Unfortunately, I am writing to report a bad experience I had at Costa Baja. I work in La Paz and often "dar un vuelta" driving up the malecon and pass
around the Costa Baja Marina to check on our boats and enjoy the afternoon. For us in La Paz the drive is one of great pleasures since it is peaceful
and beautiful, most drive slowly and few drive like its a race track. Yesterday while passing El Coromuel beach a Costa Baja Hotel transit began to
wave frantically for me to drive faster and honk, even though the road is two lanes in each direction and no one impeded his progress. He continued
and honked and waved again and flipped me the bird as passed. I continued and saw him enter the same marina as I and I followed him as he stopped in
front of the Hotel Lobby, so I asked "que tiene?" and what followed was a tirade about how I should go faster for him to get to his appointments,
aggressive talk, etc.. while I tried to encourage him to be tranquilo and enjoy the malecon and let people be in peace, the hotel manager came up and
said I am going to have you arrested for being here to me, I said excuse me please your driver was driving aggressively and is obviously out of line
just give me your name and I will call to speak to you or your supervisor later, to which he replied no I am going to arrest you. So I left, of
course, to enjoy the day and my life in la paz.
This is not the first experience like that while being on the grounds of Costa Baja, my mexican friends are often bugged when they visit, the security
come to bug you and threaten to arrest you when you arrive home late or have friends visiting. Of course I have never actually been arrested. But
unfortunately, I am paying a lot of money to enjoy my experience there boating and in the restaurants etc... I bring many friends and occasionally we
have a lot of fun which is most often met with some confrontation with the security who acts arrogant and aggressive until I talk them down. They
seem to have the attittude at Costa Baja that the workers are there to intimidate. Ha! The mood is so different from peaceful La Paz that it really
isn't La Paz and unfortunately this mood is reflected throughout the Costa Baja development, the boat owners and the workers don't wave a happy salute
as they might at Marina La Paz or Palmira or anywhere else. Of course most yachts there are larger and empty which might relate to its personality,
who knows, but it does have a negative feeling.
This goes out as just a warning what to expect there based on my experiences and also I'd like to know your experience visiting Costa Baja. Did you
enjoy your visit there, would you spend your money there again? For me the answer is less and less.Iflyfish - 5-8-2007 at 10:03 AM
I appreciate your sharing your experience with us.
I noticed the speed and aggression of the drivers from resorts around Cabo on our recent trip.
I am always careful not to engage directly as I know that there are now many drivers who are pumped up on Meth. I am not saying that the driver you
ran into was using it, but I know there is a lot of it going around.
It seems like when people get into their vehicles that the child in them is let loose and that then they are in their own world. You have a mellow
world my friend, many others do not.
Interactions like you were engaged in can lead to violence, in this case it lead to aggression. I am sorry that you experienced this in the area that
you love so well.
I live in Oregon and have noticed that the speed and aggression of drivers here has also increased, this may be an outcome of many social changes that
are occuring here also as the population increases.
My best to you, avia bien Nomad.
Iflyfishgnukid - 5-8-2007 at 03:04 PM
thanks for your kind words,
I do need to be aware of exactly what you state, that meth changes peoples behavior and makes even neighbors act different-smile and wave... I have a
lot of friends here in la paz and quite a few are fighting the demon of drugs-all kinds, it rarely touches me though I see the black eyes and scars
between brothers and friends daily. I am about to make the drive from LAP-SF and am working myself up I am sure, prepping myself too much etc... but
your words are the right tone for this trip.
As an aside, as a new yorker first, I sometimes feel that when people push you, you should push back, however I have learned over time in California
it is best to ignore, ignore and ignore and move happily along, of course it helps when you have friend with you, your dog.
Thanks, still, it appears Costa baja is not a nice place.Fred - 5-8-2007 at 03:07 PM
Hey Flyfis.................where is Oregon? I spent the last year and a half in Brookings.Iflyfish - 5-8-2007 at 03:14 PM
So Fred, you are in the banana belt. Nice there in Brookings.
We are in Beaverton, home of Nike and Intel. Great place to be spring and summer.
We spent a couple of weeks this winter in La Paz and loved that city! Met some wonderful Nomads there, Comitan and his lovely wife amoung them. We
also ran into some pressured and hostile people, though they were certainly in the minority.
IflyfishFred - 5-8-2007 at 03:59 PM
Iflyfish......heading to Baja tomorrow. Plan on spending 11 of the next 12 months there. That is if I don't run into a female. Brookings was great,
but Baja was calling and she did not want to come. Hope to meet some nomads in the next 2 trips.dr650 - 5-8-2007 at 05:15 PM
Fred,
If she doesn't want to come, there's nothing you can do to make her come. Let her go. Find another woman in Baja. Treat her right and she'll ...
.... appreciate it. So will you.
MurphyFred - 5-9-2007 at 10:38 AM
dr650...........she gone.........long goneMexitron - 5-9-2007 at 11:56 AM
Iflyfish, Fred--I was in Bandon,OR all last year until my old sweetheart got me to move to Fort Worth...beautiful up there.
