BajaNomad

Ski Baja

Baja Red - 1-8-2004 at 10:52 AM

Ski...I REALLY think that if you met "most" of us on this board you would like the majority. We all have a common bond...BAJA. I am not talking about the "weekend warriors" that go to Rosarito, T.J. and Ensenada to drink til they puke and pee on the streets...(sorry for the visual) I am talking about the people who really love Baja. The ones that will travel to the BOLA, Baja De Concepcion, Mulege, (pig roast) Punta Chivato, ( I could go on and on). The ones that pick up there trash when they leave one place and go to another, and even pick up trash that was not theirs. The one's that go there to sit and watch the pelicans glide across the Sea of Cortez, the dolphins, whales and numerous other sea creatures, the sunrise and sunsets. The people who go there to clear their minds of the rat race, traffic, and all that goes on in their world north of the border. The SERINITY!! It is very theuraputic. There is a lot of places that I have not even been yet. I commend you on your apology because ALL of us are not in the group that you refer to. Hopefully you will take the time to meet some of us and you will see.....we DO love Baja for it's people and it's many beautiful places to visit. I look forward to meeting you one day. Just look for the guy that is the color of a traffic cone :lol::cool: Baja Red

Back to

Ski Baja - 1-8-2004 at 12:22 PM

If the Huarache fits. I do tend to generalize and again I apologize to those that can't wear that huarache.
Here's where I am coming from. As you know, I live in Playas de Rosarito. Basically a party town. We didn't move here for that and in fact we moved to a small Mexican community outside of town.
About 4 years after living here, some gringos from the San Gabriel Valley moved here.
They owned a bar up there somewhere and many of their friends bought out the Mexican families and they now have weekend homes here.
First thing they do is build fences to keep out the "Nationals" as they called them. Then, they wanted to ban the locals from coming to the beach here. Idiots! these people have been using this beach for many years and now the gringos want to make it private.
Well, you all know my feelings on this so after many a battle with me and the locals, they finally realized that something very bad would hapen to them if they continued this nonsense.
So now, they come down on the weekends, get so drunk they can't even talk or walk, and fight with each other. Brilliant specimens of people.
That is Rosarito.
Now, I travel throughout Baja probably more than anyone. We spent the entire month of January last year looking into areas that hadn't become american or canadian enclaves. These places were extremely hard to find because the enclaves are sprouting up everywhere. Todos Santos is getting to be like Orange County and even Punta Peque?a has become a yuppie resort.
The local Mexicans do not benefit from this as the newcomers open a restaurant and the gringos all hang out there for safety reasons. ( watch out for those theivin beaners) I hear fairly regularly from these "dudes".
And then there is Concepcion Bay. I have never seen a ruder bunch of people than the motorhome crowd that takes over those beaches. Most of them are deathly afraid of having any dealings with the locals. And as far as picking up their trash, let alone anyone elses, "why that's the Mexicans job, we don't have time for that". Again , this does not apply to everyone but enough so that it makes me sick to see so many of these marooons in action.
Which is one of the reasons why I am trying to get my environmental inspector credentials down here. I will not be making many friends in many of these enclaves but they will find out what it means to be a pig in another country.
That's where I am coming from. If I offend some, well that's a real shame. I love this country and the people that live here. And when I see foreigners causing havoc or being idiots, thay had best watch out. Mexicans are very mild mannered and don't like involving themselves in anything other than their families.
I on the other hand am not. And, I intend to do something about gringo related problems down here. So for those of you drunken speeding racers or any other clowns that think they own the world, I recommend thinking about your actions prior to finding out the consequences.
To the rest of you, keep up the good work.

Anonymous - 1-8-2004 at 12:40 PM

Keep up the good work Ski, and don't back down. You have alot of good points and it is hard not to over generalize. You obviously have read many of the posts here and know a great deal of these folks are just as you describe. They may not want to admit it but it is true. ***********************************************************************

[Edited on 1-9-2004 by BajaNomad]

Religion

Ski Baja - 1-8-2004 at 01:27 PM

And whoever the anonymous poster is that keeps quoting the psalms, you had best not be a Catholic Priest spouting off because I consider them more harmful to society than the idiots. Unless of course you are a Mexican one. They don't spend their entire sermons trying to weasle money out of the congregation and diddling little boys in the back rooms.

