BajaNomad - mulege, the mexican mayberry

mulege, the mexican mayberry

mulege marv - 7-30-2006 at 07:14 AM

ahh mulege, what a breath of fresh air ! a small town where everyone knows everyone, and if you dont it wont be long before you do. its mexico, and everyone here is here for the same reason, and wants to keep it that way. people come here for what it is and dont try to change it into the place they came from. a ride through town is almost parade like, as everone smiles and waves as you pass. everyone is considerate of everyone else, and when there is help needed by anyone, there is usually a line of people to lend a hand. i cant think of anywhere in the world that is like it ! problems ? a few but they usually dont stay long .

[Edited on 7-30-2006 by mulege marv]

[Edited on 7-30-2006 by mulege marv]

bancoduo - 7-30-2006 at 07:30 AM

Sounds like a good place for eco-development! :cool:

capt. mike - 7-30-2006 at 07:33 AM

Couldn't agree more Marv. Wish i could be there more than i get to. Work gets in the way. someday it will be my home.

bancoduo

mulege marv - 7-30-2006 at 08:58 AM

love your nick nolte avitar ! :lol:

looks like he was at the same party as glen cambell !

thats funny right there !

[Edited on 7-30-2006 by mulege marv]

mayberry?

pacificobob - 7-30-2006 at 09:16 AM

i love mulege, lots of great people, locals and expats. however it reminds me more of johannesburg than mayberry. 90% of the gringos live in one neighborhood. and then when they do venture to towne, go to one of 3-4 bars and resturants. sort of a self-imposed
apartheid.....

todoamiga - 8-18-2006 at 10:19 AM

Pacificobob I gotta say I think you have the wrong impression of gringos here... and of the mexican community as well (and to note... there?s not a heck of a lot more in town besides the 3-4 bars, restaurants, and trinket shops!).

I?m a newbie, only 6 months Mulege young... but it doesn?t take long getting to know the gringos and mexicans alike to learn how interconnected the two are. It blows my mind at times the history of the locals and their families, jobs, etc. that gringo friends of mine relay effortlessly off the tip of their tongue -- because they care, live here and are part of what is a very inter-related community. Sure... a lot of gringo development happens in certain areas more than others (where in Baja is that not true?) so it can seem segregated - but these developments, RV parks, etc. are mainly mexican-owned and run - with a lot of connection and history between the two cultures, persons, etc. there as well.

Martyman - 8-18-2006 at 10:33 AM

Mulege is awesome. I first came down there in my uncles plane when I was in 6th grade and we introduced the frisbee to the locals. I would now like to get a small piece of the pie but my visits to the two realtors, Lorane and Pierce were not very productive. Is there anyone else that might be selling some semi-desolate beachfront in the mulege area (30 miles either direction) without charging an arm and a leg.

Mulege Marv----

Barry A. - 8-18-2006 at 10:40 AM

-----a wonderful place, Mulege!! and a great picture.

In line with your comment that "everybody knows everybody", (or something like that)--------I have a little book called "Mulege" by Kerry Otterstrom (aka Vikingo) given to me by the author several years ago while we were visiting Mulege(actually quite a few years ago). Have you heard of this guy, and is he still around? He seemed like a very colorful person, to us, and we enjoyed talking to him, and reading his book.

huh

mulege marv - 8-18-2006 at 10:52 AM

i will have to look that book up, didnt know it even existed !
kerry otterstom doesnt ring a bell, but that doesnt mean he isnt still here. i will find out, and thanks for the heads up on the book !

BajaNomad - 8-18-2006 at 11:07 AM

I have that book by El Vikingo too. Never met him, but I believe they sold the book at El Candil in town, and that maybe Kerry was a bartender (?) there at one point - and also acted as a local tour guide as well.

--
Doug

Skeet/Loreto - 8-18-2006 at 11:39 AM

Yes marv. Your Description is right on the Money.
Mulege:
A lot of the early development of Mulege was due to a guy named Fred Mazzi- Fresno California-Owner of the Mazzi Flying School .
he started taking people/Fisherman to Muelge long before the road Opened.
Many formed a "Gin Drinking Group" where anybody could stop by for Gin and conversation under the Towering Trees nearly every Afternoon.
Saul came to Town and ran the old Hotel Muelge where Fun was had by all.
Even a Little fellow with License plate "Dive" on his chevy Truck and a Loud off Road Motorcycle. He finally got run out of the Trailer Park because he "Mooned his neighbor,who did not like his Loud Bike and Habit of Dropping his Drawers in full sight!!
Built the First House on the Hill on the other side of the River, stood in Plain sight and Peed into the River.
The Home of "Baja Patty"
The Streets of Muelge-Home to my Very good Friend "Pabalo " who dove 105 Feet to get me "Black Coral'

The Streets of "MontyNegro" who was run out of San Nicholas after his Wife found him on the Beach with several of the Mexicano girls of San Nicholas.
She took all his clothes and left in the middle of the Night!
The Sunday Night Dances with a Guard at each Door armed with an ak47 to make sure there was no Trouble.
You are in a good Place. Enjoy!

Skeet/Loreto

Doug-----

Barry A. - 8-18-2006 at 11:46 AM

-----you are correct---Kerry was a bar tender at el Candil when we met him while having lunch. It was mid day, we were the only patrons, and we had a long a very interesting conversation with Kerry. I believe that he gave me and my friend each the book he wrote, but we may have paid for them----I just am not sure. I looked it up in my notes and it was June of 1996.

It is a "fun" little book, and very interesting.

Hook - 8-18-2006 at 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNomad
I have that book by El Vikingo too. Never met him, but I believe they sold the book at El Candil in town, and that maybe Kerry was a bartender (?) there at one point - and also acted as a local tour guide as well.

--
Doug

I saw him there several times in the 90s.....but he was DEFINITELY on the other side of the bar each time I saw him.

Well, unless, the bar had some good perks for the employees. :lol:

I forgot to say---------

Barry A. - 8-18-2006 at 12:00 PM

---that the rest of the title to the book is "The complete tourism, souvenir, and historical guide of Mulege" and it is 160 pages long, and was printed in Tijuana by "IMAC IMPRESOS"----First Edition copyright 1992 by Kerry G. Otterstrom, a publication of Elizabeth Yee de Otterstrom. There are quite a few interesting black and white photos and artwork, all be Kerry Otterstrom.

Kerry inscribed a nice note and signature and date inside the front cover of the book that I have. He was a jolly fellow, and we enjoyed him very much------he appeared to be sober when we spoke to him, but he was sure serving us the drinks, just like a normal bar-tender. :lol:

He volunteered to take us up to the pictographs up in the mountains, but regrettably we did not have the time. We were camped out at Punta Chivato for a week, and just went into Mulege for the day when the big winds came up at Chivato.

Thieves, murderers and thugs

Sharksbaja - 8-18-2006 at 12:03 PM

are all over Mulege.

Please pass thru quietly after spending your money in town. :lol:

Marv...... AMEN, and thanks for another oustanding photo!

also......

very bad seafood available!!! :wow:

Funny you say that, Sharks-------

Barry A. - 8-18-2006 at 12:09 PM

---------as lone unattended camper and motorhomes both north, and south of Mulege, usually on the beaches, have been burglarized in the past 5 years on several occasions. Who knows where the purpatrators came from, but Mulege is under suspicion. Still, all groups of people have their crazies (criminals) in them, and probably Mulege is no exception. Obviously a very dangerous place :lol:

but I have heard no recent (last 1 year??) reports of problems.

Corretamundo Barry

Sharksbaja - 8-18-2006 at 12:22 PM

I would say "watch your stuff" when visiting the playas near Mulege. Why they haven't nabbed those banditos is strange. Their motis operandi is always the same. Wait till the gringos get away from the vehicle then smash and dash.
If you leave your vehicle open, you stand a better chance of driving away with a complete car. This prob has been going on for years.

Of course there ARE other deterrents.

toneart - 8-18-2006 at 02:09 PM

I am torn between endorsing Marv's description of Mulege and spreading rumor and disinformation so that fear mongers keep going right on down the highway. I don't like them much in the U.S. either. I live in Mulege much of the time and my smile is not for sale. So....regarding the secret magic of Mulege....shhhhhhh. :moon:

Sharksbaja - 8-18-2006 at 02:19 PM

Well, one thang is sure. The sun got to Marv! :cool:

Suerte!

Cypress - 8-18-2006 at 02:38 PM

Was thinking about visiting Mulege, but now have second thoughts. Gonna just assume the fetal position behind locked doors and hope for the best! Maybe nobody will hurt me. :lol:

oxxo - 8-18-2006 at 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
If you leave your vehicle open, you stand a better chance of driving away with a complete car.

Interesting that you should say that. Oahu has had a "smash and dash" auto burglary problem on the north shore at public beaches. Now people just leave their doors open, windows down, and truck lids up wirth nothing inside. It took care of the problem.

Bruce R Leech - 8-18-2006 at 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Martyman
Mulege is awesome. I first came down there in my uncles plane when I was in 6th grade and we introduced the frisbee to the locals. I would now like to get a small piece of the pie but my visits to the two realtors, Lorane and Pierce were not very productive. Is there anyone else that might be selling some semi-desolate beachfront in the mulege area (30 miles either direction) without charging an arm and a leg.

did you check with Baja Rio Realty? they are the good one in Mulege. :light:

tim40 - 8-18-2006 at 05:57 PM

I have begun to assure everyone that all the bad stories they have heard rumored actually twice as bad and 3 times as many....sure wish I knew more people to 'convince'..... My problem is I can not say it with a straight face and the next thing I know I am blabbering away about this and that favorite spot...

roundtuit - 8-18-2006 at 07:53 PM

Got hit for a window($168.00),cell phone(200.00),camera(250.00 ), binox.(100.00) If I would have left it unlocked and open probably nothiing would have happened.Tell you next year as I test this out.

Met Kerry Otterstrom (aka Vikingo) some years ago...

Mexray - 8-18-2006 at 08:43 PM

...about 5 or 6, as I remember. I wanted to take some pic's of town from the hills, so I drove up behind the Prison, kept climbing north of town till I ran out of 'road'. Parked to take some pics, and noticed this lone guy waving from his small casa above us to the north. He saw us taking pics and waved us up to his place.

As we approached, Kerry introduced himself and offered us to sit and enjoy the evening view. As we talked, he told us of being a 'barkeep' in town, and at one time, the only 'licensed' Gringo guide in the area...but now 'retired' or 'blackballed', didn't quite know which.

Kerry told us of the book he had put together some time earlier about Mulege. When I expressed interest, he rummaged around in the casa to find a copy for us, and we traded a bottle of Tequila for his hospitality - and joined him in 'sampling' the nectar! When I got back to our Playa, and looked at his book, it was full of 'worm holes'...guess his stash of unsold copies was holding up the corner of his bed... :smug:

It's a great reminder of a pleasant evening spent with a new 'local' friend in Mulege.

We would run into Kerry in town, from time-to-time, and I believe I've read here that he later married a local gal, and then moved on to other environs.

Marv, I couldn't agree with you more about Mulege...just a wonderful, small town 'feel' that welcomes most everyone - but let's not spread the word around too far...

We've even had our chrome vale stem caps 'appropriated' by the local kids in the plaza - so we really feel like 'family'! My wife, Patricia is from Arkansas, and NEVER meets a 'stranger', she's right at home when in Mulege, a Baja 'Oasis', in more ways that one!

David K - 8-18-2006 at 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
-----a wonderful place, Mulege!! and a great picture.

In line with your comment that "everybody knows everybody", (or something like that)--------I have a little book called "Mulege" by Kerry Otterstrom (aka Vikingo) given to me by the author several years ago while we were visiting Mulege(actually quite a few years ago). Have you heard of this guy, and is he still around? He seemed like a very colorful person, to us, and we enjoyed talking to him, and reading his book.

This book?

David K - 8-18-2006 at 08:59 PM

This man?

David...

Mexray - 8-18-2006 at 09:07 PM

...you're close, but I think that last picture is of Carlos Santana and Kenny Rogers... :cool:

Al G - 8-18-2006 at 09:33 PM

DK, I think he may be in Todos Santos??? There are two guys there that I keep mixing up, one is Pat Dodds and the other I don't remember the name, but he looks like your picture, but older. Maybe???

That's the book, David------and the pic from it

Barry A. - 8-18-2006 at 10:56 PM

capt. mike - 8-19-2006 at 05:42 AM

if Mulege is "Mayberry".............would that then make Santa Rosalia , "Mt. Pilot"??
:yes:

huh

mulege marv - 8-19-2006 at 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Well, one thang is sure. The sun got to Marv! :cool:

Suerte!

i think it did

kerry left in 2003

[Edited on 8-19-2006 by mulege marv]

todoamiga - 8-19-2006 at 10:59 AM

your right Toneart - Mulege: too many tourists, crummy expats, and nothing to do in town... :spingrin:

not sure what I was thinking yesterday... my sentimental side showing I guess. heard Loreto?s a good town.... and just up the road a bit as well :bounce:

toneart - 8-19-2006 at 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by todoamiga
your right Toneart - Mulege: too many tourists, crummy expats, and nothing to do in town... :spingrin:

not sure what I was thinking yesterday... my sentimental side showing I guess. heard Loreto?s a good town.... and just up the road a bit as well :bounce:

Yeah, Yeah, Loreto....and just up the road! :yes: