I guess I am the first one home from this event.
I will leave the details to Antonio and the Baja Connection but, this was a most enjoyable, incredible accomplishment by Antonio to put this
together on the Mexican side.
There was a lot going on, very well organized, great movies, great food and great people.
There is a big difference between talking "stuff" on the internet and looking into peoples eyes and seeing emotion and heart.
This is what I took away from this event and I thank Antonio for enlightening me to this. Perhaps not on purpose but knowing the true heart of the
Mexican people, it wouldn't surprise me if this was his original plan.
No matter how much people disagree on anything, I think I have learned that unless you are looking someone in the face to discuss your
disagreements, getting mad about it is a waste of time.
Because no one knows what is really being "felt". Maybe there is more to being human than I thought, say for instance "eye contact" and our showing
emotion when it comes to controversy over anything.
Thank you Antonio! And thank you everyone that I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time.
I think for the future, when there are that many Baja lovers, it should be a 3 day event. At least!
That many interesting people in one place is way too much for one day. I think that we could have had as much fun just talking to each other but,
Antonio has now "broken the ice" so to speak.
Those that didn't make it missed some great movies for sure. But, the real prize was seeing everyone in person. And that can be "almost free!"
THANK YOU 'BAJACACTUS'
David K - 8-22-2004 at 10:44 PM
I just got online and read JR's post... ditto! Looking into one's eyes is the best way to speak to people. Meeting the person 'behind' the keyboard
really adds to the enjoyment of the Baja message boards.
Thank you Antonio and your entire family and staff at Baja Cactus... You put on an AAA+++ event... No exaggeration!
Everything was perfect and professionally orchastrated. I know how much work you put into this and I know there was no unhappy people at CECUT or
PalmAzul.
The many items your printing company produced for the event was amazing... tote bags, buttons, banner, laminated name tags, literature, menu...
The Baja food and candy samples... wild! Dates from Vizcaino and San Ignacio, goat cheese from Santa Rosalia, mango, guava, and papaya jam, olives,
that drink like orchata, grapes from Guadalupe, and so much more!
Perfect too was the presentation of Bajo California and Ocean Oasis... and the guitar music mini concert of Vinicio Camacho...
The Baja California museum at CECUT really blew away those who had not seen it before... thank you for arranging guided tours.
Many of us continued on to PalmAzul for the 'Peninsular Cuisine' and NOBODY was disappointed. I tried everything and loved it all: ceviche, oysters,
clams, shrimp, deer burritos, chicken burritos, and the main course steak con nopales. Of course, dessert was no disappointment either... perhaps the
richest flan I ever had!
The atmosphere of PalmAzul was deffinately peninsular... You just gotta go there to believe they could reproduce San Pablo canyon rock art that way.
Antonio, thank you! The event was perfect and the sincerety of you and your family is 100%. The pleasure of going to Baja has just been advanced
greatly and it is all due to your efforts and kindness. Gracias mi amigo!!!
David
jrbaja - 8-22-2004 at 10:55 PM
"I tried everything and loved it all: ceviche, oysters, clams, shrimp, deer burritos, chicken burritos, and the main course steak con nopales. Of
course, dessert was no disappointment either... perhaps the richest flan I ever had! "
We have the perfect "jogging" beach. Come on by for the cure to your international bloatation.
10-4 on that one JR!
David K - 8-22-2004 at 11:07 PM
I hear that JESSE is ready to have a BBQ next, so if it is at your place, that beach jog should be mandatory!
I hope everyone gets home safe. I think Jack and Mary Kay Swords traveled the furthest coming from the Central Calif. Coast just for this event and
GeoRock was also a long ways from her Mammoth home.
My friend Frank and I had exactly a one hour wait (7:27 to 8:27) in the border line and an hour more to get to our homes.
I am looking forward to reading other guest's reviews!!!
[Edited on 8-23-2004 by David K]BajaNomad - 8-22-2004 at 11:51 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
My friend Frank and I had exactly a one hour wait (7:27 to 8:27) in the border line and an hour more to get to our homes.
