BajaCactus - 7-26-2004 at 06:02 PM
A few weeks ago, I got two books from Bernie.. a yellow one and a blue one....
I had been trying to read the yellow one (MI BAJA) for a while, and I had managed to read a couple of chapters, but my heavy load of work have
prevented me from reading much of it.
So, this weekend, I decided to make a space to read it... I set on my porshe, put some jazz on the stereo and began.....
Wow!!!... Bernie knows how to take you along with him in his writings....
He took me, literally, in a journey thru time and space, as he began to describe his first experiences in Baja....what a ride!!!
Now, after I finished his book, I feel like I know him much better, and that I know Baja even more than before.
We went to La Salina when it was beggining its development, I met Art (the guy who introduce Bernie to Baja), we built Art's casita at the beach, I
met many friends of La Salina, we were in La Cantina many, many times... we even had a couple of thieves around... but no worrys....Bill was there (a
canadian marine special forces guy)... we bought some tamales from peddlers, we learned how to haunt for octopus... Bernie teached me what are the
origins for La Salina street names....and many.... many... many... many... many....more things......
Did I mention we played some caballos (no, not ride horses.... it is a mexican play.... well when you read the book you will know).
If you really like Baja, you cannot miss reading this excellent book from our friend Bernie... it is excepcional... full of feelings and places, and
humans..... Baja humans....
You know, in Baja. when a mexican finds a beautiful beach, we do not keep it for ourselves.... we try to share it with our friends... we want them to
enjoy the same as we did... wel... I really enjoyed Bernie's "Mi Baja"..... I invite you to read it and enjoy it, just as I did....
I am looking forward to reading the blue one.....
I leave you quoting one of my favorites parts of Bernie's yellow book.....
"When I asked Yolanda how she got the octopus she said that she just dove down and stuck her hand in a hole in the underwater cliff and an octopus
would grab onto her arm. I asked her what she would do if a really BIG octopus were to grab her arm. She looked at me as if I were an idiot and said:
?ou don't put your arm in no BIG hole."
Enough said!
David K - 7-26-2004 at 06:36 PM
Excellent book review Antonio! Far better than the one I wrote... in which I ended that Bernie's 'Mi Baja' was the first 100 proof book on my shelf!
Thanks!!!
BajaCactus - 7-27-2004 at 08:58 PM
Thanks David... Bernie book is so enjoyable that it speaks for itself......
[Edited on 7-28-2004 by BajaCactus]
BajaCactus.........
Debra - 7-28-2004 at 01:25 PM
I was at your hotel on the 3rd. of July I was planning on spending the night (hotel was full-up) I tried to ask for you, but, I couldn't get your
front desk person to understand what I wanted (I at least wanted to say "hello") He did get on the phone and find me a room at "Mama's" I'll stop
again on my way north tomorrow, will you be in town? Debra
Hi Debra...
BajaCactus - 7-28-2004 at 03:39 PM
I know what you mean.... unfortunately is very difficult to find english spoken personal in this rural comunities....
I will not be in El Rosario until tuesday next week, I had planned to be there most of this week, but I was held up with some construction material I
need to send from Tijuana, for the Motel construction....
I am so sorry I will miss you again...
Drive safely Debra....
Antonio M.
Antonio
Baja Bernie - 9-7-2004 at 04:38 PM
I feel like an uncaring gringo. I just had your thread pointed out to me. Your evaluation of my books mean a lot to me because you are able to
measure it with heart of a true Mexican. Thank you so much.
Thanks, David. A hundred proof ain't so bad.