Faces of Baja

Just got back from a trip south and this is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. We were sitting in a restaurant when this guy walked in to give some watermelons to the owner of the restaurant. I couldn't help but grab my camera. I was told he is 80 years old and is almost deaf. If you have any cool pics of the people down there then post a few for us to enjoy.

2 Brothers

[Edited on 3-5-2007 by cpg]

Quote:

Originally posted by Cardon Just got back from a trip south and this is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. We were sitting in a restaurant when this guy walked in to give some watermelons to the owner of the restaurant. I couldn't help but grab my camera. I was told he is 80 years old and is almost deaf. If you have any cool pics of the people down there then post a few for us to enjoy.

This is Jose my 73 year old neighbor, taken back in Feb. I believe he has a few more teeth than the gentleman in the first picture, but not by much. I don't have to pay him for posing but we do have coffee together most every morning.
burro bob

This is Kernia. She is the granddaughter of a lady that cooks for Jose and I a couple of times a week. Kernia has more teeth than either of the other old geezers. She also likes to have her picture taken.
If anything the face of Baja is going to look a lot more like Kernia than Jose. Lots of kids down here.
burro bob

Ken, These photos were taken in a little village called Las Positas which is about 10k north of El Cien. When I saw this guy walk into the restaurant I didn't ask permission I just took a candid shot but the owner saw me and he threw his arm around the old guy and they both posed for pictures.



I frequently ask for permission but not always. I tend to make quick judgements as to if it would be ok to snap away. If someone says "no" (which is rare) then of course I honor that "no". In this case I'll make copies of the prints and take them down as gifts next time I visit Baja. The people in Baja love to get good quality photos of themselves and their families.

Even though this guy is 80 you might not want to mess around with him, he carries a sizable knife.

Very happy boy receiving a bike courtesy of Baja Nomads during the Dia de Reyes this year in Tijuana.

A 'model' for this mural...

We were visiting San Jose del Cabo and staying at the Tropicana Hotel when I noticed that this lovely senorita could have indeed posed for the tortilla-making lady in the wall mural. A happy event ensued when she glaciously consented to be photographed alongside her tiled image. My wife did the honors with the camera ..and with our 'thanks'. How about that smile...nice, huh?

la senora mercedes

one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. the matriarch of the fish camp at pta. san jose. i have a very special place in my heart for this very special woman.

[Edited on 3-6-2007 by woody in ob]

A smiling teenage boy...Jorge, 1960

The same smile...over 40 years later.

Jesus Flores

In 1960+/-



In 2002



Here Jesus autographs his photo in my copy of Hidden Heart of Baja.



Jesus told Erle he had a map to a Spanish mine that Gardner was considering to purchase... In the chaper 'The Lost Mine'

[Edited on 3-6-2007 by David K]

2005, , in San Borja

It is not a good face foto but a good Baja personalaty. I bet he is still there in 2025. The guy on the left not me or the dog.

[Edited on 3-6-2007 by pangamadness]

I am sure many of you know know the lady on the left, a Baja native. How knows the lady on the right, a world traveler and Baja 1000 racer?
Sedoso

[Edited on 3-6-2007 by BajaSedoso]

[Edited on 3-6-2007 by BajaSedoso]

Another Baja "Face" near Catavina

[Edited on 3-6-2007 by BajaSedoso]
Still trying to get this resizing right the first time

[Edited on 3-6-2007 by BajaSedoso]

Judy Smith?



[Edited on 3-6-2007 by David K]

Judy Smith?


Nope, but I know from one of your previous posts that you have met her

You know both Judy and Aletha Patchen look alike to me... I know them both! Figures I would lose a 50-50 guess! LOL

Here is Aletha Patchen from the same party that Judy was at (Viva Baja #4, Feb. '03)...



Here is Aletha and Marvin near their desert home, Feb. '05 when we spent the weekend out there...



See more of that weekend at http://vivabaja.com/patchen/ (those of you who know the Patchens... know about their hospitality and hot tub!)

[Edited on 3-6-2007 by David K]

Sure, David..lots of the old timers are still around.

Here's Ricardo from Gardner's days in Baja...

And Ricardo now....

This time you are correct DK, it is a picture of Aletha and Mathilde at Rancho Santa Inez taken in December of 2005. I do not know Judy but I can see the resemblence from your picture.

Here is a picture of Marv and Aletha in front of their cabin in Catavina taken in Dec 05 as well.

Here's the inside of their great Baja Adventure's book... They did it all!

The Californios

This picture book by Leland Foerster has the faces of the oldest families in Baja. An intriguing look into how life was.

trying again to attach photo, see previous post.

A familiar face..from the early sixties..Nancy

A pretty Mulege senorita.

And today...still the same..

Don and Nancy Johnson...legends of Baja and owners of the Serinadad Hotel in Mulege.

Another old Baja hand...Blackjack...Gardner trip ramrod

plus inventor of various gadgets and vehicles...always a very nice fellow.

About 1978...Coyote Bay

Blackjack (JW) was a water witcher also...but really didn't like water all that much. He brought this little boat along so his wife could enjoy her love of fishing.

Blackjack is a master storyteller around the campfire and I have great memories of nights filled with good comraderie.

Blackjack and wife, Lois. Can anyone ID the gal in the middle?

This photo was taken next to Posada in Conception Bay. Anyone traveling the Baja Road from 1974 to 1986 would have most likely known this very gracious senorita. Hint: She had a dive shop and general store.

[Edited on 3-10-2007 by Pompano]

Another unforgetable Baja hombre..."Fingers"

This somewhat perpetually inebriated character was a daily sight around Mulege for many years.

He often 'took a nap' on the street ..the cars and trucks would just slowly go around him.

Life in a village allows that...those were precious days...ah, well.

Progress caught up to him at last though.

One day Mulege got paved streets...and with that a city water truck to wash them clean.

On this fine day, while Fingers was sleeping one off, they tried washing him clean too.

I can imagine his thoughts..."Ah, carumba!...some Spray & Wash for the next time, no?"


[Edited on 3-10-2007 by Pompano]