Anonymous - 1-8-2004 at 01:42 PM

Ski - You must really love to be unhappy.... you live in an armpit magnet for all the drunken gringo types... and then complain night and day about them! Why don't you move away from that sh*thole and give us a break? ******************* ******************

[Edited on 1-9-2004 by BajaNomad]

Natalie Ann - 1-8-2004 at 02:15 PM

I believe we should avoid posts which suggest that a member commit suicide; think that's carrying all this fun just a bit too far.

After a week with bad flu, I manage to stagger out to my computer hoping to find some wonderful tales to help me remember Baja awaits. The trip reports and photos are great, folks; thank you very, very much. But the standard whining and sniping makes me want to crawl back into my hole, which I will now do. When I return, please please feed me some of those great Baja tales - even the recycled ones.

Almost forgot: :fire:
Bible-quoter - come out from behind your frock and let us see who you are.


Anonymous - 1-8-2004 at 02:35 PM

by the way Punta Peqena is not yuppie central, maybe if you went there you would know.

Actually nameless one,

Ski Baja - 1-8-2004 at 02:38 PM

I am really pretty happy. I am doing what is necessary to at least make some of you think before you do stupid things. Many believe in what I am saying but many are of your opinion as well. Everyones entitled.
But, I bet a whole lot of people are at least thinking about what I have to say and if that causes one less piece of trash to be thrown, one less rock to be painted with "Anonymous con anonymous" or a little less paranoia in regards to relations with some of the most honest and loving humans on this planet, then I have succeeded in my goal with my rantings.
You may want to check out http://groups.msn.com/TheBajasBestGuidesPhotoAlbum before jumping to conclusions about who I am.

http://www.scorpionbay.net/indexmain.html

Ski Baja - 1-8-2004 at 02:47 PM

If Punta Peque?a is what you are trying to say, you are wrong. No condos yet but they are coming. I don't have any recent photos to put up here but I know many people that are either building or planning to build homes there.

Anonymous - 1-8-2004 at 02:56 PM

Ski,
you are right, about S.B. or P.P> since I can,t spell, I just wanted to see your response, and was sure you were going to come back with a photo or two, I truly enjoy your direct comments. To use your words lightly ( assinine comments:-) Keep up the good fight . I love the puffer fish on the beach , great job.

Keep up the good photoos as well, you have become my source for new background photos every week


Glad you are enjoying them.

Ski Baja - 1-8-2004 at 03:22 PM

I certainly enjoy taking them.:biggrin:

Anonymous - 1-8-2004 at 03:34 PM

Ya , thats what I,m talkin about,

Thanks

HAHAHA does,nt it fell good to let it out?

Not as good as

Ski Baja - 1-8-2004 at 03:39 PM

Beating the tar out of idiots hahahahahaha:lol:

Anonymous - 1-8-2004 at 03:56 PM

Good Idea, But too much work, and besides, I might hurt my casting arm and not be able to fish, to risky,

I prefer to let them dig there own hole,

with all of the bad roads, beaches, policia, and of course the booze that leads to the montezuma revenge caused by all the bad restuarants.:barf::barf:

Ski's Generalizations

Big Al - 1-8-2004 at 06:39 PM

Ski:

Well you have apologized for your negative generalizations about all of us gringos. But, the generalizations just keep on coming. This time you are overly positive about Mexicans. According to you, all that Mexicans want to do is be happy and love their families. These people are as diverse as you and I, maybe somewhat simpler in Baja, but just as diverse. If you don?t think the catholic priests in Mexico have problems like in the USA, you just aren?t watching the news. There is a big scandal going on right now about a high level priest in Mexico that is being indited for laundering drug money. Molesting boys doesn?t stop at the border either. Mexicans have similar social problems like we do. There are good members of society and bad ones.

I guess I don?t understand your anger. Mexicans are not all good and Americans are not all bad, as you would have us believe. Sit down with a Mexican in a large city and they will describe their problems to you: Being afraid of their own police, being afraid of being kidnapped and held for ransom, taking off all of your jewelry when on the metro, keeping your wallet in your front pocket, and having to park your car behind a glass topped stone wall because someone will steal it in the night. The evil American is not pulling off these crimes, they are being done by their own Mexican brothers. The Mexican people screw each other a million times more than any American screws them.

An environmental inspector, think again. Mexican pollution is born from Mexicans in general. This generalization is true: Americans are far more conscientious about picking up their trash than Mexicans. Take a look along the highways, watch as Mexicans, without thinking, casually let trash fall from the hands without thinking about. It is sad, but the Mexicans are the ones polluting their land air and water not us gringos. This is true because the environment is not a priority to them, putting food on the table, fixing a broken car or stopping the leaky roof, these are priorities.

