BajaNomad - Crazy gringo in Catavina

Crazy gringo in Catavina

oldtortisegrl - 7-6-2011 at 05:44 PM

Six years and three years ago we stopped at the store in Catavina for road relief . We met a sundrenched, toothless gringo who went off about strawberry fields he owned in Laguna Beach....well he's still there. This time ranting about Marilyn Munroe (his X), inventing the roller skate, Duncun yoyo, frisbee, and the bank and....wait for it...the coma...as "in pause". This time we offered him a ride to SD, wanted to hear what he'd say. His reply was "no, no, why would I want to go there"? He said he doesn't live in Cativina just "stopping through". I'd suggest stopping at the store, give him some pesos and if your car is in need of some comic relief.....he's worth it.

O.G. - 7-6-2011 at 05:48 PM

Yea, they call him "peso" cause thats the amount he always asks for. :cool:

oldtortisegrl - 7-6-2011 at 05:51 PM

Yup...that's what he asked for, a peso. Apparently the local people feed him.

BajaBlanca - 7-6-2011 at 05:52 PM

I can't believe we have never seent his guy .... all the time we have gone thru Catavinia and not once have I seen him.

O.G. - 7-6-2011 at 05:52 PM

Peso spins a pretty seamless tale; rather gifted in that regard. Wouldin't mind him joining me at a campfire for...say...10 minutes. Very entertaining BS.

mojo_norte - 7-6-2011 at 05:53 PM

yeah - 3 years ago at the store . 'can you spare a peso'

DENNIS - 7-6-2011 at 06:02 PM

Don't they call him "Gotta Peso?"

Mulegena - 7-6-2011 at 06:03 PM

That's GottaPeso you met, a Baja legend... in his own mind, anyway.

Before I knew who he was I reported him to the cops when there was an APB out for an American wanted for a nasty crime. The bad guy turned up in Mexicali trying to get back into the USA.

Definitely not our Man on the Street in the Baja Heat.
The locals in Catavina have been tolerating him for years without apparent ill effect.
He's been featured in many a thread here on Nomad.

Wonder what he'd say if he knew his image appeared on this board with some regularity?
Probably spin it into one of his grand fantasies.

DENNIS - 7-6-2011 at 06:06 PM

Here he is with Woody:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=50325#pid5854...

woody with a view - 7-6-2011 at 07:42 PM

"i was Boy in Tarzan!"

:lol:

still, a very entertaining guy for 5 minutes. after that the thought of jumping lice starts to invoke an involuntary itching spasm in even the best of us......

RichBaja - 7-6-2011 at 07:49 PM

Which one is woody? :biggrin:

DENNIS - 7-6-2011 at 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichBaja
Which one is woody?

Uhhhh....lessee....I never thought about that. It's one of them I'm pretty sure. :lol:

woody with a view - 7-6-2011 at 07:56 PM

Rich, that was funny Rich. good one! don't quit your day job in the hopes of becoming a stand up comedian. just run away and join the circus, bro.....

now drop dead....

edit: i'm the fat man, remember?

[Edited on 7-7-2011 by woody with a view]

Bob H - 7-6-2011 at 08:15 PM

I love the Youtube clip of Gotta Peso Man from Woody's link.

A classic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKza_q7DPf0

KurtG - 7-6-2011 at 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
I can't believe we have never seent his guy .... all the time we have gone thru Catavinia and not once have I seen him.

He is usually seated on the side of the highway directly across from the little store. I generally give him 10 Pesos or so, he lives in his own little fantasy world but is certainly harmless. Last month I thought that he is starting to look the worse for wear, I'm curious about how old he is but not curious enough to ask since any answer would probably take more time than I'm willing to spend with him. He seems to have created a reality that he can live with but I have often wondered what his real story is.

DENNIS - 7-6-2011 at 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KurtG
I'm curious about how old he is but not curious enough to ask since any answer would probably take more time than I'm willing to spend with him.

I once asked him that. He's 730.........or, he was then. He must be 732 now.

EdZeranski - 7-6-2011 at 10:20 PM

Years ago after I bought a soda in the store I was given with a story about how he was the guy who produced the Elvis pictures and Easy Rider but got ripped off by Hollywood.

RdZ KG6UTS

shari - 7-7-2011 at 07:42 AM

man...someone should do a movie about Gotta Peso!!! I dont think the locals have to feed him...he makes pretty good coin in a day there...he probably talks to over 50 cars a day...if everybody gives him 10 pesos...hell that's way more than I make!

maybe a Nomad contest is in order...a prize for who can make the best video clip of him!

[Edited on 7-7-2011 by shari]

capt. mike - 7-7-2011 at 07:45 AM

what does he continually look at when he turns??

scary intelligence...likely some form of savant with synapsis wiring issues?

vandenberg - 7-7-2011 at 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
what does he continually look at when he turns??

scary intelligence...likely some form of savant with synapsis wiring issues?

Maybe has a teleprompter like our fearless leader. :?:

KurtG - 7-7-2011 at 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
man...someone should do a movie about Gotta Peso!!! I dont think the locals have to feed him...he makes pretty good coin in a day there...he probably talks to over 50 cars a day...if everybody gives him 10 pesos...hell that's way more than I make!

maybe a Nomad contest is in order...a prize for who can make the best video clip of him!

[Edited on 7-7-2011 by shari]

I don't think his success ratio is very high, I've watched him and most people just ignore him or send him away. He appears to me to just be a deluded, lost soul and if my few pesos help keep him going for another day that is fine with me. I find the idea of making videos of a disturbed guy for our amusement a little distasteful but thats just me.

David K - 7-7-2011 at 08:33 AM

Never met the guy... and we were in Cataviña buying gas on Sunday.

shari - 7-7-2011 at 10:50 AM

perhaps you are right Kurt, I apologize...he is just such a character and has sooooo many different tales and offers to tell them to everyone...I would love to hear some of them but we only visit relatives in Catavinia and usually dont stop at the store there.

DENNIS - 7-7-2011 at 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
perhaps you are right Kurt, I apologize...he is just such a character and has sooooo many different tales and offers to tell them to everyone...I would love to hear some of them but we only visit relatives in Catavinia and usually dont stop at the store there.

Well...you could invite him over to your place for the summer.

shari - 7-7-2011 at 12:53 PM

what a capital idea Dennis :light:

nahhhh....i wouldnt want to deprive Catavinia of one of it's star attractions plus we dont get much traffic here....plus he would be competition for all the queens, clubs, and CREAD folks who hold out their cups at the stop signs.

KurtG - 7-7-2011 at 02:48 PM

Quote:

Nothing to apologize for, I know you to be a very good hearted person. I don't think he is making up these tales to get handouts but rather lives in "GottaPesoLandia" where all these tales are true.

LancairDriver - 7-7-2011 at 03:03 PM

Ran into him again on a trip down in March. He lives a pretty Spartan existence, sleeping in old junk cars down the road from the store, and panhandling. His clothes are filthy and he obviously could use a Dentist and some medical work, but he seems to be satisfied with his lifestyle. He seems to have an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the past entertainment business, which he obviously uses to conjure up some of the tales he comes up with. If you have listened to him you will have to conclude he has a pretty inventive mind. It would be interesting to know what his actual story is.
I always give him a 200 peso note, well worth the entertainment.

Mulegena - 7-7-2011 at 04:07 PM

How 'bout some clothes for him, a toothbrush, some personal items? He's not likely to buy some for himself. Nothin' fancy, just a few things, maybe an old suitcase for storage. All given casually, in an off-hand manner in passing. Catavina's hot in summer and cold in winter.

Martyman - 7-7-2011 at 04:11 PM

The chile rellenos are great at the little stand where Gottapeso hangs out.

Bajahowodd - 7-7-2011 at 04:18 PM

No offense to that relative handful of Catavinians, but it just seems to me that the very fact that this guy selected a location that is at the same time, off the grid, remote, and has hellish climate extremes, just seems to me to prove he's quite daffy.

Von - 7-7-2011 at 04:35 PM

Crazy place just to hang out? Somewhat boring to be homeless and Hot asshell and cold lol! Ive never seen him so weird~ill look for him next time i go by~ See what he says to me cannt wait! Boy in Tarzan lol!

RichBaja - 7-7-2011 at 04:46 PM

While venturing in Baja I ran into a very strange bird. I was at a "secret" surf spot taking photos. He waddled up to me and started ranting and raving that this was his "secret" area and his "secret" waves. He smelled terrible and was in awful shape. I gave him a quick love tap with the stun gun and we were on our way. I remember hearing him yell "don't you know who I am? I am woody and this is my area"! :lol:

Gottapeso

vgabndo - 7-7-2011 at 05:03 PM

January '10

IMG_0502.JPG - 36kB

Hook - 7-7-2011 at 05:12 PM

Let me take you down
'cause I'm going to
Strawberry Fields.
Nothing is real.
And nothing to get hung about.
Strawberry Fields forever.

Too much Strawberry Fields is my opinion.

David K - 7-7-2011 at 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichBaja
While venturing in Baja I ran into a very strange bird. I was at a "secret" surf spot taking photos. He waddled up to me and started ranting and raving that this was his "secret" area and his "secret" waves. He smelled terrible and was in awful shape. I gave him a quick love tap with the stun gun and we were on our way. I remember hearing him yell "don't you know who I am? I am woody and this is my area"! :lol:

Did you have a GPS in your hand? That would have really set him off! LOL What will happen when the revised 'Surfer's Guide to Baja' is published?!!! :lol:

woody with a view - 7-7-2011 at 08:16 PM

see, and here i am trying to pretend like i give a chiit..... i'll be heading south in the morning, returning monday late so if you wanna try your luck you know where to look.

otherwise, eat me.....

David K - 7-7-2011 at 08:26 PM

Have fun Woody!

