BajaNomad - leaving mulege

leaving mulege

mulege marv - 7-29-2011 at 10:02 AM

leaving mulege or should i say trying

well to start with, i havent posted in a long, long time. this was partly due to the direction this forum has headed. anyway after seven years living in mulege the wife and i made a very hard decision and were going to make the move out of baja even tho it meant leaving alot of dear friends behind. this is somewhat how the move went and i know already there will be criticizim, but being my last post, what the f***.
after finding a buyer for our home and several trips to san carlos (sonora) and purchasing a home there we started planning our big move to the mainland. piece of cake i thought, could load my truck and the boat with what was left of our worldly goods, put the small stuff along with the 2 dogs and the cat in the wifes car get on the ferry and be in san carlos the next day, one trip, right ? so the story unfolds.
the wife and i drive 45 minutes on a wednesday to santa rosalia to make reservations to get on the ferry the following week. we told them the length of the truck and boat and the small car we would be taking. the fee for the truck and boat was $10,000 pesos and the car was around $3000. i paid the nice lady got our boarding passes and was all set to get on ther ferry next wednesday. the day before departure of course we all had a few good bye drinks at the jungle, hugs and tears , the remember whens and all that goes with leaving good friends. we get up the next morning finish loading the vehicles (way loaded) put the dogs and the cat in the car and off we go to what we know is going to be a less than pleasurable trip.
arriving at the ferry i couldnt help but notice it was alot more crowded the it was when we were the the previous week, but no worrys right, i already made a reservation and had even paid for my tickets, plus i noticed when i made the reservation there were no other vehicles scheduled for that day. being first on the list no problem right ? i go to check in at the office and the gal who i made the reservation with has this kinda wierd look on her face, here and the other gal behind the desk are whispering to each other. i later suspected they were probably arguing about who would tell me the news. after a few minutes the loser comes over and tells me we cannot get on the ferry because it is too full. after going over all the facts like, first on the list, reserved a week ago, bla bla bla , i could see i was getting nowhere. i mean what was i thinking ? just because i made a reservation a week in advance, prepaid, my expections were way to high thinking i had a spot on the ferry locked.i was told there were alot of commercial trucks and even tho i booked ahead of them they could not be bumped. so we change the reservation to friday, and was assured there would be no problem, thats when i started to worry. so we drove 45 min. back to mulege, took everything back to our old house unloaded what we needed for the two days.
the day before (thursday) we are saying good byes again at the jungle and laughing about the situation and sure everything be a go the next day. friday we get up load everthing back into the vehicles, we make the drive again, arrive at the fairly empty parking lot and think well this looks good. i go to the office to check in and everthing seems to be going smoothly. she looks at my passport again, vehicle info and tells me ok go wait by the vehicles. the military arrive with drug mutt and circle the vehicles while a guy circles with what looked like a water witch, then they rifled through our worldly goods gave a nod and off they went to the next vehicle. after waiting a substantle time a lady from customs comes over has me go over to the light and push the button. green light, yea i thought finally its going to happen. the captain of the ferry comes over and tells me to back the truck and boat in and that i need to be the first to load. great, but wait, the customs lady says she needs to see my paperwork. i hand her the pink slips to the truck and boat and the import papers compares all the numbers everything matches but wait, the import paper wasn't in my name. i was then told the boat could not go on the ferry. i said well i have all the pink slips the boat is here lets go in your office and re-import the boat in my name. nope she says we dont do that here, you will need to tow the boat to la paz and import it there. the captain of the ferry now gets involved and he is yelling at the customs lady on my behalf in spanish. he told me there was no way she would allow the boat on the ferry. i explain to my wife what has happened and told here to go anyway i would see her sometime in the near future. so as she boarded the ferry with the small dog and cat i once again headed back to mulege.
in mulege, i totally unload the boat park it back at my neighbors and of course head for the jungle again to say hello again to my friends i havent seen in so long. i then realized i had given my wife her passport and fm card but she had no cash and no bank card. i called our realtor in san carlos to make arraingments to get her some cash, and made reservations for sunday on the ferry without the boat. so i put what little else i could in my truck along with the german sheperd and sunday was off to santa rosalia again. went through all the sh** again but this time i was granted passage to san carlos. the dog had to remain in the vehicle so i spent the day in the heat trying to keep her cool, not an easy job, but rather her than what my wife had to deal with. the deck hands are digging through an old bag they had pull out a piece of mono line about the diamiture of a pencil and a old crome lure. they had some string and were trying to tie what looked like some old chicken feathers on it. out the back it went and he tied it off to the back of the ferry. in about an hour the was splashing behind the boat and one of the guys is hand over handing the fish in. it was a skip jack but they seemed glad to get it and took it somewhere. looking at the lure, the skippy had torn the chicken feathers off and they proceed to look around to see what else they could use. cutting piece of yellow nylon rope and fraying the end they tied that on the crome head with the red eyes. but nothing else was caught that trip.