Mexicans in the USA tend to frequent establishments owned and operated by their countrymen, just like gringos do in Mexico. They do it because they are more comfortable in these establishments, there is nothing wrong with it. Give the client what he wants and he will return. If the Mexicans don?t open up clean restaurants, with honest waiters, then some enterprising ex-patriot from the USA will fill the need. The owner will then spend his money in the community and the locals will benefit from it. The owner will need to hire staff and buy supplies. This money will be spent, don?t worry.


Stop the misdirected anger.

Big Al

Touche'!

dbrooks - 1-8-2004 at 07:03 PM

Hurray for Big Al!

I just started watching this board three days ago, and have NEVER heard such sniveling about the "Evil Americano's".

Ski, get over IT, and YOURSELF!

Education

Ski Baja - 1-8-2004 at 07:50 PM

"An environmental inspector, think again. Mexican pollution is born from Mexicans in general. This generalization is true: Americans are far more conscientious about picking up their trash than Mexicans. Take a look along the highways, watch as Mexicans, without thinking, casually let trash fall from the hands without thinking about. It is sad, but the Mexicans are the ones polluting their land air and water not us gringos. This is true because the environment is not a priority to them, putting food on the table, fixing a broken car or stopping the leaky roof, these are priorities."

Which is why we are spending so much time educating these guys. And it has been extremely productive as well because of their desire for tourism.
I have watched many Mexican friends drink their beers and break their bottles. I didn't feel it was my right to say anything then but now, through my speaking to them directly about these issues, has produced some pretty amazing results as many of you who know Baja are soon to discover.
One of the issues I am dealing with with the agencies is an overall trash cleanup project for all of the Pueblos and Ranchos.
Mexicans are not stupid by any means. The majority of them are now well aware of their environment and what it means to keep it clean and preserve it prior to it's destruction. You are very right about the past but this is now.
My argument to them is that tourists don't want to see trash. They want to promote tourism. Simple as that. There are now many clean areas that were dirty when I first arrived. This is happening everywhere. And, it will continue to happen until the peninsula stays clean.
There are many factors involved with this program but suffice it to say, they are working.
And when I moved to California, I used to play at Tin Can Beach which was named appropriately. And I don't think the Mexicans drove all that way to dump their trash.
That wasn't really all that long ago that California looked exactly the same as trashy Baja. But we learned about keeping it clean at the expense of fines.
Baja has the advantage of being populated by truly caring individuals who don't need to have fines placed on them to see the beneficial impact of a clean environment. This is why we will see a steady decrease in the amount of litter, graffitti, and other unnatural do do in a short period of time comparatively speaking. Like 2-3 years. Wish me luck if you care.
I seem to generalize constantly and I don't mean to. I only know the Baja Peninsula and not mainland Mexico so let me specify that these are the states I am dealing with and it has absolutely nothing to do with anyone other than the people of Baja.
I also realize that many of the people here are not from here but came here to get work. It is the job of the locals and their employers to educate these people about these issues. It is my job to bring up these things when I find Budweiser and Coors cans out in the middle of nowhere. To whomever I think is responsible. After a little research, I narrowed this trash down to one country.
I don't spend much time in the cities so I probably do have a biased opinion of the Mexicans. They are great people. Same as the ones out in the country in the U.S. And no offense intended but there seems to be a more laid back attitude from the country folks. No matter what country you are in.
And I didn't start this to make comparisons. I started it because I am trying to bring to light some things that need to be fixed. And if any of you agree, get busy the next time you are down here. b-tch, moan, call me names or whatever floats yer boats but pick up the trash , whether it's yours or not.
Is it offensive to you to be told the same things as the Mexicans? Or will you just be "too busy" or "it's not my problem".

Anonymous - 1-8-2004 at 08:11 PM

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind.


Proverbs 18:2

Pat yourself on the back! Twice!

FrankO - 1-8-2004 at 09:14 PM

I am glad we have this fountain of knowledge available to us. Maybe we could name it after that famous landmark at the end of the road on Punta Banda. Please, please start the stupid gringo column. Think of all the space that has been already dedicated to the vilification of idiot turistas, it's obviously a very desirable topic to, oh, I don't know, one, maybe two savants. I know it makes me laugh like hell. It's better than the editorial page :saint:

Ski

Big Al - 1-8-2004 at 09:21 PM

Ski:

It is not offensive to be told the same things that you tell Mexicans. But you blaming the whole USA is, when Mexico is the source of the vast majority of the problem. And quite frankly it isn't my problem, but that doesn't mean I don't do my share to help. good luck with your 2-3 year mission it is noble but very unrealistic. Most Mexicans don't care about litter, that is why it flys out of their car windows or over the side of the boat. They do care about money, and you explaining to them the economic results of litter may open their eyes, one by one.