Decided that the right side at San Ysidro might be busier than the left, and tried to make a run from the
left side... to no avail (at about 8:15 or so)... as they closed down the approach from that side of the border (I have no idea why) at the gringo
trap. Since they pushed us on the highway that runs along the river, I decided just to run over to Otay and check it out... as I hadn't crossed over
there anytime recently and wanted to see the current configuration.
Otay hasn't changed much anytime recently from what I could see (it was dark by then after all). I wasn't watching the clock real close, but would
say we got there about 8:30 and crossed by 9:10 or so.
Lets see if I can get some pics up tonight in this thread.
Great to see everyone out there, and many thanks to Antonio and family for their generosity and hospitality in putting on this event.
Even with the knowledge of the itinerary for the day, the event was certainly - once again - way beyond expectations.
--
Doug Means
[Edited on 8-23-2004 by BajaNomad]BajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:11 AM
BajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:12 AM
Antonio (R), his father (L) and family graciously hosted this event for all to enjoy.
[Edited on 8-23-2004 by BajaNomad]BajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:13 AM
Some of the prizes being raffled earlier.BajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:14 AM
We have a winner!BajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:18 AM
Michelle ecstatic having won a Baja California image donated by Satellite Man (Arman).BajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:20 AM
Neal Johns and GeoRock staring down each other...BajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:21 AM
BajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:21 AM
BajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:22 AM
Arman (Satellite Man), David K, Antonio (Baja Cactus), Nichole & Neal Johns @ Palma Azul.BajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:23 AM
Inside Palma AzulBajaNomad - 8-23-2004 at 12:24 AM
Inside Palma Azul.
WOW
Baja Bernie - 8-23-2004 at 07:02 AM
Couldn't go and it looks like I missed the event of the year!
Now all of you who were able to attend know what a wonderful, sharing, bunch of people make up Antonio's family.
JR, Your comments about anger and looking eye to eye are so important.
David, I am amazed (HaHa) that you were so modest in your consumption at the restaurant.
Glad you all had a great time.Herb - 8-23-2004 at 07:56 AM
Yes, it was a very nice event. Thank you, very much Antonio!whodat54321 - 8-23-2004 at 09:37 AM
Awesome event! I don't think any of us can thank Antonio and his family enough for this treat. That's gonna be hard to beat.
I had to scoot home after the door prizes, as I needed to get some sleep. I guess I had the easiest time getting back. 20 minute walk to the customs
line and another 10 to 15 (the line went out the door, but was FLYING) to clear customs and hoof it back to my car.
if there were only more hours in a day....
still got vacation time to burn, just need to figure out where to go and what to see.
i'm hooked. reel me in, baja.Neal Johns - 8-23-2004 at 09:46 AM
I gotta start a new list of "good guys". Antonio and his father will be at the top! Unbelievable! Never mind the Museum, the two movies, the taste
test foods, the bag of goodies at registration, and the great dinner - I found a couple of new wives-in-waiting and calmed down a few old ones -
"You're Number One, baby, just don't tell the others...."
The downside to the event: Antonio catches on fast: He started his own WiW list by stopping by my table and making Marian WiW Number One. She thought
it was great and reminded me of it all the way home. Satellite Man - 8-23-2004 at 10:22 AM
Bravo Antonio and family!!!
This event was an excellent example of hospitality and honest friendship of the Mexican people.
It was an amazing experience, for myself and Kelly, to meet you all in person. I think the diversity of the people parallels the diversity that makes
Baja unique and that?s what I like about Baja Nomads and Baja.
One of my favorite parts was the door prize giveaway. The reaction of the prizewinners was priceless. Ted Donovan and his blue dolphin bag was a sight
to be seen.
I had many people ask me questions about the satellite prints. Please, feel free to drop me a line if you have any more questions.
I would also like to thank BajaNomad for putting the board together and posting all the pictures. Because of this board I have had the opportunity to
be part of the BajaCactus Cultural Fiesta and to meet great people like Antonio, David K and all the other Baja Nomads.