ok i get to san carlos with out the boat unload all the stuff and trying to figure out what to do with the boat.we decied to think on that and maybe enjoy life a little among all the problems we were having and decieded to get up early and take the dogs out for a walk on the beach. upon returning home i opened the door to a flood. the wife had started a load of laundry and the washer did not shut off when it filled. so now all the sh** in boxes is all wet, but at least i found out where the low spots were in the house. back to what to do about the boat i cant do it there so i book another trip on the ferry. i arrive early as instructed and just as i am pulling in to the staging area, whoosh my water pump lets go in a cloud of steam. the captain comes out and i tell him probably more likely to get it fixed in guaymas than santa rosalia and he then cancels my reservation. i cripple the truck back into town and see a chevy dealer (my truck is a dodge) and they are closing. one of the mechnics comes over to the steaming truck and says he can fix it at his house for cheap but would need some cash for parts in advance. i thought about that for a very short period of time thanked him any way filled a jug of water and crippled back to the house, as it was getting dark. the next day not wanting to push my luck (what luck ?) i call a tow truck and he arrives in about an hour. i wont go into the condition of the tow truck but i will just say not good. he manages to get me to the dodge dealer and the guy un hooks me from the would be tow truck i start the truck to move it out of the way. with water gushing out of the water pump the service manager wants to do a diagnostic test on it but after assuring him it was the water pump, and conferming it with one of the mechnics he passed that process. he checks but dont have water pump in stock but will call me later to let me know, i get the call, cant find one. a local tells me a friend is coming from the states and can bring one down, great get him the info on the truck,let the dealer know the part will be here in two days. cool.
while stuck waiting for the part i deceid to go by the customs office in guaymas for help, maybe ?telling them my situation they were a little shocked ? he asked me if i had the paperwork on the boat and trailer. taking those and $650 pesos and about 45 minutes i now have in my hand import papers in my name. wow, reason and logic how would i get use to this ? next in conversation with the termite guy (another story) i found out there was an autozone in guaymas so i stop by and low and behold they have a water pump for the truck (go figure) %$#*^%. when i told the dealership about it he told me they could not deal with autozone or napa had to be a dealer item.%$#@*^. so a long story shorter the truck is fixed i have the necessary papers for the boat, so another ferry trip i book, this was a nite trip so at least i got to sleep a little.
back in mulege i repack the truck with all the stuff i unloaded from the boat, go say good-bye again, though nobody really believes im ever leaving. spent some time at the jungle (a little too much) and then off to town with a couple of buddies for some mulege hotdogs. as i came to in the morning with my tounge stuck to the roof of my mouth and a bottle of warm water off to santa rosalia i go. arriving with the truck and the boat and all the paper work i stand in line to check in but there is only one gal in the office and its not the one i have been dealing with. when its my turn she tells me i have to wait for the other gal as she is the one handling my situation.i wait, and wait, and finally as evrything is getting close to boarding the ferry i ask can you call the gal i need to see its getting late ? calling the gal who has to issue my ticket i find out is still in bed asleep, #$%^&*#$. she rushes down i get my ticket and now out to see the customs lady as the military guys have already done there thing. she askes for my paperwork, checks the vin # on the truck for the fourth time and now on to the boat. she looks at the import and sees that it was done in guaymas, she askes did you drive the boat to guaymas ? as she checks the numbers on the boat and motor for the second time, just to make sure. i said no there was no problem over there. they didnt need to see the boat, only ownership. she shrugged her shoulders pointed toward the ferry and walked off.
the guys fished again off the back of the ferry, i went through my tackle box on the boat and gave them a few lures i never use, and they were happy. put one out and boom dorado, only a skippy was caught later but they were happy. the crew was great on the ferry as was the captain, more than helpful .glad to finally have all this sh** as memory and not the present, as i was about out of zanax. only in mexico.......................and i dont think a football is a very good present
ex mulege marv