Big Al

[Edited on 1-9-2004 by Big Al]

How much time

Ski Baja - 1-8-2004 at 10:05 PM

do you spend with these Mexicans? The ones that were born and raised here in Baja. Because I certainly disagree with what you are saying about them. Just like we in the U.S. had to learn the consequences of litter and pollution, so are they now doing. The U.S. may have become "enlightened"
first but to tell me what the Mexican people care about is just a little presumptuous in my opinion. And I am not talking about the imported ones that are here to work in the resort areas. I am talking about the real ones who grew up here and truly care about their peninsula.
And quite frankly, it's everybodys problem that uses this peninsula for whatever reason. That's what this education program is about. You use it, you help keep it clean. Just like everyone else with a lick of sense. And it's our jobs to educate the ones that don't.
And Franko, doesn't the fact that even your buddies haven't replied to your post tell you something ?

Mike, did you read my last post ?

Ski Baja - 1-8-2004 at 11:01 PM

And if teaching people to keep their environment clean is wrong, or impossible as some imply on here, then I guess I am wasting my time. But I don't think so whether you agree with my primitive techniques or not. (I can't afford billboards).
You would probably be surprised at the amount of support I get regarding these subjects but who cares. I call it the way I see it. Many agree with what I say whether you do or not.
As far as self promotion goes, do you hear me spouting off about the places I've been or read about and pretend to know them and name myself some sort of expert .
I share pictures and stories for everyone whether they agree with me or not. I don't share locations for obvious reasons.
I work closely with the Mexicans down here and I am relaying theirs as well as my feelings. We are all guilty and I expect us all to help remedy the problem. Mexicans and foreigners alike. If some of you can't understand that, it doesn't surprise me.

FrankO - 1-8-2004 at 11:40 PM

Of all the people from el norte that have lived in the out of the way places for extended periods of time Humfreville has to be right there with the top of the old school. You are a blowhard motherflocker. But, I guess, it's good to be a legend in your own mind. To me you're a cartoon and I my "buddies" don't need need to respond. I speak for myself and don't need anyone's affirmations. My opinion is my own and not some aggrandized bullchit that I need everyone else to adopt.

I've been trying to figrure out

Chris Holmstead - 1-9-2004 at 12:01 AM

how to respond to SkiBaja, but he's like an eight armed slipery swamp creature and my ex-wife combined, you just can't win the wrassling match and there is no way you're going to get the last word.

I'm glad for Franko and Mike H. who have pretty well covered what needs to be said. I will only add that at first I thought SkiBaja was just out to yank people's chains and couldn't understand why, I now realize that he is serious, something that puzzles me even more.

Who is attacking whom?

Herb - 1-9-2004 at 01:33 AM

I find the entire direction of this debate fascinating and sad. We have an entire thread devoted to attacking one user. What I find most interesting, but not surprising, is the personal anger directed at him. If you read his posts carefully, he assails an attitude and way of life that is attributed to Americans in general. (And by the way, he did not invent this point of view. It is a view widely held among many of the world?s people and, although not wholly accurate, much of it has been earned.) Yet, it appears that Americans (yes I?m painting with the same broad brush here) by and large feel they have to defend the honor of America or Americans when someone says something disparaging about us as a whole. Even that is not so bad, but why in the world do we feel we have to do it with personal attacks? Even Mike H piled on which surprised me because I have an immense amount of respect for him just based on what I have read of his writings.

Ski Baja?s posts never start out with you so-and-so you do all these bad things. (There has been maybe one exception that I can recall) But by and large, he speaks about Americans in general, yet people who disagree with his point of view respond with personal insults. (Well, except for the compulsive scripture quote person. What?s up w/that?) If the people on this board are not the ones he is talking about, then why are you all so defensive and feel the need to attack so harshly and disrespectfully. I suspect that many are just as angry with some of the truth in his words and we don?t want to admit that our ?perfect world? in the US has its problems too. Some food for thought: Name what you believe to be the most undesirable cities in Baja. They either border, or very nearly border the US or have major airports that a lot of gringos fly into don?t they. But the same is not true here. Why is that? Hmmmm!

The fact is that most of us would not be Baja travelers (or residents) if we did not agree to some extent about the inherent differences between the general outlooks of people in the two nations. Heck, I live within walking distance of 2 of the world?s nicest beaches, Hermosa and Redondo Beach. There are plenty of challenging off road trails that I can and do explore in Death Valley, the Sierra Nevada, the Mojave Desert and the states of Nevada and Utah. But we know that there is something special about Baja and its people and it is better that what we normally encounter in the States. On a trip in October of last year, I picked up hitchhikers on 3 separate occasions. Something I would never do here. Would most of you let your guard down back home the way you do on the ?Magnificent Peninsula??

JR/Ski Baja is nothing more than a man with a cause that has become his life. The world is generally a better place because of people with causes when they truly care about people. At least he is physically doing something about it and not just whining on some message board about how much things suck. And his tactics do work. I had really gotten to view Baja as my own personal photo studio and Disneyland just get away from it all. I did not try to avoid Mexicans in particular, but began to look for places to get away from all people with my family.

In October of last year, while planning a trip down south, I read Skeet?s and JR?s pleas for assistance for the folks down south who were devastated by the hurricanes. I realized that I needed to give something back to these wonderful folks because they provided a world that I enjoyed so much as a break from the madness of day-to-day city/corporate life. I e-mailed JR and asked what I could do to help. I made a trek to San Javier to deliver supplies at his request and have made true friends for life that I will forever go out of my way to visit and to help.

So common folks, if you really care about this place that we all claim to love, let?s start by showing a little respect for one another. If you have beef with any of your fellow Baja travelers, then let?s settle it the Mexican way over a few cervezas and a shot or two of anejo. I challenge anyone to try and resolve any gripes you may have that way and still walk away mad. I have met Ski/JR personally and I?ll bethcha you couldn?t do the same and walk away with as much anger and hatred as has been displayed sitting at a keyboard behind a monitor.

Feliz Ano Nuevo y Saludos a Todos!

Ken Thomas

a.k.a. Herb

Herb - 1-9-2004 at 02:25 AM

Hey Mike,

by the way, I didn't mean to sound like a Baja snob (or a wine snob). I also consider myself something of a wine connoisseur, but from what I read, such matters can be resolved over box wine as well! Vino es vino y esta bien en qualquier forma! Check your U2U.

Anonymous - 1-9-2004 at 02:29 AM

Sorry, but this reader, lurker and sometime poster has lost ALL respect for the up-until-now esteemable Mike H.

I am surprised at such hostility, Mike. In accusing Ski of being anti-American I think you have revealed an important aspect of yourself. Just because Ski has chosen to venture beyond your safe and insulated world and actually propose solutions for problems he is attacked, and by the least expected individual.

You have obviously succumbed to the need to tidy up opinions and to prune humanity to an accepted range of behaviors. It makes me think of how it is the fate of those who think and act outside of the box of accepted thoughts and actions to fit themselves into the gaps between noisier, blunter lives, where they are gradually squeezed out by small and mean people like yourself.


Hang in there, Ski.

Nikon - 1-9-2004 at 08:57 AM

Mike H, you have summed up the individual accurately. You are to be congratulated on your insight.

Meaning what you say.

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 09:36 AM

Mike, as far as gaining your respect, I thought I was doing well when you said you weren't going to open my posts anymore. Well, here you are calling names again. Another thing that bothers me about the gringos, you can't believe a word they say. In the "rural" areas I go to, a handshake still means everything. Let alone if you say you are going to do something, you had best follow through.
Here's a suggestion for you clowns. If you really care about the people of Baja
like I do, shut your traps and take them some items. And Mike, I am using too much gas on these "self promotional" delivery trips which is why I have been directing people to take things down themselves.
You girlz may find it hard to believe but so far, 60% of the people that read my babble agree with me and the other 40% are the whiners from this board. Basically meaning you and your little group of BDLA buddies that think they now own this board and are "Baja O fishy o nadas".
You come down here for your vacations and pretend to know what you are talking about when it comes to Baja. I'm sure you have spent more time here than some but still, your short vacations here do not put you in any position to consider yourselves experts. And if you consider spending some time at BDLA being "rural" Baja, I guess you were lucky to get out alive. ****** :lol:

[Edited on 1-10-2004 by BajaNomad]

The flock

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 09:42 AM

Chris, you asked for some advice as to what to do with donations. Why don't you take the advice and shut up!
Those of you patriots who can't accept what I am saying have your heads buried pretty deep somewhere brown. And because of the fact that you all are taking what I say so personally, I guess I hit my target.
Franko, it seems to me that the wrath of Humphreville applies more to you than me.

Anonymous - 1-9-2004 at 10:07 AM

Mike anon

THE LEGS OF THE LAME ARE NOT EQUAL:SO IS A PARABLE IN THE MOUTH OF FOOLS.

Proverbs 26:7

Time with Mexicans

Big Al - 1-9-2004 at 10:20 AM

Ski:

You ask how much time I spend with Mexicans, well it's 24 hours a day. My wife was born and raised in Mexico until the day of our wedding, my kids hold dual citizenship. We have been together since 1984.

Don't get me wrong I think your mission is a good and noble mission, but I think your expectations are lofty. I wasn't around in the 50's, when the USA was campaining against litter. I grew up, in the late 60's, 70's and into the early 80's. I still remember the commercial of a tear coming down the cheek of an American indian when trash was thrown out a car window. i vividly remember my parents telling me training me not to litter. I remember my, now 92 year old grandfather telling me not to litter. It takes multiple generations to reach the level we have today. That is my point. But you must start sometime and now is better than tomorrow.

Once again, I don't understand all of the anger and anti- American sentiment. Like it or not this is the greatest country in the world, period. The problems with border towns is not that they are adjacent to the USA. It's is the overpopulation and the lack of infrastucture for the paracaedistas. The simple migratory population makes the people feel that this town is not there home and the are there for a short period of time and end up staying longer thatn they want to.


Natalie Ann - 1-9-2004 at 11:06 AM

I would like to thank J.R. for helping me to help the people of Baja who are in need. So many people in Baja have given so much to DH and I - friendship, food, invitations to family gatherings, beautiful and interesting spots to visit... it only seems fair to give back to those in need. For me, J.R.'s travels have been a gift. Even when I cannot personally deliver items, J.R. can. He has excellent resources regarding distribution and always writes to tell me how my $ was spent and who it helped. I have never been dissatisfied. So muchas gracias, mi amigo J.R., for the good work you're doing. (And for those who will criticize our donations to Baja poor, be assured a significant portion of my monthly disability check also goes to charities and the poor in the U.S.)

I too was somewhat surprised, Mike H., by your lashing out at J.R. Although he do be rather opinionated (GBG), he certainly does not deserve the name-calling. And now look what nastiness THAT has brought to this board - a wretched morning read. Take MA's advice, Mike, let it go. Overreaction does not well suit you. But your Baja stories - they're among the best and I look forward to many more, thank you.:)

Anonymous - 1-9-2004 at 11:29 AM

The pump don't work because the vandals stole the handles.

Bob Dylan

Natalie Ann - 1-9-2004 at 12:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mike Humfreville
I too think JR does a wonderful thing in supporting the locals of Baja. But there is another, darker side to his personality (mine too. And you?) where he has to promote his own self esteem by putting others down. Most of us love and care for Baja California, each in our own ways.


Yes, Luke, there is a dark side to us all. I just think that putting someone down because you perceive they've put you down is not the best way to go. Pretty soon all our dark sides will be showing... AND WE'LL ALL HAVE TO HEAD TO BAJA TO REGAIN THE LIGHT.;)

If the Huarache fits !

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 12:18 PM


Anonymous - 1-9-2004 at 01:59 PM

Ski Baja:

The Great White Interloper.... Protector of all things Mexican.... More Mexican than thou..... :barf:

You must be a real :moon: muncher to live next to!

With that kind of attitude,

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 02:10 PM

you would certainly find out soon enough, like the rest of the Bozos that came down from LA.:lol:

Forked tongues

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 02:24 PM

Whatever you say Franko.

FrankO - 1-9-2004 at 03:29 PM

Nothing duplicitous in there. Apparently only whatever you say is truth. :moon:.
Maybe there'll be more participation now. As an ignorant guerro I await this column w/baited breath. How come you don't get this level of participation on your own site? That baja S & R is a big hit. You get to exploit the very folks you hate. To qoute *****;":lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:".

[Edited on 1-10-2004 by BajaNomad]

Frankos replies

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 03:48 PM

Every time I see a new one, it puts a smile on my face. Thanks Franko.

FrankO - 1-9-2004 at 04:34 PM

De nada.

In spite of our quibbling

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 04:47 PM

Pacificos n Ice Cream on me in the wilds!:lol:

hey mateo... out of all the stupid stuff on this

capt. mike - 1-9-2004 at 04:53 PM

pointless self serving to many thread... yours was the only one worth reading... tooo funny amigo, you rock!!

Anonymous - 1-9-2004 at 05:07 PM

Jeez, what would you all do if there was no internet?

:?:

Pulling my head out

Chris Holmstead - 1-9-2004 at 06:25 PM

Wow! I've been told to shut up by a senoir nomand can I get out of time out when I am one too, (what does it take), I'm afraid it won't do any good though, by that time Ski Baja will probably promote himself to a Saint Baja. Is it too soon to kneel lt at his feet.

I have seen the light or maybe it was just the glow of Ski's sunny personality?

What the hell I'm bored and for some reason I just thought of this:
It was 1988, my first time going as far south as La Paz, we stopped at a gas station just outside of the city on the right. A boy tried to climb up the front of my new campervan to wash the windows. I didn't want him to scratch it so I held him up while he did his thing, and gave him a couple of bucks, and he asked in Spanish and pantomime to see the inside of the van. He was impressed, he petted the dog and put his hand on my two year old daughter's blonde head for good luck he told me. I only rembember this because after the second time I met him I looked back through my journals.

Skip to 1993, the same gas station, a young man starts washing the windshield and asks me in pretty good Enlish if I remember him. I say "No." He says, "I remeber you as he motions at the rig. He remembers the big red dog and the little blonde girl, after cleaning the windshield we went inside for him to say hi again. I was impressed, asked him about himself. His father ran the station and he was putting himself through an english speaking high school so that he could get a good job and help his younger brother and sisters through school. I asked why he wasn't in school that day? he told me he had run out of money, when he had it he would finish, I asked how much? it was two hundred dollars. I gave him a couple bucks for washing the winshield, and two hundred to get his ass back to school, my wife was furios. I asked him about going to college, he shrugged, "Maybe who knows?" I gave him my address and told him to write me if he ever needed help for school.
I recieved one letter from him, he didn't need my help because an organization of retired Americans living La Paz had selected him and he was going to college thanks to them, but he was still washing windows to help his brother and sisters go to the English school.

There is no large point to that, that I'm trying to make, some of the things that people here have said about all the good Ski does and what the rest of us are not doing just got me thinking about what I have done. Is it enough? I've brought clothes a few times, had one bad experience where the person I handed them over to took them and then sold them to the people I wanted to have them. One year I piled the top of my truck with kid sized moutain bikes that I had bought for ten or twenty dollars a piece, others were donated by friends. I passed them out at one of the tomato picker's schools and was sad when there wasn't enough to go around. I asked them to share, who knows if they did or not. I helped place a 14 year old orphan, living with an aunt in San Flippy, with a Mexican American family in Salt Lake City so that he could go to high school, and possibly college, but he didn't last long because he said he could make more money selling Jewelry on the beach, and found his way back to SF.
So I've done my little part, the question again is; is it enough? I hope so, because it isn't in me to devote my life to it. I go to Baja for my own mental good, I don't cause any harm, have been known to pick up other people's trash, there and state side. Almost every one that I know that goes down does some little thing.

All of these little things add up, at least I hope they do. SKibaja may do more as an individual, but he's not the only one, just the only one telling me to shut up and pull my head out. Hopefully some day that will happen. I've been trying for forty seven years and I am committed to that project, I want to get there before I die. Ski gives me inspiration, if he's done it then I certainly can.

Hey Ski

M - 1-9-2004 at 06:51 PM

I have read all these posts and believe it or not, I admire your spirit and drive to help the Mexicans, bringing relief after the hurricane etc. One fellow posted that he responded to your request of hurricane aid, came down and met you and said he now has a friend for life. I believe it!

I agree with your actions and agree I HAVE met some of the people you describe, BUT I do not understand your anger towards ALL of us since few of us even remotely fits your hostile descriptions.

You never answered my last inquiry whether you would go to the Baja Bash at Cielito Lindo. Even those that have gotten frustrated and fed up with you are mostly sweethearts and would much rather get to know you and be your friend than bicker with you.

How about a group of us organizing neighborhood drives to gather bikes, sporting equipment, clothes school books etc. so we can caravan down, Ski can show us his favorite distribution sites, we can go to dinner, camp, party, just have a great weekend. I think many friends can be made. There are a lot of new people on this board I would love to meet.