Once again, Antonio and his family deserve a warm round of applause?????
Great Gathering
Baja Red - 8-23-2004 at 10:52 AM
I also forward my thanks to Antonio and his family. I will second what jrbaja wrote. Seeing people eye to eye and actually talking to them makes all
the difference in the world. Especially knowing that we all have a common denominator....The Love for Baja. Putting the "faces" with the screen names
was a good thing. I did not get to meet all of you but really enjoyed talking to the ones that I did get to meet. What a great group of people.
Whodat...I am sorry that I did not get a chance to say good-bye and shake your hand but Leslie and I had to meet some friends downtown. I am looking
forward to the next event or gathering in Baja. Until then....Baja Red & LeslieLOVE2GO2BAJA - 8-23-2004 at 11:11 AM
THANK YOU ANTONIO, YOUR MOST GRACIOUS FAMILY, DAVID K. AND EVERYONE ELSE INVOLVED WITH PUTTING TOGETHER THE BAJA CACTUS EVENT FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE
TIME. IT WAS GREAT EXPERIENCE TO MEET SO MANY OTHER BAJA ENTHUSIASTS, REITERATING THE FACT THAT ALONG WITH ALL THE MAGNIFICIENT PLACES TO SEE AND
EXPERIENCE IN BAJA, IT'S ALSO THE PEOPLE THAT YOU MEET IN BAJA THAT MAKE IT SO UNFORGETTABLY SPECIAL.jeans - 8-23-2004 at 11:28 AM
Hi Everyone....I just got home. I stayed at Mom's in Rosarito. I was so stuffed with all that good food, there was no way I could have driven home
last night!
There is not much more I can add to all the accolades to Antonio and his family for hosting such a great event. You really "went all out" for us.
THANK YOU!
It was fun to introduce my mother to "my tribe" (as Marla once called us) and she was thrilled to win a stay at BajaCactus Motel. She will use it in
her travels to their home in Gonzaga.
A great big THANK YOU
Keri - 8-23-2004 at 03:16 PM
Thanks Antonio JR and SR. David K thanks for all the time and effort you put into this event also. My husband and I had a wonderful time at your
BajaCactus Fiesta. I'd like to just ditto what everyone else has stated ,it was fantastic. Thank you Thank you. Hope to see you again soon in El
Rosario we will be your neighbors from San Quintin. It was great getting to put faces to the people I'm with daily. Jessie and love2go2baja and
fishrich we enjoyed meeting you and hope you'll visit us at Pyramid Resort sometime in the near future.Keri and Mikemarla - 8-23-2004 at 05:28 PM
Muchas gracias to Antonio and his wife Loraine (sic?) also his dad for all the work they did. I enjoyed myself greatly and will save the special
tequila for the tequila tasting next year at Keri's (maybe--no promises hee hee). I also want to tell you all something to NOT DO! DON"T accidentally
get in the SENTRI lane as we did Sunday night and not be able to get out! They sent us to secondary and made us cool our heels for 45 minutes--THEN
made us go back into MExico and get back in the customs line again. AAARGH! My babysitter was coming unglued we were so late and I couldn't use my
cellfone to call her. Well if I ever see anything that says SENTRI again I will run like hell.Bob and Susan - 8-23-2004 at 07:08 PM
The festival at the cultural center was Outstanding.......an event to remember.
....taxi from border 5 min $5...to the border taxi 5 min $5...walk across 5 min
No problems....
New Friends to Visit
Bajaboy - 8-23-2004 at 09:25 PM
Tracy and I enjoyed ourselves as well. As some of you may know, we are getting married in Baja this coming October (another excuse for a trip) near
Elias Calles (between Todos Santos and Cabo). We are taking 12 days to visit friends and to celebrate along the way. This will be our first hotel
trip with no camping. We had our hotels planned out but now are trying to figure out a way to fit the Baja Cactus Hotel in along the way. Anotonio
and family are wonderful and we'd enjoy sitting down and sharing some stories together. Thanks to everyone for making this great event happen.
Zac
Zac......are we all invited?