elgatoloco - 7-29-2011 at 10:14 AM

Viva Mexico!

Hope you and the wife enjoy yourselves!

What doesn't kill you makes you stonger!

shari - 7-29-2011 at 10:18 AM

holy crap Marv....what a freakin bad a$$ move eh! well...Mulege will indeed miss you and we wish you happiness in your new casa....let us know here how it's going over there on the other side.

Roberto - 7-29-2011 at 10:45 AM

:lol:

I hope you're laughing about it now, as I know you weren't while it was happening. How do you like San Carlos so far?

bajajurel - 7-29-2011 at 10:52 AM

hey, what would life be if it wasn't interesting and full of challenges?

Oggie - 7-29-2011 at 10:53 AM

your buddies are still waiting at the Jungle for your reappearance.

BajaBlanca - 7-29-2011 at 11:03 AM

oh I can soooooooooooo relate toyour story !!

thanks so much for sharing it !!

remember when we went to the mainland last May ???? At the ferry office in la paz, they wanted the ORIGINAL (not the second cc sheet we had) of some car paper, we had to drive all the way BACK to la bocana from la paz (10 hours) and back to la paz the next day (10 hours) and in the end ...drum rolls please ..... she checked out the numbers against the computer anyways.

unbelievable

have fun in san carlos and even tho it is not Baja, it would be very interesting to hear about it and see some photos. why did you choose san carlos ???

bajaguy - 7-29-2011 at 11:16 AM

OK, so leaving Baja is as difficult as entering Baja........

sancho - 7-29-2011 at 11:18 AM

Thanks for the laughs, well at least it was fun to
read, not fun to live it. Reminds me of the time 'back
in the day', '87, took the then Cabo/Vallarta ferry, had
a small truck, the cost for the voyage to Vallarta
including the private cabin for 2 was $11 dollars,
this was when the Mex Govt owned and I asume
subsided the ferry's. The guy in Vallarta took a napkin
out of his pocket and wrote down my name
for a return crossing a few weeks later. When we went back
to board for the return trip to Cabo, there was my name
first on the list, Mexico hit or miss

Cypress - 7-29-2011 at 01:28 PM

Yea, I left Mulege. No problemo! It's a neat place! If the fishing was decent I'd still be there. Keep on moving on! It's fun!

David K - 7-29-2011 at 01:53 PM

Was that really worth it to not just driving around the gulf?

Thanks Marv for sharing the story, and just like Hook, no need to stop posting here because you moved to Sonora!

JZ - 7-29-2011 at 02:07 PM

Why wouldn't they let you go to San Carlos and import it there? That's where I got my import permit.

Btw, San Carlos is a million times nicer than Mulege. You made the right decision.

Bajafun777 - 7-29-2011 at 02:25 PM

"The Good, The Bad, The Ugly" happens in Mexico when dealing with paperwork and government employees,LOL. Oh wait, that crap happens in the U.S. too, OMG government B.S. no matter where you are! Had some issues with my Jeep breaking down in La Paz last year. However, the friendly people that I came across dealing with it made the hard time become a workable time. So many great people in Baja and Yes mainland too, as you will find out Marv. These "great friendly people" are the reason none of us totally swear off Baja or Mexico. Take Care & Travel Safe--"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

BornFisher - 7-29-2011 at 02:34 PM

Whew....... What a story!! Glad you finally made it (I was getting worried!).

BajaGringo - 7-29-2011 at 02:54 PM

Wow - what a story Marv. Thanks for sharing with us over the years and I truly wish you guys well there in San Carlos. What a nice marina they have there. Would love to hear from you again once you guys get settled...

Eli - 7-30-2011 at 05:37 AM

San Carlos evokes beautiful memories, I hope life is as good for you there as it was for me.

capt. mike - 7-30-2011 at 08:37 AM

hey Marv i heard some of that from Nick your former neighbor.

that is one helluva horror story. Am glad you have the perseverence to stand it. But you are a strong guy! best to Cathy and we'll be down to see your new place this fall when it cools.
We're pretty done with mulege too, so many have left. San Carlos has so much more, good move guys.

jakecard - 7-30-2011 at 09:27 AM

Capt. Mike, you say you are "pretty done with Mulege too" and that "so many have left." May I ask, why? What is going on in Mulege that is turning you and other folks off?

Jake

gnukid - 7-31-2011 at 12:30 AM

In Mexico, we do everything correctly, and we don't break the rules for anyone.

Thanks Marv!

Bob H - 7-31-2011 at 12:43 AM

Mulege Marv ..... what a great story. And, what an ordeal.

We hope to hear from you again after you move in to your new place.

But, Like Mulege Marv said, that was his last post and he stands firm at 646 posts!

well, just a musing really.

capt. mike - 7-31-2011 at 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jakecard
Capt. Mike, you say you are "pretty done with Mulege too" and that "so many have left." May I ask, why? What is going on in Mulege that is turning you and other folks off?

i have been going there recreationally, with the flying sams, etc for 30 years now. and for 8 years i maintained a palapa and trailer at Serenidad on a rent from Don.

I like the place but you can only do the same thing for so long. We have known a lot of people who retired there, lived there, just visited there etc and many don't anymore.
no big deal - but i think the hotel will go into major changes when Don passes which saddens me.
i am eager to explore new places if i keep flying. And that depends on many variables now.

mulegemichael - 7-31-2011 at 09:18 AM

well, marv is/was one of my dearest amigos in mulege and no one will miss him more than me....gotta feeling beachgirl and i will be visiting san carlos frequently ...

capt. mike - 8-1-2011 at 05:57 PM

mike - let's coordinate and i'll hop the "channel" and come get you and Roz.
only costs you gas and screw the ferry!

40 min each way x 2 for a rounder.

i hope to go see Marv and C. this fall. and more after that. i LOVE san carlos!! been going there since 1981 in planes from phx.

Marc - 8-3-2011 at 06:39 AM

So otherwise things went smooth?? I love San Carlos.

mulegemichael - 8-3-2011 at 09:33 AM

capt....roz and i are in!...just say the time...we'll be in mulege by early oct....m.