MexicoTed - 7-7-2011 at 08:28 PM

My brother and I ran into Peso (as the store clerk later informed us) on a trip last January. We sat outside and enjoyed a drink. He came up and started chatting with us and we offered him a soda and some chips. Ended up talking with him for about 30 minutes and he was great. Told us he loves the area and has been there for 10 years. Also, he plans to buy Catavina soon!
Ted

jimgrms - 7-8-2011 at 07:15 AM

What if all the stories are true )))

DENNIS - 7-8-2011 at 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimgrms
What if all the stories are true )))

They are.

Hook - 7-8-2011 at 08:36 AM

Couldnt be.

Otherwise, HE'D be the spokesman for Dos Equis.

Phil S - 7-8-2011 at 08:46 AM

Soime time ago, I was taking with a fellow who knew Peso, and said at one time, he had attended college where Obama was lecturing. Peso said that Obama was pretty good at it????????????????????????

DENNIS - 7-8-2011 at 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Couldnt be.

Otherwise, HE'D be the spokesman for Dos Equis.

Oh, yeah....."Stay delusional, my friends."

capt. mike - 7-8-2011 at 09:56 AM

what i am wondering....why has he not been deported?
surely he has no visa, FMT or whatever they use now.
he'd have to renew every 6 mos at a border.

why do they let him stay indefinitely?

i get caught with an expired visa and it is big trouble.
a crazy loon gets under the radar.

DENNIS - 7-8-2011 at 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
what i am wondering....why has he not been deported?

Years back in the states, I had a neighbor who drank triple all the time. The Sheriff pulled him over one day for a 502 and in the process, my drunken sot neighbor asked the man if he could go behind the bushes and take a leak. I guess he was about to burst.
The cop said no and told him to stay put, so Mr.Sot stood there and unloaded his bladder right in his pants. He was soaked and his shoes were full.
The Sheriff watched this happen and decided that since he was only a mile or two from home, it would be safe to allow him to drive the distance. He didn't want this mess in his vehicle.

Maybe that's why GottaPeso hasn't been attended to.

capt. mike - 7-8-2011 at 10:51 AM

ha! that's funny, man.

i think the next time i get pulled over i will schitt my drawers. :lol:

but only if i am close to home.

mtgoat666 - 7-8-2011 at 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
what i am wondering....why has he not been deported?
surely he has no visa, FMT or whatever they use now.
he'd have to renew every 6 mos at a border.

why do they let him stay indefinitely?

i get caught with an expired visa and it is big trouble.
a crazy loon gets under the radar.

you sound like you are jealous

mtgoat666 - 7-8-2011 at 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimgrms
What if all the stories are true )))

then he would truly be the most interesting man in the world (instead of the gringo from the valley impersonating a latino on TV)

mtgoat666 - 7-8-2011 at 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
then he would truly be the most interesting man in the world (instead of the gringo from the valley impersonating a latino on TV)

Latino?? Perhaps, but his name is Jonathan Goldsmith.

dennis,
i said "impersonating"
capiche?

DENNIS - 7-8-2011 at 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
dennis,
i said "impersonating"
capiche?

Yeah................ I was a bit late, but I got it.

Cypress - 7-8-2011 at 12:33 PM

capiche?

tripledigitken - 7-8-2011 at 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
capiche?

It's wiseguy talk.

BornFisher - 7-8-2011 at 01:34 PM

I think it`s Corky Carroll!!

bajafam - 7-8-2011 at 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vgabndo
January '10

Hey vgabndo! Great pic!
Nice to see that he is wearing the jacket that we gave him on our last trip

[Edited on 7-8-2011 by bajafam]

RichBaja - 7-8-2011 at 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajafam

Quote:

Originally posted by vgabndo
January '10

Hey vgabndo! Great pic!
Nice to see that he is wearing the jacket that we gave him on our last trip

[Edited on 7-8-2011 by bajafam]

Not that she wants to toot her own horn or anything. TOOT TOOT :biggrin:

DENNIS - 7-8-2011 at 07:53 PM

Excellent. Thanks, Ridge.

Bajahowodd - 7-8-2011 at 08:59 PM

Just thinking that if he actually had a peso for every post on this thread, he could buy Catavina!

GordoyFeo - 7-8-2011 at 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BornFisher
I think it`s Corky Carroll!!

Could be. Or maybe it is Chuck Dent?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uHs3E9tva8

BornFisher - 7-8-2011 at 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GordoyFeo

Quote:

Originally posted by BornFisher
I think it`s Corky Carroll!!

Could be. Or maybe it is Chuck Dent?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uHs3E9tva8

Nice try Gordie but Corky is still KING!!!!
BTW, the Dent youtube was great!! But watch this!!!----

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwP2uLl-CF4&feature=relat...

Uno Peso is Corky, no doubt!!

Skipjack Joe - 7-10-2011 at 03:27 AM

We came across the man on Thursday 7/7.

You never know about people like that. I once read an article in the paper about a guy like that. After he died they found that he had left $700,000 in his bank account. Everyone was amazed.

The strained expressions on his face, however, struck me as not being a very happy individual. Being 'king of the road' must not be that great.