Debra - 8-23-2004 at 09:35 PM
Baja Cactus Cultural Fiesta!!
MexicoTed - 8-23-2004 at 10:44 PM
I wanted to throw in my "two cents" also. My father-in-law, Bob Grant, and I had a great time sunday.
Thanks so much Antonio (and family) for making us feel so welcome and putting on such a fantastic event. If you do something like this again, I don't
think you'll have enough seats! Everything was wonderful.
It was very nice meeting all the other Baja Aficionados that I did and I wish I would have met the rest of you. Great time.
Hope you'll all participate in the Baja Talk Radio show and any calls are extremely welcome.
Way to go Antonio (thanks to you also David and Ray)!! I'll be in touch soon,
Ted
[Edited on 8-24-2004 by MexicoTed]David K - 8-23-2004 at 11:17 PM
Good meeting you Ted! Perhaps I will give you a call next Tuesday as tomorrow's show sounds complete...
When my seasonal (irrigation) business slows down during wet months, I would be happy to come to your studio for a show about the missions, El Camino
Real, or the old pre-pavement days.
We need Mike Humfreville on your show too... That episode could be titled "Jack? I don't need no stinkin' jack!" or "Baja on 2 boxes of wine per
day"... I think you need to read some of the past posts over the last couple of years to appreciate the comedy here!
I also think J.R. ('jrbaja') would be an interesting guest... he was a major player in the Titanic movie prodution set crew and ran a display of
Titanic artifacts in Rosarito after filming was completed. Heck, most of the Baja Nomads would make good guests! Markitos - 8-24-2004 at 05:53 AM
Like I said before YOU GUYS ROCK!!
Antonio, you and your familey are some mighty hard workers. The event surley took me by surprize, so well planed and executed WOW! And a nicer bunch
of gringos will not be found! So nice to meet all of you.
Thanks Again Markitos
That might be fun David
jrbaja - 8-24-2004 at 07:31 AM
except it's kinda old news. Do you think they might be interested in people that actually travel, explore and know the people of Baja on a daily
basis?
Naw, probably not!
Can we move the dates for the scavenger trip to share in Joy of the wedding of Zak and his bride? It would only be a little move of dates......(I
feel another month in Baja coming on, :biggrinbajaandy - 8-24-2004 at 12:45 PM
Whoo Hooo! What a fiesta! My family, my friends and I all had a wonderful time. Many thanks to Antonio, et.al. for a super event. I agree with Jr
that one day was just not enough time! And while the movies and the cultural center were outstanding in their own right, it was the connection with
the other nomads that made this event one that will be fondly remembered. And what a hoot the door prizes were! I was so stoked to win one of
Satellite Man's images! Thanks Armand. Thanks also to all the other nomads who made this such a great way to spend a day. I look forward to seeing
you all again on trips to Baja.Satellite Man - 8-24-2004 at 04:09 PM
Thanks bajaandy!
I wish I could have contributed more. Maybe, if business is doing well next year, I could have something special for all involved!!
THANK YOU!!!!!
BajaCactus - 8-24-2004 at 07:40 PM
Thank you everyone for your kind and nice comments about our Fiesta last sunday!!!
We feel very honor and happy because a lot of people attended....specially those of you who made an impressive and long drive to come to Tijuana for
only one day.....
We would like for everyone to know that we felt much joy when we saw your happy faces enjoying what we worked so hard putting up for you..... that was
our big reward...!!!
It is important that you all know that this event could not been made possible without the direct and indirect help of some good friends like Vinicio
Camacho (the musician who performed for us), Doug who has this board up and running so we can all communicate, the staff of the Tijuana Cultural
Center who gave us an excellent support: Olimpya, Ixchetl, Elena, Jose, Alexandra and our guides Josue and Miriam....Thank you very much!!!
And last......of course.... DAVID K.....you were awesome my friend... now I know why you are call "The Baja Connection"... you help and support on
this Fiesta was nothing less than extraordinary... we THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all your support and help...!!!.....
In behalf of my father and my wife, and the staff of BajaCactus, we THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH for coming to the BajaCactus Cultural Fiesta
2004!!!
We met a lot of friends... now face to face....it was great.... For all the friends who were not able to make it... there will be more fiestas in the
near future... hopefully we will be able to meet then....
Thanks again everyone...
Antonio M.
P.S. Neal Johns..... say hello to your wife for me..........
[Edited on 8-25-2004 by BajaCactus]GeoRock - 8-24-2004 at 08:39 PM
Antonio jr., sr, wife, and all listed in the above post: Thank you very much for a very enjoyable day in Tijuana. I enjoyed seeing old faces and
making new Baja friends. Your generosity created a fantastic day, one which I won't forget. I appreciate all the hard work and long hours that it
must have taken to organize an event of that magnitude.
I was so impressed by the professionalism, the details! And thanks to your wife for the Mexican candy. It was an interesting assortment.
I must admit that the odds are very low that I ever would have gone to the Cultural Center museum, gardens, and IMAX. I am so glad that you provided
an opportunity as you did for all of us.
It was a pleasure to meet you and your family and friends. Please tell your dad hello for me.
Neal: Thanks for the book. I know you made sure I won it because I'm wife #1.
Border crossing: 10 minutes on foot, then back to Orange County where I'm stranded until my vehicle is out of the shop.
Wonderful time
John M - 8-24-2004 at 08:57 PM
Barbara and I got home this afternoon and read the many messages about the festivities this past Sunday. We, also, would like to thank Antonio and his
family, David K, and also acknowledge the great museum staff, as well as say that we agree that the dinner was a great way to end the evening. We are
happy to have met so many other Baja fans. John Marnell
De Nada Amigos
David K - 8-24-2004 at 10:30 PM
I couldn't have been more pleased with how everything transpired Sunday. I was stunned as much as the rest of you as to the professionalism of the
entire day. Didn't the CECUT complex just surpass anything you ever thought existed in Tijuana... or even Mexico? There is much we gringos have to see
and learn about Mexico, ?verdad?
I was really thrilled to see so many new faces and meet new friends.
Those of you who have attended my Viva Baja events trusted me when I sent you the email invites that this would be a special day... However, the new
Nomads who came on faith were very pleased as well. That is all because of Antonio and his family! Of the 70 RSVPs only 2 did not attend... That is
phenominal given the fact of where the event was and where most of you had to drive from! The 'Baja Brotherhood' (and sisterhood) is very strong!
NOW more of you have discovered what a wonderful thing the Internet (BajaNomad.com) can be to our quest to have MORE BAJA in our lives. And, when I
say 'Baja' I mean the wonderful people of Baja as much as the exciting land itself.
Because Antonio and I have been communicating a lot, I can assure you that more is yet to come. The hundreds of Nomads and 'lurkers' that did not
attend last Sunday's fiesta will have future opportunities to enjoy meeting Baja people (Spanish and English speaking).
Finally, it really was my sincere pleasure to help make this Baja connection between all of you and BajaCactus. I can never have too much Baja or too
many Baja friends... I am at your service, el gusto es mio!
[Edited on 8-25-2004 by David K]Cyndarouh - 8-25-2004 at 12:06 PM
Antonio and All that provided us the most Wonderful Day. What a joy Sunday's Fiesta was, we all truely enjoyed ourselves. You really did an
Outstanding job. Thank You!!!!! Francico - 8-29-2004 at 09:20 PM
Wow! What a very, indeed very special day!!!
Muchas gracias to Antonio, his family, and associates for organizing this fantastic event. I ditto JR's and David K's posts who have said it so well.
And David, thank you so very much for inviting me to BAJA CACTUS FIESTA. Without your invitation, I neither would have had this superb introduction to
Mexican Baja culture nor would I have met so many wonderful and interesting people. Thank you so much.
David K - 8-29-2004 at 11:49 PM
Francisco, el gusto es mio! Welcome to Baja Nomad as well! Now the next phase is getting you a four wheel drive, fishing boat, ATV, GPS, camping
gear... well, let's not rush things!
.....