How bout it J.R?
M

M

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 07:19 PM

You know what's wrong with this board, I can't see all of the posts after I hit reply so I can see them when I am replying. Doug ? Any solutions ?
M, again I see what a truly caring Human Being you are.
As far as accusing all of you, I apologized for generalizing a number of times ( I am very bad about that) and explained if the Huarache fit, wear it, if anyone understood. Obviously, it wasn't hard to find many that wear that size as you know if you read all the posts. :lol:
I will tell you a little secret since most of us are now beginning to chill. I believe in what I say in my heart. That's why I am unfaltering with my beliefs and statements. My personal beliefs unfortunately include the majority of the people I am talking about so I generalize.
Now, the reason for that Baja/Disneyland post had 2 reasons.
1. To raise awareness of certain issues.
2. To see exactly who on here could wear above mentioned huaraches.
As far as these went, I had a complete success.
As far as raising awareness goes, I have already read comments on other boards using comparisons to my ramblings.
As far as selling my Huaraches, I seem to have a booming business. hahahahahaha:lol::lol::lol:
The Baja Bash: Depends on whether I am North or South but if I am up here, I already replied to someone about it and would love to go.
Nevertheless, our neighbors have trailers down there so I am set up for sleeping. Now, if I can just work out the $5.00 meals !
As they say in the good ol U.S., "Peace out Dudes".:light:

elgatoloco - 1-9-2004 at 07:24 PM

Hey nice rainbow!

I hear, I know. I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

Confucious say.

Chris and Mike

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 07:40 PM

Not once have I asked for praise or said one word about what I have given these people. I take donations from true human beings and deliver it to others that need things.
I may or may not contribute things to these people but that really doesn't matter. And again, when I do take things down, I look like a beaner mobile and get about 5 miles to the gallon for 800 miles.
I enjoy doing it so I don't care about that and I am doing many other things down there as well so that really is insignificant.
But, I would much rather see all of everybody doing the same things that I do when you all are down here. Sounds like you are already doing that in a huge way Chris and I think what you have done is awesome. Now, if everyone does that, my whining will have a major effect, won't it?

Thanks Gato

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 07:42 PM


4baja - 1-9-2004 at 08:59 PM

i've read the post and have had my turtle soup so its time for bed, good night.:coolup:

Turtles

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 09:17 PM

Could you save me a "to go" bag? I have yet to try it.

I think

Chris Holmstead - 1-9-2004 at 10:46 PM

I started doing it way before you started whining, and what I have done is not awsome, it's been things we don't need up here in my little town; our throw aways, and it's been a pain in the butt sometimes hauling it down there. But the kick I got got from the kids over the bikes was grand. A friend of mine that owned a bike shop tuned them all up and slimed the tires. It's too bad that Dean didn't g4t too see the kids peddling away.

Could you please run through your list

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 11:10 PM

one more time. If you are so experienced at this dude, why are you asking what to do with it on the Travelers board.
Why don't you just drop it and carry on with your good deeds?:light:

Simply put

Chris Holmstead - 1-9-2004 at 11:26 PM

I heard that there were people that could get it to the neediest. I had grand ideas like you of doing the most good. Sorry, didn't mean to step on your toes.

I already told you where to take them

Ski Baja - 1-9-2004 at 11:50 PM

so, what's the problem ?

To the point

Chris Holmstead - 1-10-2004 at 12:19 AM

I don't trust you :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::O:O:O:O:mad::mad::mad::mad:::lol::lol::lol::lol::light:

Anonymous - 1-10-2004 at 12:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Anonymous

".....You have obviously succumbed to the need to tidy up opinions and to prune humanity to an accepted range of behaviors. It makes me think of how it is the fate of those who think and act outside of the box of accepted thoughts and actions to fit themselves into the gaps between noisier, blunter lives, where they are gradually squeezed out by small and mean people like yourself....."


Wow...I don't... at all... like what you said but I loved the way you said it!

Anonymous - 1-10-2004 at 11:52 AM

Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel .

Bierce

SKI BAJA

Anonymous - 1-10-2004 at 12:08 PM

A couple of months back there was a topic heading that bared my handle Fly fishing' Pam

I think it got only about a dozen responses. Man Ski, you are one popular dude! Rock on

Fly Fishin' Pam

Popularity or Pity???

JZ - 1-10-2004 at 12:21 PM



PITY.

This guy wants to alternatively insult folks and play nicely...

Doesn't work that way... Don't ever forget the insults...



Anonymous - 1-10-2004 at 12:35 PM

The ineffable joy of forgiving and being forgiven forms an ecstasy that might well arouse the envy of the gods."
-Elbert Hubbard, The Note Book, 1927

Jizz

Ski Baja - 1-10-2004 at 12:38 PM

See posting by Grover in the Rosarito post. I think it has your name written all over it. :lol: