BajaNomad

What do your friends, neighbors, and relatives think about you traveling to Baja?

Ken Cooke - 7-15-2010 at 05:39 PM



Personally, I cannot think of a better place to really get away from it all. Where I can camp on the beach w/o lots of restrictions and crowds.

How about you?

fishabductor - 7-15-2010 at 06:31 PM

Being that I live here fulltime...some people are jealous..others think I'm nuts, but after living here the better part of 7 years they have came to accept it. Especially as this is where my wife is from.

Iflyfish - 7-15-2010 at 08:06 PM

Everyone thinks I am nuts!! "haven't you read about all the crime", "it isn't safe there" etc. etc. to a person, this is what I hear.

Iflyfish

SDRonni - 7-15-2010 at 09:02 PM

Seriously, most people think we're nuts....but those friends/family that we have convinced to come down are surprised at how safe they feel and how much fun they have....

lizard lips - 7-15-2010 at 09:26 PM

All of them think I'm nutz..... But I think it's more for my travel to everywhere in Mexico and still have not had a problem! I was in Juarez and Guanajuato last week, Haiti next week then when I get home I leave for three days in Mexico City. I am always concerned for my safety but I'm still here and no holes in mi cuerpo :lol:

I think a lot of reporters in the US just have a lot of time on their hands and jump on the bandwagon to make Mexico look like the worst place to visit. I bet most of them have never been down here. After 24 years living here I wouldn't change my address if someone paid me.

tjBill - 7-15-2010 at 09:34 PM

They think I'm an extreme adventurer.

DianaT - 7-15-2010 at 09:34 PM

Ninety-four year old mother-in-law loves Baja and all of Mexico---wishes she could make another trip down. We are still thinking about ways to maybe get her there for a visit.

Oldest son loves Baja and just wants to spend more time there---

Youngest son has not been in Baja that much, but is looking forward to having more time to visit us there and bring the grandsons.

Sister lives near San Quintin---is her full time residence now with the US only for short visits.

Neighbors with whom we were the closest had traveled a few times to Baja years ago and always wanted to go back and stay. After we moved part time to Bahia Asuncion, they were motivated and now live full time in Bahia de Los Angeles.

OK, there are the ones who panic and listen too much to the news, but we just do not try to explain it to them.

BajaNuts - 7-15-2010 at 10:36 PM

first reaction to that question is....WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!


They ain't paying my bills and they ain't buying my plane ticket when it's time for a vacation.

knuckles - 7-15-2010 at 10:55 PM

I work in a small office and they literally call me stupid, crazy, and fear that I will not show up for work on Mondays as I will be kidnapped or killed.

Frankly, I feel it is a hostile work enviroment .
Any lawyers out there game?

cutexianchick - 7-16-2010 at 07:09 AM

Yea... my family, friends and co-workers are alwasy so afraid for me and remind me to be so careful. They constantly remind me of everything that is going on down here... Yea they think I am crazy.

bajabass - 7-16-2010 at 07:59 AM

Yup, I'm pure loco!:biggrin:Leaving a profitable business in the middle of the rat race, moving to La Paz.:wow: Oh, the sheer terror of life in the bad lands of Baja. :bounce: Most friends and family think I've been a little off, spending every possible day in Mexico. Now that I'm going for good, they really do question my sanity! I tell them if I stay here, I'll lose it for sure!!!

capt. mike - 7-16-2010 at 08:17 AM

1. that i am nutz.
2. that they are insanely jealous.
3. that i am a double naught spy.
4. that i have a secret girlfriend and family there.
5. that i am a smuggler.

grace59 - 7-16-2010 at 08:41 AM

Most people who have not been there think that we are insane to go there...especially now that we are building a house. We've gotten a few friends/relatives to come down with us and they have loved it....the quiet, the beauty and the prices. Still overall people think we are nuts and worry about us each time we go there. They fear that we will be kidnapped, shot, arrested by corrupt police etc. I tell them that I know that bad things can happen there, but they can also (and have also) happen here. I tell them that no matter where we are we should not fear, but be aware. I have a sister-in-law that will NEVER visit us there even though we have offered to go and get here and drive her down...She feels so much safer living in LA because bad things never happen there!

DENNIS - 7-16-2010 at 09:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
5. that i am a smuggler.



Was this, Lord Of The Skies, Capt.Mike in another life?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amado_Carrillo_Fuentes

knuckles - 7-16-2010 at 09:34 AM

Just got to work an hour ago.

....."are you going to mexico this weekend?"
....."hummm, not sure" (of course we are going)
....."we heard they had kidnappings down there this week, and robberies"
....."where did you hear that? What were the details?"
....."Oh I am sure it was on the news or something, We just think you are crazy to go there"

Yeah, you have only been telling me this for the past 5 years.

I am sick of it. If it wasnt such a good job that helps fund my baja habit I would be out of here.

Gee guys... thanks for letting me rant. Just a few more hours till we clear the casita and my blood pressure will drop.

DENNIS - 7-16-2010 at 09:42 AM

Now....here's a place we might consider avoiding as well. Except, of course, during Mardi Gras when all of these stats don't matter:


New Orleans Is Murder Capital Of The United States
By KJ Mullins.

New Orleans may have reduced the number of violent crimes by 17 percent last year but they still hold the title of the most murderous United States city.
When figuring the stats for murders per capita New Orleans came to the top regardless of what model was used.
The FBI report used 281,440 as the population figure in their calculations of New Orleans for July 1, 2008. The figure has been raised by the Census Bureau to 311,853.
The Greater New Orleans Community Data Center says that the city's population for the first half of 2008 was at 324,357.
Depending on which figure is being used New Orleans has 57 or 64 murders per 100,000 people.
This year there have already been 80 murders in New Orleans.
The second highest rate of murders was St. Louis with about 47 murders per 100,000 people.

grace59 - 7-16-2010 at 10:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Now....here's a place we might consider avoiding as well. Except, of course, during Mardi Gras when all of these stats don't matter:


New Orleans Is Murder Capital Of The United States
By KJ Mullins.

New Orleans may have reduced the number of violent crimes by 17 percent last year but they still hold the title of the most murderous United States city.
When figuring the stats for murders per capita New Orleans came to the top regardless of what model was used.
The FBI report used 281,440 as the population figure in their calculations of New Orleans for July 1, 2008. The figure has been raised by the Census Bureau to 311,853.
The Greater New Orleans Community Data Center says that the city's population for the first half of 2008 was at 324,357.
Depending on which figure is being used New Orleans has 57 or 64 murders per 100,000 people.
This year there have already been 80 murders in New Orleans.
The second highest rate of murders was St. Louis with about 47 murders per 100,000 people.

According to a CNN World report in April 2010 on the "10 Most Dangerous Cities in the World"...there was one country that had 2 cities listed...not Mexico...the USA...Detroit and New Orleans are two of the most dangerous cities in the world.....should we alert the media to warn people not to visit the US? When people have warned me about going to Baja I tell them that staying out of Mexico because of what is happening in some areas is like telling people not to come to the US because we have two of the most dangerous cities in the world. That makes my point.

rhintransit - 7-16-2010 at 10:16 AM

interesting that when I checked in this thread was followed immediately by one on a home invasion in Buena Vista...
Mexico is safe, except when it isn't. same goes for the USA. wrong place, wrong time...anywhere. those who swear something is safe have just been on one side of the statistical curve. the peak of the curve varies. back when I was delivering babies, I knew that mother nature was not benign and those who had never had a problem had just not attended enough births.
as to the original question of the thread, I second the 'who cares what they think' comment.

DianaT - 7-16-2010 at 10:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rhintransit
interesting that when I checked in this thread was followed immediately by one on a home invasion in Buena Vista...
Mexico is safe, except when it isn't. same goes for the USA. wrong place, wrong time...anywhere. those who swear something is safe have just been on one side of the statistical curve. the peak of the curve varies. back when I was delivering babies, I knew that mother nature was not benign and those who had never had a problem had just not attended enough births.
as to the original question of the thread, I second the 'who cares what they think' comment.


The who cares comment was the best! Also like your comment --Mexico is safe, except when it isn't-----:yes::yes:

BajaGringo - 7-16-2010 at 10:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by grace59
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Now....here's a place we might consider avoiding as well. Except, of course, during Mardi Gras when all of these stats don't matter:


New Orleans Is Murder Capital Of The United States
By KJ Mullins.

New Orleans may have reduced the number of violent crimes by 17 percent last year but they still hold the title of the most murderous United States city.
When figuring the stats for murders per capita New Orleans came to the top regardless of what model was used.
The FBI report used 281,440 as the population figure in their calculations of New Orleans for July 1, 2008. The figure has been raised by the Census Bureau to 311,853.
The Greater New Orleans Community Data Center says that the city's population for the first half of 2008 was at 324,357.
Depending on which figure is being used New Orleans has 57 or 64 murders per 100,000 people.
This year there have already been 80 murders in New Orleans.
The second highest rate of murders was St. Louis with about 47 murders per 100,000 people.

According to a CNN World report in April 2010 on the "10 Most Dangerous Cities in the World"...there was one country that had 2 cities listed...not Mexico...the USA...Detroit and New Orleans are two of the most dangerous cities in the world.....should we alert the media to warn people not to visit the US? When people have warned me about going to Baja I tell them that staying out of Mexico because of what is happening in some areas is like telling people not to come to the US because we have two of the most dangerous cities in the world. That makes my point.


I hear you Grace but don't bother. Certain folks have their agenda and want you to believe that every report of crime down here has us frozen in fear or something. Those of us who know what life is really like just shrug it off. I personally just stopped trying to convince anybody that it is anything different.

Out of curiosity I googled the cities with the highest crime rate NOB and was surprised at a few on the list:

1. Pine Bluff, AR
2. Memphis, TN
3. Saginaw, MI
4. Miami, Fl
5. New Orleans, LA
6. Florence, SC
7. Las Vegas, NV
8. Albuquerque, NM
9. Fayettville, NC
10. Oakland, CA

You can see the rest of the list here: Source

New Orleans only made 5th on the list and nowhere in LA county - not even east LA or Watts - made the top 10. So what does that tell you? You can report crime events all day long but if it isn't kept in perspective it is just somebody pushing their agenda. I say let them rant, rave and pop an artery when their blood boils.

Me? I am going fishing today.

Make it a great day everybody!!!

DENNIS - 7-16-2010 at 11:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by grace59
..should we alert the media to warn people not to visit the US?


No. certainly not. It might make sense to give them a warning about New Orleans though, just at it would be wise to give a bad recommendation to Cd. Juarez and Cd. Constitución in Mexico.

Curt63 - 7-16-2010 at 11:54 AM

They think I'm crazy

They love my pictures and are very jealous

I usually share crime and gang activity details (considerable) in the city we live in.

I tell them stories about the gang bangers at the school I teach at.

I am way more concerned about my offroading trips to Superstition and Glamis. Glamis is an accident waiting to happen. I see MercyAir helicopters every trip.

Its a mix of alcohol, big egos, crowds, immature kids that dont know their limits, stupid fast sandcars with enough wheel travel so they dont need to slow down and sand dunes that block the view.

But, I am totally addicted to the rush of riding massive sand bowls and dunes.

One of my biggest fears in life is to get sick and be bedridden and die a slow painful boring death.

I sure love Baja

Bajahowodd - 7-16-2010 at 12:34 PM

I'm thinking that everyone here has a good idea as to the cause of the spike in Mexico- the drug wars. Frankly, the issue can probably issued from either side, but I'm of the mind that homicide rates, are especially site or region driven, and they are not an accurate indicator of the potential of falling victim to crime while in Baja.

irenemm - 7-16-2010 at 02:09 PM

I just tell my family let me know if you want to come down for a free vacation and I will tell the cartel and cops to stay away from you.
Still has not worked saved me lots of money so far.
If they can't see me when i am alive then don't bother when I dead or dying.
Stay home then. They did not like that. But for me it is the truth. If you can't visit now don't bother later.

BajaGringo - 7-16-2010 at 04:26 PM

Just got back in to find that somebody sent me an email showing the relative murder rates between Mexico, Canada and the USA - Mexico the highest and Canada the lowest. I guess the person making that graph was attempting to support their position that I have my head in the sand (again) for wanting to live down here.

Look, if you want to live your life searching the internet for anything that will back your agenda via news articles, statistics and graphs, you will certainly find it - whatever that be. What happened to the poor couple down in Baja Sur last night was tragic and I am truly sorry for their plight. I look at the top 10 crime ridden cities in the USA from my previous post and I am sure that when similar crimes happen to anyone there (some of them small towns) those victims feel just as angry and vulnerable. We should be angry about crime, wherever and to whoever it happens.

We aren't isolated from crime anywhere on this planet so all we can do is decide where our comfort zone is, choose where we want to live based on that personal comfort level and then strive to enjoy life to the fullest while keeping a green laser, baseball bat, bazooka, taser or whatever your weapon of choice behind the front door with rabid dogs and a moat to keep them at distance. That is true whether you choose to live in New Orleans or Tijuana, Pine Bluff or Buena Vista.

Those of you who don't feel safe down here shouldn't come, plain and simple. If graphs of country wide murder rates scare you away then I think you should be true to your convictions and permanently move to Canada where your graph clearly shows that you will be much safer.

Besides, I think their economy is doing better too...

:lol::lol::lol:

Oh, and I almost forgot - Salud!
Chill out and make it a great day!!!





[Edited on 7-16-2010 by BajaGringo]

grace59 - 7-16-2010 at 04:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
Just got back in to find that somebody sent me an email showing the relative murder rates between Mexico, Canada and the USA - Mexico the highest and Canada the lowest. I guess the person making that graph was attempting to support their position that I have my head in the sand (again) for wanting to live down here.

Look, if you want to live your life searching the internet for anything that will back your agenda via news articles, statistics and graphs, you will certainly find it - whatever that be. What happened to the poor couple down in Baja Sur last night was tragic and I am truly sorry for their plight. I look at the top 10 crime ridden cities in the USA from my previous post and I am sure that when similar crimes happen to anyone there (some of them small towns) those victims feel just as angry and vulnerable. We should be angry about crime, wherever and to whoever it happens.

We aren't isolated from crime anywhere on this planet so all we can do is decide where our comfort zone is, choose where we want to live based on that personal comfort level and then strive to enjoy life to the fullest while keeping a green laser, baseball bat, bazooka or whatever your weapon of choice behind the front door with rabid dogs and a moat to keep them at distance. That is true whether you choose to live in New Orleans or Tijuana, Pine Bluff or Buena Vista.

Those of you who don't feel safe down here shouldn't come, plain and simple. If graphs of country wide murder rates scare you away then I think you should be true to your convictions and permanently move to Canada where your graph clearly shows that you will be much safer.

Besides, I think their economy is doing better too...

:lol::lol::lol:

Oh, and I almost forgot - Salud!
Make it a great day!!!




[Edited on 7-16-2010 by BajaGringo]

I wish that there was a "Two Thumbs Up" icon on here! Baja is not for everyone. We all have to make and then live with our own decisions. I decided long ago that I love Baja and am not sorry for that. I am sorry that the people in Buena Vista were robbed and assaulted. I am sure they are scared. But is this something that only happens in Mexico? I'm afraid not...I live in a tiny town in WA (pop about 1,400) and last year a woman went missing from her own home. It is sad, but won't keep me from going into town. Unfortunately, we are not safe anywhere and must just choose where we personally enjoy life the most.
BajaGringo: How was the fishing today?

BajaGringo - 7-16-2010 at 04:47 PM

I am glad that you get it Grace - some do, some never will. Baja isn't for everybody and neither is Pine Bluff, Arkansas. And I'm not going to worry about it or dedicate all my time writing an internet blog to convince anybody differently either.

:rolleyes:

The fishing was great, thanks for asking. We filled a large ice chest in a couple of hours and now I am going to hop in the shower and get ready to head over to the feast. Somebody is supposed to be bringing some ribeyes and another some fresh lobster.

Should be a fun evening!

Salud!

Ken Cooke - 7-16-2010 at 06:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
The fishing was great, thanks for asking. We filled a large ice chest in a couple of hours


I had to buy my fish at the market yesterday. I'd take Baja anyday over Pine Bluff.

bajafam - 7-16-2010 at 08:31 PM

Of course, the majority thinks we're crazy..."You shouldn't take your kids there!!! It isn't safe!!"
There are a few that are jealous...."You're going to Baja again? for how long? Dude, wish we could come too!"

You should have heard the uproar when we told them we were going to spend two months in Baja and have a baby there!! My 'favorite' was my lovely cousin, who so eloquently stated ~ "Why would anyone want to have a baby in Mexico. They don't have any health care regulations there!" Hmm...seems to me that babies are born in Mexico, um, quite often, including my son :) and we did just fine!!

Tomorrow morning.....BAJA BOUND!!!

Marc - 7-16-2010 at 09:42 PM

My Family worries about me and I sometimes think about all that's supposed to be going on, but once I cross over I seem to totally forget about anything but having a good time.

Heather - 7-16-2010 at 09:55 PM

Just got back from the tip...most of the family lives there, so no problems...sister came down to visit. Only one afraid is my dad, and he's an old Marine, so has horror stories of TJ or whatever!

Irene knows whats up!

woody with a view - 7-16-2010 at 10:08 PM

the boss hopes i won't return (so he can hire someone else cheaper to do twice as much work...)

the guys know i'm gonna get all the best waves of the day, every day.

the chicks think i'm just some crazy surfer, dude!



i know what's REALLY goin' on........;D it's why we go!!!!

DanO - 7-16-2010 at 11:11 PM

In response to the original post, I don't give a damn what any of them think.

bacquito - 7-17-2010 at 07:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Iflyfish
Everyone thinks I am nuts!! "haven't you read about all the crime", "it isn't safe there" etc. etc. to a person, this is what I hear.

Iflyfish


"ditto"

DENNIS - 7-17-2010 at 07:39 AM

We have to quit telling friends and relatives of our travel plans. We don't want to upset them. :light:

Lista - 7-18-2010 at 11:02 AM

I tell them,' yes it is an awful place. dangerous and violent, you should never come down. I am taking my life in my hands the whole time i am there! stay away! the weather, roads, fishing, police are all awful". I haven't even told anyone that hwy 5 is now paved to huerfanito!! I still say, 5 hours of the road from hell! They way I see it, I go to Baja to escape reality.... If told those people how great it was, and they all show up, I really wouldn't be escaping now would I?:spingrin:

Barry A. - 7-18-2010 at 11:47 AM

When I was 16 (56 years ago) and had my first car and started going to Baja in earnest, most people I knew thought I (and my family) was nuts, or at least foolish. Nothing has really changed----------it has just intensified, what with the improvements (??) in communication.

That attitude that most people have is what keeps Baja so special, tho Baja is sadly erroding, in my opinion, as 'progress' comes to that wild land. The 'wildness' is still there, but a little harder to find these days.

I am so happy that I had the chance to see and play in Baja when it was truly a frontier--------aka the wild west!!!!

Barry

acadist - 7-18-2010 at 02:32 PM

I agree.....stay away from the most horrible place in the world!:lol:
Quote:
Originally posted by Lista
I tell them,' yes it is an awful place. dangerous and violent, you should never come down. I am taking my life in my hands the whole time i am there! stay away! the weather, roads, fishing, police are all awful".

irenemm - 7-18-2010 at 11:16 PM

For years we would have the Caravans in and the people would comment on the Baja. Many of the Caravans this would be the 1st stop some would make this the second stop.
I would always asked the people what do you think. Most would say that they loved it. Some would say not sure yet. Always on the way home the not sure yet's would not like Baja. If you don't like it by the time you get to Vicente Guerrero you won't like the rest either.
There are 2 types of people those of us that love it and the others who don't.
You can never change the minds of the don't like it people and that is good. let them stay home.
Almost everyone on the site loves it. a few don't and never will.