BajaNomad

Baja Troubadour

Baja Bernie - 10-21-2006 at 02:19 PM

Most of us Baja folks have met this gentleman a time or two in our rounds of the local cantinas. You know him the minute you see him. A bit seedy, carrying a guitar, and wearing an old light grey flannel suit that has turned to a yellow-brown color with age. He is normally a tad shorter than most guys but his sideways measurements would make his a giant of a man were they added to his height.

Anyway, he first hits on the bartender for the one and only free drink he knows he will get on the house because he adds color for the tourists. Finishing that he begins to wander around the tables offering to sing for a drink or occasionally for something to eat. Sad because, if he ever could sing, over the years his voice has been destroyed by the demon drink.

Well, my wife and an old friend who happened to be a mature Mexican lady were nursing our drinks between dancing to the house musicians. During a break in the dancing Mr. Troubadour approached our table and sat down like he owned the place. Our friend, being fluent in both English and Spanish, took exception to not only his presence but also to his smell and attire. She cut loose with a rapid fire string of Spanish that had the poor guy cringing in his chair. As she continued be berate the poor old man he suddenly got down from his chair and drawing himself up to his full height of about 5 ‘4” and asked, in perfect English, “Senorita, would you care to dance.” This was just way to much for our lady friend and she again launched into a tirade about self respect among other things. The only thing I was sure I caught was when slowed down and she finished with a comment about gravy stains on the guys pants, He, again drew himself into a posture like an old time drill instructor and said, “My dear lady those are not gravy stains.”

He walked away from the table with his head held high as the entire bar roared at the lady’s mistake.

Viva Antiguo Baja!


I thought of this story as I was trying to formulate a response to a U-2-U from a very polite newby who was taking exception to comments I have made. One was about my mentioning my decision to sell in Baja and move everything back to the states and another had to do with a comment about boomers. He called some of my statements ‘provocative’ and basically said he didn’t understand where I was coming from. (I can appreciate this because quite often I am not even sure of that).

Anyway, as I was trying to think of a polite response that would or could answer his questions I received another query about two days later wanting to know if he had lost me. The answer to that simple question of whether he had lost me is Yes and No.

Well! I decided that I would never be able to successfully answer him because my responses would have only been understood by others who had experienced similar things to those I had experienced in Baja. To understand they would have to have been exposed to a Baja that really no longer exists. Not that that even matters to the new arrivals because they are happy with the Baja they have found. And that is how it should be.

I guess what I am trying to say is that—you cannot miss those things that you have not experienced or known. So there it is—when David K starts talking about old maps of Baja I could care less because I have never had a need for them, I don’t understand them—and I don’t even want to.

So my friend, I guess you will have to settle with that answer because it is the only one I can give.

DENNIS - 10-21-2006 at 05:50 PM

Ah Bernie .... I feel your frustration.

We may not have todays Baja, changed as it has and torn apart with everything Detroit and Tokyo could throw at it but, we have the memories.
Remember when you could stand in the desert at night and it was so quiet you swore you could hear your hair grow?
Remember when you would leave Hussongs at nine P.M. and the street would be empty?
Or when nothing opened before ten A.M.?
And gas was almost free?
How about San Felipe when a Playboy magazine would trade for more shrimp than you could carry?
And those days when local crime was non-existant?
Not to mention Jack Smith when we all designed our lives around his experiences.
Times change Bernie but it cant take what we have. Our memories. They're ours forever.

Sniff!

Baja Bernie - 10-21-2006 at 06:26 PM

So true................................................Thanks

Al G - 10-21-2006 at 06:35 PM

Two great post...I don't know if I feel like a youngster or just missed the best of the best.

DENNIS - 10-21-2006 at 06:53 PM

No Al .... You're right in the middle of it....... A good place to be.

Al G - 10-21-2006 at 07:09 PM

That makes me feel better. I thoink:lol::lol:

DENNIS - 10-21-2006 at 07:25 PM

I follow your posts, Al, as one would follow Doonsbury. You will be one of my memories, rest assured. I kinda wish you were my next door neighbors next door neighbor.

DENNIS - 10-21-2006 at 09:12 PM

Grover -----

Only twenty cars?

That almost pre-dates memory. Those were the days.

I went through some deja vu last week when crossing at Tecate, 9 AM.
I was the only car there.

I have a feeling that may be one of my memories as well.

Hey! Dennis

Baja Bernie - 10-22-2006 at 09:42 AM

You're not as old as I thought if you don't remember those times.

Back then I was still driving in Baja at night and some time when we hit the border at about 0530 we would have to wake the guy up in the booth:lol::lol::lol:

You just can't believe what a difference 30 or 40 years can make.

DENNIS - 10-22-2006 at 10:57 AM

I remember, Bernie.

On another occasion, many years ago, I drove up to the booth at Tecate and there was nobody even in the booth. I sat there for a couple of minutes until a lady waddled out of the office, came over and sent me on my way.
Oh well, I remember vacant lots in Newport Beach, Cal. too.

Cypress - 10-22-2006 at 12:41 PM

Still smile whenever I hear "Louie Louie".:)

DENNIS - 10-22-2006 at 12:53 PM

Cypress ..

louielouie.net

I cant give you a link.... I dont know how.

Cypress - 10-22-2006 at 01:26 PM

Dennis,Must be a bunch of "Louie Louie" fans. I'm not alone in this world.:yes:Thanks.

Dennis

Baja Bernie - 10-22-2006 at 04:15 PM

What tolll road?

I vote for Louie, Louie and I'll dance along.

DENNIS - 10-22-2006 at 05:22 PM

Bernie ...

Toll road?

My first time south of Maneadero, the pavement ended just south of town. Drove down to San Vicente and the folks there thought we had ironing boards sticking out of the back of the car.

What's a toll road?

Al G - 10-22-2006 at 08:57 PM

Grover...You da man..I love it, but How do I turn it off:lol::lol:

Al G - 10-22-2006 at 09:21 PM

Ok..Ok..Lets give it to them...Right now!!

DENNIS - 10-23-2006 at 06:37 AM

Al ---

There are many other versions of Louie Louie for your listening pleasure..

Mexican version ......... Luis Luis

Italian .........................Luigi Luigi

Laguna Beach .............Louie Louise


Turn up the volume Al. This is culture.

shari - 10-23-2006 at 10:43 AM

muchas gracias for getting me up dancing this morning...I had a big laugh as I tried to figure out where this awesome song was coming from???

Cincodemayo - 10-23-2006 at 11:38 AM

Dennis...that's pronounced Lagayna Beach.

DENNIS - 10-23-2006 at 01:12 PM

Thanks, Cdm, for the correction. I have trouble keeping up with these things.

Cypress - 10-23-2006 at 04:46 PM

How 'bout Irma Thomas and "Ruler of My Heart"? Cowboy Junkies and "Sweet Jane". Enjoyed the "Louie Louie" download.:tumble:

comitan - 10-23-2006 at 05:18 PM

Ok the Doors Light My Fire the long version, anything from Boston, Sergio, Black Magic Woman, on and on.

DENNIS - 10-23-2006 at 05:31 PM

I saw on and on in concert. They were great.

Al G - 10-23-2006 at 05:51 PM

Comitan...Boston? "It's been such a long time. It's been such a long time. Well I get so lonely when I am without you".. How about Queen...Heart...Dubbie bros..

Newbie defined

Lee - 10-23-2006 at 07:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Baja Bernie
I thought of this story as I was trying to formulate a response to a U-2-U from a very polite newby who was taking exception to comments I have made. One was about my mentioning my decision to sell in Baja and move everything back to the states and another had to do with a comment about boomers. He called some of my statements ‘provocative’ and basically said he didn’t understand where I was coming from. (I can appreciate this because quite often I am not even sure of that).

So my friend, I guess you will have to settle with that answer because it is the only one I can give.


Hey Bernie,

You U2U'd me first and I responded to you privately. When you didn't respond, I figured you didn't get my mail. Don't mind naming names and going public with this.

I can't take exception to something I don't understand and in your thread on ''cutting your losses in Baja," and similar comments that, yes, I thought were provocative, I simply asked for clarification as to why you sounded so, well, pessimistic.

There is lots I miss from the old days and it's evident you miss those days as well, Brother. Surfing with Aloha at San'O in the 60s (which were the best years of my life though much was spent in the military), and, even Baja back then. The assumption that I'm new to this forum and new to Baja is off center. But that's OK. As important as the past is, and as great as those days were, it's gone now and memories are nice but I don't dream much anymore about the past. I miss those days, and Baja was great back then, but things have changed, and I like them fine right now.

I don't see the Boomers as the cause of anything bad. Maybe they could have been stricter with how they raised their kids? It's still a great crowd and I'm finding them as my neighbors down South. Yeah we have longboards still, ride ATVs too fast, and we're trying to cram everything into a short 24 hour day.

I don't mind saying we're still having fun! More crowds, more traffic and higher prices. It's like that up North. So, it's starting to feel familiar down South!

So, if things didn't work out for you in Baja, Bernie, I'm sorry to read that. Cut my losses? That's what you wrote. I haven't got a clue as to what that really means.

Maybe alot of people here understand your past experiences. As a Newbie, I am just trying to understand what you wrote. I think I understand more now, thank you.

I'm finding I have more in common with the Mexicans and Californians down South than I do with the craziness up North. At least the Mexicans aren't living in fear because of terrorists who hate them. What a sad state of affairs this stuff has developed into.

I don't like labels either and blaming the Boomers for whatever badness is taking place down South is easy. We're the generation with money and coming into our own.

There's no stopping progress and development and the best we can hope for is that there is some kind of plan to help it along. In Todos, I'm paying thousands for an Environment Report. Got to save those turtles. And that's fine with me. I love the little critters.

It's all relative, anyway. Good, bad? If it doesn't work for you, then cut your losses. For me? La Paz will always be La Paz and a very beautiful town with beautiful people. I really don't see the Boomers making an impact down there anytime soon. They can build gated and guarded communities and maybe that's what they need. The locals are just fine, I think.

As crowded as San'O is today, and it's crowded, and aggressive and not for the faint of heart, sometimes, it's still fun, Aloha can still be found, and it's only going to get more crowded. Just the way it is. Get in line early. Give a wave, get a wave.

I don't especially like it, but my opinon doesn't matter much in the face of reality.

It's still fun and it still works for me.

:cool:

[Edited on 10-24-2006 by Lee]

DENNIS - 10-24-2006 at 01:29 PM

Bump--