of another country not so far away! :no:

lindsay - 6-25-2005 at 11:50 AM

It's nice to see everyone reflecting on their experiences and it just highlights how we all have different takes on the everyday moments in life. As for the waving and acknowledging each other, I always enjoy this part of life in Mulege. My first year, I was initially confused by people passing in cars or when walking and calling out, "Adios". I was thinking I just saw you and was going to say, "Hola" but I learned the routine soon enough. Then, with my Mexican friends at the high school, I learned variations on greetings, particularly from cars, these greetings were various call-outs from whistles or yalps out car windows. Another area of interest for me was the signal from cars to acknowledge a friend in another car which I picked up from Sara's dad, Francisco. It was the two finger, peace-like signal, when driving on the highway. We would see someone we knew in the opposite lane and without taking his hand off the steering wheel to wave, he would lift the peace sign fingers away from the steering wheel to signal to the approaching car as the other driver did the same.

Mulege, as those nomads who live there now already know well, is also a great cruising town. Driving through the town and doing a loop of the mostly one way streets is a very social activity particularly on a weekend night when a baile or other event is happening. One of Sara's aunts lives right on the corner by the town's downtown church across from the clinic. So, we have front row seats on the steps of the house for watching the cruising show. Everyone passes by in cars, on bikes, on motos, ATVs or foot and everyone greets you with an adios, a whistle, a head nod, a yalp, your nickname, or some combination of these greetings.

Another lesson related to greeting others that I learned was to always allow extra time to get from point A to point B when walking through town. Even if I knew that Sara and I were going from her aunt's house, say to the other end of town and another aunt's home, usually just a 15 minute walk, I would plan on 30 minutes. This 15 minute cushion would usually cover the greetings and conversations we would need to make along the way with various people in the town's plaza, the shops and any friends we may come across on the street. So, this routine is one of the great parts of small town life.

Although these exchanges happen with people I know in Mulege, it's true that just a passing "Hola", "Adios" or smile of acknowledgement is common there when others recognize you even if you don't know them personally. It was also interesting for me to have my students here in San Diego comment about these casual greetings. In La Jolla, despite much development since I was growing up here in the 70s, the area's main downtown still has some vestiges of the small village feel...don't get me wrong there are plenty of people with their cell phones too attached to their heads to even notice the world around them but my students here often comment on how friendly Americans are in terms of greeting strangers. These students come from all over the world, from both large cities and small towns, and during their first weeks or months here they often say how amazed they are by people saying good morning or hello to them. They can't imagine doing the same in their countries to strangers. So, it's nice to see that some of the kindness that we appreciate in Mexico still exists in our towns up north.

As I said in the beginning, I've enjoyed seeing how everyone views these day to day moments. These views are just my take on the everyday and that's why all of your different views make this board an interesting place to share our experiences. Thanks again and enjoy the weekend. :yes:

bajaden - 6-25-2005 at 05:08 PM

Hey Lindsey, I live directly across from the church. Im sort of sandwiched between Dannys taco's and the hardware store. Your right about saturday nights. Sometimes Noel and I just sit outside and watch the people go by.

When we lived on Catalina Is.

Sharksbaja - 6-26-2005 at 12:20 AM

We would take the company truck to Avalon, the only real town on the island. Very little traffic on the inland as all(most) vehicles are restricted to Avalon. The one hour drive on a narrow dirt road. I can't remember a time when two approaching vehicles did not wave to each other. As there were less than 100 cars allowed access we felt a bit "special" and I would say so did they. I also feel special(privledged) when I go to Baja and I wave frequently.
Can you imagine waving to everyone on I-5 :lol:

Hey Sharks

jrbaja - 6-26-2005 at 08:55 AM

Did you ever know a guy named Larry Walling on that island?
And, long before that we used to dive for coins when the "Big White Steamship" pulled in. :bounce:

El Bueno, El Malo, y El Feo

burro bob - 6-26-2005 at 10:51 AM

Lindsay
Great Post. I have used that line with my Mexican fiends many times when they ask me about the differences between the US of A and Baja. While I know there are lots of differences I like to focus on what we share as aposed to how we differ.
Here is a true story of one of my first instances of "meeting the locals".
I had ridden my BMW Paris Dakar motorcycle out to almost Agua Caliente in Valley Chico. Before I got there the electronics crapped out and the bike wouldn't run. Seems like I wasn't going fast enough to charge the battery. So I turned it around and started pussing it back down the long dusty road to El Dorado.
A group of Gringo came by in rails and stopped to help. They jumped my battery and got me going again. On guy even offered to drive real slow and stay with me in case I had other problems. I declined his offer because I didn't understamd what kind of problem I was dealing with at the time. Sure enough, their dust had hardly cleared when the moto conks out again.
I hadn't pushed too long when here comes a nice new pick up with an elderly rancher inside, going the other way. He stopped and refilled my empty beer cans with water. This was in the winter so it wasn't real hot.
I pushed the bike for another mile or so before I decided to push it out into the desert and hide it behind some bushes. I could walk out a whole lot faster and go git my little truck to come back for the bike.
I walked another mile or so without the bike when here comes another little truck full of young Mexicans and one old man, also going into Agua Caliente. They also stopped to make sure I had water.
Now I was worried. I didn't think the old rancher would go looking for my moto but I knew this truck full of "broncos" would. There was a good chance my bike wouldn't be there when I got back. While I was walking and worrying here comes the little truck again and amazingly my moto isn't in the back.
This time they stop and offer a ride for only a few kilometers, which I think is odd because there isn't any thing along the road for many kilometers. So I get in with the rest of these ugly scarry types and ride down the road for a few more kilometers.
There along side the road is a old beat up pickup with the front right side suppension collapsed underneath. Seems like the bailing wire holding it togeather finally failed. There is an old woman standing outside the truck and a young, late teens, man laying on the front seat unconsious and moaning.
I don't have any medical training but I can see that this kid needs to get to a doctor. The young Mexicans had gone to Agua Caliente to look for parts to fix the suspension. Then the old man and lady and the drugged out kid, that had aparently flunked out of the rehab clinic out there, were headed back to Mexicali.
Well the bolt they had brought wasnt long enough so now they had to go all the way into San Felipe to get the right one. So I found my way into the back of the little truck again and headed to San Felipe, leaving the lady and moaning kid alone at the broken truck.
On the way to drop me off at El Dorado I got to get a better look at my traveling cxompanions. Besides the old man in the front seat is a young man, He doesn't have the use of his legs and there is a set of crutches in the back with us. Also in front is this big young man with his long black hair held back with a red bandana. It was Geronimos great great grandson, or at least he could have been. The back of the truck held three other really scruffy looking guys and an assortment of axes and sledges. These guys were firewood gatherers.
As they dropped me of at the intrance to Viajeros Norte in El Dorado I gave the driver a twenty and waved adios to my new "friends". Now If I worked fast I could get the camper shell of my little truck and get back out there before they could return and find my bike.
This time I decided to play safe so I also loaded up some camping equipment and water for the return trip. It took a few hours before I was ready to head back.
When I finally get back to the old pickup and the old lady and the moaning kid it is starting to get dark, and they are all alone. The woodgathering mechanics hadn't returned yet.
As I sat with the old Lady and tried to comfort her, without knowing any spanish, I learned one of my first words "esperanza". I finally figured out that she was asking me if there was any hope for her son. I lied and told he looked better than when I had left several hours earlier. I was torn between dumping the kid in the back of my pickup and heading for San Felipe and staying there. We waited in the deepening dark for another hour before the little truck returned.
They were supprised to see me there, there search for the right part had tken a while. It soon became obvious that I was needed. I pulled my truck in where the lights would shine underneath where Geronimos great great grandson was trying to manhandle the components back into position. It wasn't long before alll my tools and my jack were also laying in the dust under the truck also. With a little luck and a lot of Mexican savy we were able to fix the suspension in the dark and in the dirt. In the US of A this repair would have involved a long tow trip to a well stocked garage along with a big repair bill. The old man obviously didn't have money to pay and no one asked him for any. We were all just happy to see the old truck heading down the road on it's way to a stomach pump in Mexicali.
Now I was all alone in the desert with a bunch of good, bad ugly Mexicans. They offered me a beer and a couple of shots of tequila that my twenty had purchased and we had a little better conversation because one of them spoke a little english. One of them gave me a crystal that I still carry with me. They offered to follow me down the road to help load my bike, and to find where I hidden it. I told them I would spend the rest of the night in the back of my truck and would put it in in the morning. They were amazed that I would spend the night alone in the valley. The one that spoke english asked if I wasn't afraid of banditos. As I looked back at them I said "I thought that was you guys" They all understood and laughed and there was a general nodding of heads and agreement that they were the baddest guys in the valley.
The only one of them that I still see is Geronimos great great grandson. His name is Rafael and he lives in the Ejido with his wife and kids about six blocks from me. He makes a living hauling landscaping and building rocks in from the mountains. He still looks like Geronimos great great grandson. No we don't hang togeather, but we do still wave at each other and smile as we remember that shared evening in Valley Chico. It is where I learned about el Bueno, el Malo, y el Feo and that sometimes you can find all three in the back of a pickup.
burro bob

Packoderm - 6-26-2005 at 11:02 AM

Lindsay, I am enjoying what you have to say. I especially like how you have to add 15 minutes to your commute for pleasantries. The hand gestures you mention remind me of a story I once read about two ranchers in Wyoming who passed each other in opposite directions on a country road. Knowing they knew each other, they both stopped and backed up to meet each other. Then, without saying a word, they gave each other a quick nod, and then both took off and continued on their way.

David K - 6-26-2005 at 11:02 AM

Excellent story Bob!!! Thank you for sharing it with us. Valle Chico is a special place in Baja I have enjoyed visiting many times.

It's Monday Again But...

lindsay - 6-27-2005 at 08:08 AM

It's 8:00 a.m. in San Diego and another workday at the English school but I'm indulging myself with a "Baja break" before I the "newbie" students arrive at the school. Thanks everyone for some more interesting posts. Burro Bob, I enjoyed your encounters on the road and your vivid descriptions of all the pieces of that adventure.

Bajaden, if you live right near the church you may know my daughter's aunt/tia Nelly Cuesta. Her family's home is just at the corner by the church and she used to have her clothing store in the front part of the house.

Anyway, I've got to run to class now but have a great day everyone and keep the posts coming!! :bounce: