BajaNomad - No we are not wealthy

No we are not wealthy

DianaT - 7-18-2007 at 02:41 PM

Another personal reflection of life in Bahia Asuncion

No, we don’t have many casas; we are not rich Americans, just retired teachers. Those words fell empty onto the ground. It is a perception, a comparison, and by his standards we are wealthy.

The idea that not so many years ago, one of us was leaving a marriage in bankruptcy and the other only avoiding bankruptcy with the help of a small inheritance was meaningless. By his standards, we are wealthy.

They arrive on time every morning, 8 a.m. sharp and they work hard. Well a couple of them seem to work more than the others. The beer is not openly consumed, but the cans left behind are many. By late in the day, much has been consumed. We know, however, our guest room and bodega, will be just fine, and we will recycle the beer cans with the guys working on the garbage truck.

The questions came from the worker who appears to have more experience---yes, he has worked in Punta Chivato before building for gringos. They were rich and have many homes, just like he is sure we do.

No amount of protestation will ever convince this worker otherwise. He knows we are the new wealthy norte Americanos in town. We struggle with what to think and feel. We cannot apologize for the hard work that has brought us to a place in life where our children will not have to support us, even in a home. And we cannot apologize for the war of 1848, even though Abraham Lincoln opposed it. But there are our lingering doubts and questions, both sprinkled with undefined guilt.

Compared to other parts of Baja, our gringo home is very modest, but not so modest here in Bahia Asuncion. As people, we are no better than any of the workers---we just have different skills. We feel slightly adrift upon the sea of the unknown. Adjusting and the fine-tuning of the search for identity continues. We hope they understand it is not so emotionally easy for us. Then again, we know our next meal will be on our table.

Diane and John

Russ - 7-18-2007 at 02:54 PM

Shades of God and Mr. Gomez
and not everyone in Chivato has a lot of money..... either
Good luck. Sodas NO beer until after work.

rts551 - 7-18-2007 at 03:59 PM

Wealth can be viewed in many ways.... The locals will figure out before long where your wealth lies and act accordingly

bajajudy - 7-18-2007 at 04:11 PM

Dont worry about this. There is nothing you can do to change the perceptions. We have lived in a barrio for over 8 years and I am sure that we still look like rich americans to my neighbors. BUT we are all friends and we share any bounty that we have....fish, from a successful fishing trip, mangos that we cannot possibly eat , warm tortillas just made by my lovely neighbor, Maria, etc.
Your actions will prove who you are.....but you will still be a rich american.

They know that we are all rich

Baja Bernie - 7-18-2007 at 04:22 PM

because we come from where many of them wish to find their riches............and that only because no one knows their own countries short coming as they do because they have labored in spite of it for so long.

Wrote this a while back.

A Path of Perceptions
By Bernie Swaim

Two men meet on the path of life, one heading south, the other going north to Otra Lado.

Approaching they nod politely, and smiling, greet each other. “Buenos dias. Como esta es usted?” “Muy bueno y usted?” Their shared language exhausted one looks at the ground while the other watches a cloud float by. Looking up the man with the battered white hat asks the guy wearing the baseball cap about his health. The blonde guy responds by asking after the darker man’s family. All of this is said without a spoken word. Simply a smile, a gesture, a nod, and a wave. A shrug of the shoulders. A laugh and a handshake. Nothing more is needed.

This is Baja!

Parting, one trudges north as the other ambles south. Both man seeking a new and different life. One’s hope is for a decent job and a way to provide for his family’s future. For the other it is a dream of peace and contentment in a land where time has little meaning and the sun almost always shines.

Acknowledging and celebrating each other’s sameness and differences—these men have found the meaning of Baja.

Dreaming, Sharing, and Caring.

bacquito - 7-18-2007 at 04:32 PM

My wife, a fine Mexican women from "Chilanga Land" (Mexico City), got mad at me the other day. She was looking at some lots and a sales agent ask who I was and I responded that I am her husband. She feels that the min- ute it is known that she is married to a Gringo the price goes up to her.
She prefers that it is thought by sales people that she is may maid.

tripledigitken - 7-18-2007 at 04:35 PM

Bernie,

That is a beautiful piece! In that story they both are rich.

Thanks for sharing that.

Ken

TMW - 7-18-2007 at 04:55 PM

Wealth is often a matter of perception. When the Mexicans see Americans coming down with their new cars and pickups and motorhomes, off road vehicles, staying in the hotels and eating in the better resturants etc. what else would one think they would think. If an American doesn't have cash they have a credit card. Normanly poor Americans don't travel to other countries. In the U.S. you may be a middle class or even lower middle class but you have more in terms of physical goods than an average Mexican family.

Years ago in Colonet near at the sand dunes Chinese Tony had a bucket of lobster and we were hagling over the price when he said to me. "You have a job and get paid every week, I get paid only when I sell these lobster, if I don't have any lobster I go without money". He was right and we agreed to a price a little more to his favor.

I think we should treat eveyone with dignity and fairness and respect. A Mexicans perception of Americans will be based on this. We may have more that they in financial terms but friendship, and family values are the great rewards in our relationship.

flyfishinPam - 7-18-2007 at 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bacquito
My wife, a fine Mexican women from "Chilanga Land" (Mexico City), got mad at me the other day. She was looking at some lots and a sales agent ask who I was and I responded that I am her husband. She feels that the min- ute it is known that she is married to a Gringo the price goes up to her.
She prefers that it is thought by sales people that she is may maid.

She is right about that. There are certain high ticket items such as old cars, land, used large goods, second hand ice chests...that only Francisco can "buy" or find out the price on then I come up from behind and pay. Its almost like a game for us and we love the looks on their faces when he says he'll buy and I whip out the wad. :lol:

Al G - 7-18-2007 at 05:14 PM

Quote:

I am very conflicted here...on one hand I want to rent your wife, because I know there are two standards...but then I more then agree with TW. :?:

Just maybe it break into difference in what the product is....damn I hate this feeling.

bacquito - 7-18-2007 at 05:15 PM

"We cannot apologize for the hard work that has brought us to a place in life where our children will not have to support us, even in a home. And we cannot apologize for the war of 1848, even though Abraham Lincoln opposed it. But there are our lingering doubts and question sprinkled with undefined guilt"

I have met people who critize the U.S. for the 1848 war and the robbing of the area that is now known as the America Southwest. Some also feel that the poverty in Mexico is due to us taking Mexico's land.

If a country is going to declare a piece of land "theirs" they had better provide services and protection to their declared land and its people. Very little attention was given by Mexico to this vast area. You can't just place a banner in an area and declare it yours.

I have also read during this time period that Russia and England were interested in taking at least California.

In regards to the poverty in Mexico, Mexico has benefited from us developing the Southwest. I believe alot of Mexico's problems of poverty and corrupt government stem from the hundreds of years of occupation by Spain,. They entered Mexico not to develope it but to rob it and send its riches to Spain.

But on a positive note I have seen alot of changes in Mexico in the 30 years I have traveled this great area.

Thank heavens our forefathers came to America to develope a more just country rather than to rob it

Al G - 7-18-2007 at 05:27 PM

"I have met people who critize the U.S. for the 1848 war and the robbing of the area that is now known as the America Southwest. Some also feel that the poverty in Mexico is due to us taking Mexico's land. "
This is crap...If Mexico had acquired all of the America's(and held it) it would still be Mexico and the people would still be poor...and they would all speaking German :lol:

Skipjack Joe - 7-18-2007 at 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bacquito
You can't just place a banner in an area and declare it yours.

Sure you could

Quote:

Originally posted by bacquito
They entered Mexico not to develope it but to rob it and send its riches to Spain.

How was England different? Why the revolution? "Taxation without representation" - doesn't that sound like robbing.

Quote:

Originally posted by bacquito
Thank heavens our forefathers came to America to develope a more just country rather than to rob it

Tell that to the Native Americans. BTW, I just saw one of the episodes of "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee". It was quite good. Didn't know that Sitting Bull met his end over there.

capt. mike - 7-19-2007 at 06:36 AM

try arriving by small private plane. i'm not rico by most current standards, a working stiff when i can get it - life of a contractor....... often guys wheel in with diesel pushers and nice boats or land dingies attached, to the trailer park next to my palapa. The $$ they have into their setups can be easily 3-5 times and more what i have tied up in a small aging single eng. 4 seater - but the mind set about airplanes in the local's minds is planes = mucho dinero, and it transfers in how they all want to deal with you.

i don't give a crap tho. i have many mexican friends and help them when i can. when i can't get for them or give them something they want, i don't and ask if something else might work. no biggie, sometimes they give you a funny look that says, but amigo - you have that plane out there..... :rolleyes:

David K - 7-19-2007 at 07:51 AM

Very nice post Diane & John!