Yep, I learned a long time ago in California to ignore road ragers, let 'em pass by if you can...bummer to hear its in Baja though.comitan - 5-9-2007 at 01:04 PM
After living the last 13n years in La Paz I'm amazed at how courteous most of the drivers are I think much more than in the US, but they still like to
run stop lights, but not signals.oxxo - 5-9-2007 at 01:48 PM
My boat is berthed at Marina Costa Baja. I have found the staff to be very friendly, pleasant, and professional. I have talked to some boaters who
have recently moved from Marina Palmira to Marina Costa Baja. They say the staff at Marina Costa Baja is much friendlier and more helpful than the
staff at Marina Palmira.
There is no Costa Baja Hotel. There is a hotel at Marina Costa Baja but it is not at Coromuel Beach. I think Gnukid is confused as to where this
happened.vandenberg - 5-9-2007 at 02:14 PM
Am I the only one that gets the uncomfortable feeling that Gnukids ranting was maybe self induced. Why even mention Meth ? Been to Costa Baja several
times and always was treated courteous by every one there. Why would the hotel people threaten him with arrest. Some food for thoughtcomitan - 5-9-2007 at 02:40 PM
Vandenberg
I have to agree with you, I researched back posts and he has had so many problems here in La Paz I wonder why he is staying here.gnukid - 5-9-2007 at 04:30 PM
I live here and experience many many things every day. Another poster mentioned meth and suggested aggresiveness is a result of drugs. He might be
right. I am happy for those who experience no problems ever but how is that?
I have few real problems, never had a flat tire, no accidents, no broken bones, I have never been hurt seriously, ever. I am someone who lives life
throughout the baja outdoors, unlike some happy people who stay on their yachts or enjoy living indoors. I go out 4x4 up every arroyo, boating every
bay, driving every calle. I have thousands of friends here, sometimes more, sometimes less. But that doesn't stop me from finding myself in odd
circumstances all day every day, seems the more friends the more odd circumstances. Sorry that might offend some people's concepts of mexico. It is
still far more peaceful and safe here in la paz than anywhere else I have been though I have rarely truly been touched by violence. Except recently
when my then girlfriend began to choke me because according to her I didn't sweep the floor well. If I actually told you all the stories in just the
last three days I guess you might be more inclined to blame me.
Yesterday, my nice neighbor Chito who I have known for years asked me to borrow tools, so I gave him my crescent set and a tool box full of general
stuff, moments later I found his brother Miguel in the street beaten to a pulp, Chito was gone. It appears Chito wanted cinquenta pesos and was mad
that Miguel had had work for some time and didn't give him money. The police were called and now Chito is in jail, he said he took the tools and
traded them from Chukie whatever that is. Thats the first time I have lost anything of real value. And sure it bugs me a little. But the tools are
easliy replaceable.
This morning at 6am I heard a Oiga, Oiga, Oiga (hey) outside which I ignored but after 30 minutes I went outside and there was a guy I had never seen
before who said, you know me I am the friend of Zandra I need help with my car can you please give me cien pesos and your tools... I blustered no the
tools are gone now, please I can't help anymore. He pleaded to me that his car was near and could I go with him to check the terminals and cables and
try for a jump so I agreed. Driving with him, I asked where did he live and where was the car and where was he going... the story fell apart and
didn't make sense, I realized I found myself pulling into a setup of a bunch of guys who obviously needed money strungout at dawn, I told the guy,
fuera and luckily got away, so I could go do my laundry.
It goes on and on, sure I am too nice, that is a life long fault. I am always learning to be cautious and so forth but it is hard to retrain a
boyscout.
In the afternoon I asked a female friend if she and her boyfriend and any other friends would like to go for a michelada, she said yes and then the
text messages began to fly. Moments later I was under attack for apparently asking her out on a date and now she is a bad person and so am I... If I
even began to tell you the torturous lies that women tell each about about each other in this town every day and for what? Fun? Who knows?
Truly though I am not suffering. I am fine, probably just great, just shocked at times at the differences here which yes I might agree are brought on
by gringos being gringos in front of mexicans being mexicans. Tell me I should've gotten married to the first girl I met 20 years ago and sat inside
for the rest of my life. Call me guilty, for having four tires on my nice clean car with a full tank of gas which is apparently enough to send half of
mexico into a jealous rage.
Obvioulsy I like living here, I like it alot, you'll notice when you meet me. I am very happy just a little surprised each day at things that happen.
I write about it. I take alot of pictures and sometimes I publish it as art.
Voy a dar una vuelta, saludos. Pablovandenberg - 5-9-2007 at 04:48 PM
Gnukid,
Thank you,
You just made my casetripledigitken - 5-9-2007 at 04:56 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Gnukid,
Thank you,
You just made my case
Now THAT'S funny.
bajalera - 5-10-2007 at 02:05 PM
You're not alone, Van.Bruce R Leech - 5-10-2007 at 04:55 PM
gnukid I think you are hanging with the wrong crowdSharksbaja - 5-10-2007 at 05:23 PM
"I have few real problems....."
"I have thousands of friends here, sometimes more, sometimes less."
"...she said yes and then the text messages began to fly. Moments later I was under attack"
"Chito was gone. It appears Chito wanted cinquenta pesos and was mad that Miguel had had work for some time and didn't give him money. The police
were called and now Chito is in jail, he said he took the tools and traded them from Chukie whatever that is."
--------------
These, my dear friend.....are no friends.
You need to hang with smaller crowds!fdt - 5-10-2007 at 06:42 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
I am very happy just a little surprised each day at things that happen. I write about it. I take alot of pictures and sometimes I publish it as art.
maybe you could post some pics for us so we can "Truly" understand?
And who is Zandra?gnukid - 5-11-2007 at 09:32 AM
Sharks,
Yes less contact with the public at large would decrease my chances of weird situations. I unfortunately grew up in a very large family on City island
in the Bronx and am more comfortable in groups and family social settings then being alone, though I will be careful.
Van, hardy har har. harumph.
I read your comments which insinuate that run-ins with "nar do wells" or "no goods" in Baja is in someway caused or the result of a fault of mine, the
victim of a neighborhood theft. I appreciate that your attempt to suggest that the victim is at fault may be an attempt to make you feel more safe,
however that is in no way a fair assessment nor kind to me. If it makes you feel good to assuage the reputation of another nomad, do it.
To the point of the message, contrary to Van's convoluted curmudgeon logic, it is more likely that La Paz is a young city experiencing dramatic
growing pains, social and economic. Incorporated in 1974, the promises are great which draw many people here. But truly there are few with a long
history or tradition of hard work and success in business. Few people in my neighborhood have any regular income to meet their needs, many residents
simply sold land somewhere and they spend the little money money they have with no real savings or plan for the future. Many have nothing. For those
who arrive here with dreams of business or real estate success many will find if you have money, people will promise you things they can't provide or
lack experience to provide and in effect you may commonly receive less than what was contracted or expected in dealings. It doesn't imply either party
is an inherently bad person, Van. Though some are bad people, some lack experience and some lack opportunity. You gotta be real careful, kind and a
little stubborn.
I am hardly one who is taken advantage of, though I help where I am able such as I tried to when I complied with Chito's request or may I add in
trying to help Costa Baja manage their staff better or helping my buddy move this week. If I had gotten a more polite response from the people there
at Costa Baja I would still be there. I feel that helping others who ask for help or, are less fortunate or, being involved in assisting callous
business people be more knowledgeable about how to effectively manage a marina resort for clients like me, is the appropriate action. I am putting
pressure on Costa Baja marina to be a better service provider and more polite to customers and visitors effective immediately because it would benefit
me and my buddys.
I don't hand out cash often. But I have had cash grabbed from my hands. When it has happened I don't put myself in danger but I will object
vociferously. And when I want to, I will do it here, probably to your objection and a chorus from your buddies. Hopefully instead you would offer to
help others like me if we need help or a supportive word.
I consider myself lucky to have moved here because its close to the water in a beautiful place with amazing people, most of who fish and eat what they
catch and that's all they have. We are a mix, of old, new, speculators and many many squatters. In the case of my neighbor who apparently stole my
borrowed tools on a drug binge, Chito was working to rebuild a van to be used to transport his father whose leg was lost in traffic accident with a
speeding ambulance this year and he needs safe transportation to the occasional doctor visit or maybe he wants to dar una vuelta en el malecon. The
family, in particular Chito's father Chencho, are my neighbors and my friends except that now Chito is not welcome (presently). The van is basically
done mechanically thanks to many people helping out, today we bought the primer and more tools to fix and paint it too, and we are doing a nice job,
why? because now Chito isn't there to help... he is hiding. If the family needs help I am going to help. That's how it is. But that doesn't mean that
Chito is off the hook. I am looking for him... I will speak to him in time and he will pay me back for what he stole eventually. That's how it works.
Asi es en el Manglito.
Today I helped move two boats to marinas other than Costa Baja in La Paz. The owners made the simple choice to try a move elsewhere because they can,
they want a better overall experience. Costa Baja had a strange feeling. I don't mean stuck up, I mean some workers have a bad attitude-which I
reported here. I spend the money I have here in ways that encourage good business practices and give the most value for the money and I make it clear
when I don't like the service. I hope you do the same and share here, it might help build a bunch of nice businesses growing to fill the needs of
growing citys--effective businesses are the highest priority we have in Baja.
p.s. On that note, I'll add a positive plug to say, I have had an excellent experience every time at las brisas mariscos restaurant on the malecon.gnukid - 5-11-2007 at 10:11 AM
FDT,
Thanks for asking about the photos. I want to capture people in the moment. Here is Miguel "El Ganador" the brother of Chito in the moment after the
fight.