Will you guys be in Asuncion next week?

Bajajorge - 7-19-2007 at 08:27 AM

I love watching the Mexican laborers work. OSHA would have a heart attack watching those guys.

I often wonder

Baja Bernie - 7-19-2007 at 08:47 AM

why this happens to such lovely threads. :?:

Minnow - 7-19-2007 at 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
As people, we are no better than any of the workers---we just have different skills.

Like, Nunchuk skills, bow hunting skills, and computer hacking skills. :lol:

Barry A. - 7-19-2007 at 10:08 AM

I will long remember when eating in a restaurant in El Rosario when I mumbled in complaint about the price of one item I had consumed--------the very nice waiter got a huge grin at my comment and said, "hey amigo, es cheap for you", at which time all my friends broke into a huge laughing agreement binge----me being the butt of the joke!!!

Taught me (again) a huge lesson-------everything is relative!! :lol:

DianaT - 7-19-2007 at 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Very nice post Diane & John!

Will you guys be in Asuncion next week?

Most likely unless we leave for a day for Vizcaino. Want to be here for the fiesta in the middle of August.

If you do go the the other side, the cool weather here will feel good!

John and Diane

DENNIS - 7-19-2007 at 12:33 PM

OK....... From all of the above, we've learned that it's admirable and noble to live on modest means and, more so if we have an empathetic understanding of those around us and their philosophical methods of coping with the seemingly inequitable differences which we have brought with us.

Now..... Tell me what's wrong with being filthy rich? I'm not but, I can see where it could be fun. How would we, being of assumed modest wealth, view our new neighbor if he were a sheik from Dubai, dripping with baubles and bangles and fishing from his solid gold panga or flying to the meat market in his helicopter?
All that wealth wouldn't make him a bad guy but, we would probably never realise that. There would be a wall of misunderstanding between us.

capt. mike - 7-19-2007 at 01:40 PM

As Mel Brooks said, "its good to be the king!"
and i say too its good to be rich!
i hope to be so one day, i have a lot of rich friends - they are having fun with wealth - this IS capitalism after all fercrissakes!!!!

Wealth > Riches

CaboRon - 7-19-2007 at 02:06 PM

Go Confidently In The Direction of Your Dreams !
Live The Life You've Imagined.
As You Simplify Your Life, The Laws Of The
Universe Will Be Simpler, Solitude Will Not Be
Solitude, Poverty Will Not Be Poverty, Nor
Weakness Weakness.

- Henry David Thoreau -

TMW - 7-19-2007 at 02:33 PM

I have nothing against being rich, good for em. On a speaking level I've only known one really rich person ( George Gillett, broadcaster, sky slope owner, etc. ) and he was very interesting to talk to. Never saw him in a coat and tie. The rich do what they want to do and I do what I what to do, they just probably do it in a little more style with a bigger boat, plane or RV.

Money can't buy respect or can it?

Sharksbaja - 7-19-2007 at 02:45 PM

Interesting post Diane. Cool looking tile and paint!

We feel blessed with what we have. We understand humbleness and no money in the bank.
The old addage " you won't appreciate it if you don't earn it" is so true. AS boomers inherit and cash in on explosive land values up north, the hard work factor may be skewed in terms of the true vision of your wealth. Maybe you did work hard, or not, and maybe your rewards are justified, or not, but the ratio of fixed income folks in the U.S. and sporatic and low income for so many in Mexico is extreme. I know some people with many toys. If they break it's no biggie for them. They just buy a new one. Not me, I'll fix the frickin' thang myself. Now, would I buy a new one if I had the big bucks. I doubt it. My life is pretty programmed. When I am unable someday to do these things I'll stop owning them.
Point is, would any of this matter to your workers? Would they see you as frugal or ??. Would you gain respect?
What and how you present yourself is similar to curb appeal for a house. Mexicans see that expensive exterior, be it a boat or plane or nice truck. They know not what's on the inside. They need to see and know you. Problem is, they have automatically cataloged you in their mind. You know, surface appearance. Then perhaps some get to know you and realize, hey this dude can get dirty with us. Because I can, I will. Now if I just sat there and watched them work and sweat while sipping on a c-cktail, they might think differently about me and my motivations.
Each to their own. Quite frankly, being a crew chief in Baja has little appeal for me. I prefer to let the workers go about their work with little or no dictating about their methods etc. If I can help solve something because I have a particular tool I'll normally give them that tool to keep. I simply keep busy myself if I'm there while work is going on. Seems to work while I'm there anyway. :lol:

btw I think all are non-drinkers. At least I never seeleftovers. :yes:

[Edited on 7-21-2007 by Sharksbaja]

Iflyfish - 7-19-2007 at 03:00 PM

Suffering

The Buddha said that there is suffering in the world. He also said that it may take us many life times to understand that, to really get it. There are many forms of suffering and poverty, not all of it economic. His advice is compassion. Good advice I think. Compassion is not condescension, but awareness and caring. These virtues are available to us no matter what our material circumstances.

The first impression I had of Mexico was a huge wall of poverty. It felt like a tidal wave pouring over me as I reeled from the sights and smells. I saw limbless people dragging themselves around on primitive skate boards. I saw Schizophrenics battling their unseen demons as they careened down the streets, splayed fingers holding the ubiquitous Faro cigarette. I saw the upturned hands of snotty nosed street urchins with pleading eyes. I was shocked, stunned and depressed. I recall leaning against a wall in the stucco courtyard of a bus depot and taking some ancient Mexican medicine. My tears flowed as I slid down the wall and as I hit the ground I could feel my guilt and shame wash away as I experienced the view from that position. I was on Mexican ground. What I noticed was a place teaming with humanity, everyone hustling and bustling to get somewhere. People embracing, tears shed at partings and cursive glances of relief as some entered the busses and the doors closed on that chapter of their time together. I saw mothers and their new born babies, grandparents in their best attire buying peanuts for the trip. I saw squirmy kids wanting to run and young couples lusting after each other. I saw it all, recognized it all, it was life, just life unfolding in front of me. Different colors, tastes and sounds, but life none the less, just life. Good life, bad life, sad life, happy life, all there to see.

Then I started to notice how happy most people were as they went about doing what people do. Now that was a surprise. My guilt and shame colored lenses were clouding my vision. Who was poor I asked myself? And how were we poor? Were my stiff upper lipped, mid western relatives, so focused on propriety, rich? Was what they called tasteless really the richest, most tasteful of things? Was I rich because I could afford bus fare? My viewpoint began to change. It is what it is.

I was born with blond hair, pink skin and blue eyes in a home that was able to provide me with ample food, shelter, love and regard as well as economic support to allow me to go to school and then college. I was able to go to graduate school and become a professional. I was able to earn a relatively good living in my field that now allows me to comfortably in retirement. I have become disabled and can no longer work, though I have more creature comforts than most people who have ever lived on this earth. I am very glad for the great good fortune to be raised in the circumstances that I find myself. “There but for fortune go you or I, you or I”. I am to some admired, to others scorned, to others appreciated and enjoyed, to others loathed, to others envied, to some the embodiment of all that is evil in the world. It is all perception, perspective, that makes the difference. The choice is our as to how we deal with were we are and who we are. We cannot take responsibility for how others view us, only how we comport ourselves in relation to other people. Other people are always assessing us, typecasting us, labeling us, trying to make us fit into their pre conceived boxes of who we are. I think ee cummings said it well “to be ourselves in a world that is constantly trying to make us everyone else is to fight and never stop fighting”. I like that.

I appreciate your sharing with us your feelings as well as thoughts as you go through what at times are challenging adjustments to living in another culture. I admire your courage and heart.

Iflyfish

Hook - 7-19-2007 at 05:12 PM

Diane, you have neglected to include shots of the electric gate at the entrance to this wealthy enclave.

I am sure this is just an oversight.............

DENNIS - 7-19-2007 at 05:16 PM

Excellent, IFF, absolutly excellent. Well written, as well.

Fly fish

Baja Bernie - 7-19-2007 at 06:57 PM

Hats off to you and your little tour of truth! Thanks

capn.sharky - 7-19-2007 at 08:21 PM

Are all Mexicans poor? By our standards most are poor when it comes to money and homes and things. But are they really poor in all areas? Their lifestyle seems to me to be somewhat better than ours. Don't you ever get tired of chasing the Jones' or trying to break the glass ceiling. Ever think how much less stress is on the Mexicans compared to here. I'll take the stress of driving on Baja One over the I-15, 10, 210 or the I-5 anytime. Its alot prettier too. Why is it we all want to go down there while they want to come up here? Ask most Mexicans here if they had better opportunities where would they rather live....you may be surprised by their answer. But trying to convince them they have a rich lifestyle is like trying to tell them we are not rich but average.

Marie-Rose - 7-19-2007 at 09:31 PM

Diane and John
Thanks for the thoughts... provoking another great thread!

Iflyfish
Wow :wow:

I have read your words twice and will, I am sure re-read them twice more.
I would love to be able to flyfish with you in bcs one of these days...

Iflyfish - 7-19-2007 at 11:22 PM

Marie-Rose

Thank you and others for your kind comments. Sounds like I am not alone in these awarenesses and perceptions. It is a gift to be able to share in the way that we do as Nomads.

We are headed up to BC to do some flyfishing for Kamloops in Sept. Williams Lake area.

Ilfyfish

Cypress - 7-20-2007 at 05:28 AM

Money won't buy happiness, only allows you look for it in nicer places. :biggrin:

Don't want to be rich, just to have one more dollar than I can spend. :biggrin:

David K - 7-20-2007 at 08:35 AM

It is good to be rich! Rich people make the world a better place! The more rich people, the better the world is!

I am self employed and have never been hired by poor people. Rich people help me to survive, support my family, have a nice place to live and truck to drive.

ALSO:

It is hard to donate money to worthy causes or help others when you are poor.

Poor people don't employ others or hire contractors or buy lots of things.

Poor people don't pay taxes.

Because of OPPORTUNITY, being poor need only be a temporary thing!

Get motivated... Want more for yourself or your family... Want to help others... GET RICH (or die trying :lol:

Iflyfish - 7-20-2007 at 09:16 AM

David K says "GET RICH (or die trying )!"

In the sixties it was "Get Rich or go tie-dieing". I tie died!

Iflyfish

HotSchott - 7-20-2007 at 09:28 AM

David K the Bleeding Heart Liberal!

:lol:

Money can't buy Happiness ?

MrBillM - 7-20-2007 at 09:43 AM

Or Love. But it can sure buy a reasonable facsimile.

Random Thoughts on the Human Condition:

While money can't buy everything, Lack of it buys nothing.

Personally, I'd like to walk in their shoes and find out.

I'm unaware of ever having a neighbor named Jones so I didn't worry about keeping up with them.

My Fair (or Equal) share of any resource has always been what I decided it was.

Should we worry about our overuse of anything taking away from people we might not even like ?

Whenever the subject of Organ donation came up, I always said that I declined that (future) option because the organs might be used to save someone I'd rather see gone.

But, that's just me. Time for a swim.

[Edited on 7-20-2007 by MrBillM]

Cypress - 7-20-2007 at 09:54 AM

Money won't buy happiness, but it'll allow you to rent it for a while. :spingrin:

edinnopolo - 7-20-2007 at 10:07 AM

Also the root of all evil. :?:

Amazing

DianaT - 7-20-2007 at 11:02 AM

Just amazing to me how some random thoughts and feelings in one moment of time can spread out into so many directions.

Interesting, very interesting. :yes:

Diane

Cypress - 7-20-2007 at 11:08 AM

Lack of money is the root of a lot of the evil in this world, not all, but a good bit of it :spingrin:

edinnopolo - 7-20-2007 at 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lencho

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
Should we worry about our overuse of anything taking away from people we might not even like?

Hard to argue with that one. On a gut level I think that attitude stinks, but I have nothing logically convincing to refute it with.

--Larry

Maybe only designated recipients :?:

Money, Money, Money, More Money.

MrBillM - 7-20-2007 at 06:58 PM

Not to Nitpick, but wasn't the original quote that the "Love" of money was the root of all evil ?

Even in that respect it is, of course, flawed. There is, and has been, a great deal of evil acts unrelated to money.

honda tom - 7-20-2007 at 09:37 PM

retired teachers....... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

[Edited on 7-21-2007 by Hose A]

Iflyfish - 7-20-2007 at 10:40 PM

honda tom
wrote

"the reality that the most of us have to deal with."

What reality is that? Contempt?

"Teachers.......xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"?

It sounds like the writing of someone who has not appreciated his/her own education and is now angry at those who provided it.

Iflyfish

[Edited on 7-21-2007 by Hose A]

Another Perception on Money

TMW - 7-21-2007 at 08:05 AM

In the mid 90s I took a job that paid every week. Not as much as I had been making by about 25%. But it seemed I always had money. Not a care in the world. Four years later I took this job and it paid about 50% more, but was paid only once a month on the 15th. That was the hardest thing in the world for me. It seemed like I was rich for a few days then broke the rest of the month. I was so glad they switched to twice a month pay.

Cypress - 7-21-2007 at 08:13 AM

Jeez honda tom!

The jdtrotters are nice enough to share their Baja experience and you insult them? :?:

Capt. George - 7-21-2007 at 10:23 AM

the gringo tax simply sucks you all know it

nine dollar marguarita...asked a local gringo if he thought that absurd no, they´re really nice people??? so am I, talk about making absurd excuses to allow the Mexicans to screw us...Are there different prices in the states for mexicans vs americans.....I think not...

I don´t care about what land Mexico once held, I don´t care about people that were once slaves, Wealthy Mexicans screw their own people much more then we visting gringos. I for one am not below asking a vendor "does this include your gringo tax"....brought back mexicanos to buy the same item.......40% less...

I rest my case

The Gringo Tax

MrBillM - 7-21-2007 at 10:49 AM

An OLD and Venerated Custom.

I remember being at a restaurant in Tijuana around 1956 with my Father and a friend who lived in Ensenada part-time. They brought us menus in English. The friend asked for one in Spanish and he showed us that the same dishes on the two menus were priced differently. We were to find that trait very common wherever we went.

Insult

DianaT - 7-21-2007 at 11:01 AM

I guess having limited internet access has its advantages---by the time I read we had been insulted as retired teachers, the posts had been edited. Thank you HoseA :yes:

But just to be clear, teaching is only one of the many things we have done in the past, for whatever that is worth.

I am surprised, however, that a simple snapshot in time would bring forth personal attacks. I share my thoughts and experiences, as do others, as just a part of being here in Baja---a way to reflect upon our experience.

I always enjoy reading the experiences and thoughts from others and hope that personal attacks will not happen---disagreement is one thing, insults are another.

And, yes while better off not knowing, I am curious about the attack.

Diane

Iflyfish - 7-21-2007 at 07:47 PM

I have seen inflation take off in every place I have ever visited that attracted tourists. Prices rise and the locals then are hard put to be able to live in the place that they have lived for years. It is not a new story nor a particularly Mexican one, rather a typical human story.

Then the old place is torn down in the name of progress and a homogonized version of the image of the place that was is built on top of the ruble of the original place. Did I miss something?

Iflyfish

honda tom - 7-23-2007 at 03:26 PM

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
---------------------------------
Take you opinions of retired U. S. teachers else where.
This is a Baja California forum.

[Edited on 7-23-2007 by Hose A]

DENNIS - 7-23-2007 at 04:04 PM

Honda Tom.........

Your view on U.S. teachers should go Off Topic before it is sent there.

It's Baja...........Remember? That's the subject matter here.

DianaT - 7-23-2007 at 04:04 PM

To be ignorant is better than being stupid because ignorance can sometimes be fixed through education. Teaching was only a small part of our working lives.

Sorry you really did not understand what was written, and for such a snapshot in time to raise such emotions is unfortunate and sad, and perhaps more a reflection of unhappy choices in your life. Of course in the worker's eyes we are wealthy---

oh well, we wish you the best of luck in your future.

Diane and John

[Edited on 7-23-2007 by jdtrotter]

[Edited on 7-23-2007 by Hose A]

bajamigo - 7-23-2007 at 04:10 PM

Quote:

I may have taken it a bit far, but meant no personal attack. My view on US teachers should be left for another forum.

Thankfully, it won't be this one.

honda tom - 7-23-2007 at 08:07 PM

never been blocked before.. im not sure if anyone typing about me is actually reading this. my point... gringos trying to get any point across to a mexican as it pertains to them not being wealthy, is a joke! You, me, all of us gringos are wealthy! dont insult the mexican workers.

DENNIS - 7-24-2007 at 07:29 AM

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Wow. What's that all about? It's OK for you to say it but, not MrBill?
It's sometimes amazing how far an original sentiment can stray away from a thread.

[Edited on 7-24-2007 by Hose A]

Baja Bernie - 7-24-2007 at 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja Bernie I often wonder
why this happens to such lovely threads. :?:

Seems as though a few later posters were hell bent on confirming my humble observation.

I will say that I have been very poor, finacially, and then not rich but very comfortable. I really can't see much difference except that I eat better.......same kind of friends both rich and poor...........they are those who care about others and are not afraid to show it. Now, to me, that is really being rich.

Another observation......No! we are not all rich and........a lot of Mexicans realize exactly how poor some gringos truly are.........they are just to polite to mention it.

John and Diane...........this is sadly, one of the drawbacks of sharing true feelings and thoughts with those who have never acquired the intestional fortitude to expose themselves to others in a positive way.

We should all be glad that it comes up so seldom here on the Nomad board...........thanks in no small part to Jose and Doug.

Just stumbled across this one

Baja Bernie - 7-24-2007 at 02:27 PM

after re-reading this thread................

"To have done anything just for money is to have been truly idle." Henry Thoreau

Seemed to fit!

Sharksbaja - 7-24-2007 at 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja Bernie

We should all be glad that it comes up so seldom here on the Nomad board...........thanks in no small part to Jose and Doug.

I suppose......
But I still like: _ _ _ _ _ better than xxxxxx :lol:

Who's Jose?

bajamigo - 7-24-2007 at 03:27 PM

Hose A, a man who needs no introduction.

:yes:

[Edited on 7-24-2007 by bajamigo]

Iflyfish - 7-25-2007 at 10:45 AM

An Ode to Hose A

Hose A he can see!
By the puter’s dim light.
What was so scurrilously posted,
As a Nomadic slight.

Or the ramparts he sailed,
With his xxes held tight,
Blotting out hate,
With all of his mite!

Hose A does that X wielding
Spam banner yet wave,
Or the land of the ones and Oo’s
And the home of the Nave!

Iflyfish

Cute!

Baja Bernie - 7-25-2007 at 12:34 PM

tripledigitken - 7-25-2007 at 12:56 PM

Lencho,

You are a very clever fellow. :coolup:

Ken

fdt - 7-25-2007 at 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lencho

Me Puchi pariente, yo pense que nomah pedo podia ver cambiar lah letrah

Iflyfish - 7-25-2007 at 04:38 PM

So many x's going down here, it looks like a porno site on acid!

I always confuse the X's and the O's, there sure is a lot of Xing going on!

Is this what people do in those private chat rooms?

Are X's ok but O's not?

How about OOOOOOO baby OOOOOO baby OOOO baby etc.

Iflyfishxmynewmuslimnomdeplume

CaboRon - 7-26-2007 at 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iflyfish
So many x's going down here, it looks like a porno site on acid!

I always confuse the X's and the O's, there sure is a lot of Xing going on!

Is this what people do in those private chat rooms?

Are X's ok but O's not?

How about OOOOOOO baby OOOOOO baby OOOO baby etc.

Iflyfishxmynewmuslimnomdeplume

The XX are kisses , right ? What means " _____ " ?
:?:

CaboRon

Iflyfish - 7-26-2007 at 09:36 AM

sore lips

Iflyfishx

baja829 - 7-26-2007 at 11:02 AM

I too have my "Francisco" - bi-national born in Northern AZ on the Sante Fe RR lines where his parents worked and yes, I want him to go in and check prices first -- but then we volunteered to teach English in Primaria - I taught 1st through 3rd, he 4th through 6th -- and now, we are really rich -- in every sense of the word. Only one full year 10-1/2 months -- and a day doesn't pass, when we're in town, that "our" children and their parents run up to their "Profes". That was 3 yrs. ago, and although there are many from the U.S. and Canada, doing all sorts of good things, they too become rich in the same way. Yes, it's all relative.

Diane and John - your experience is special to all of us who will live out our remaining years here, for many of the same reasons. New Lessons every day.