BajaNomad

Safety of trip to Bahia de los Angeles? (from the inbox)

BajaNomad - 1-27-2012 at 01:37 AM

From my email inbox... what's your perspective for this mom?:

------------------

Subj: Safety of trip to Villa Bahia in Baha California?
Date: Thursday, January 26, 2012 7:42 PM
From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: bajanomad

Hi,

My son's college sports team is planning to charter a bus and drive from the L.A. area down to the hotel Villa Bahia in Baja California during their spring vacation. http://www.villabahia.com/

I'm trying to ascertain whether the drive there and back itself is safe and then, of course, whether staying at that particular hotel would be safe.

I'm going to get into your website and see if I register and then "chat", but I'm afraid that I'm somewhat of an internet marooon when it comes to using forums like yours.

If you don't see my question, could you possibly post the question for me (without using my real name! :) ) or answer me directly?

Thanks very much,





[Edited on 1-27-2012 by BajaNomad]

woody with a view - 1-27-2012 at 04:47 AM

i'll be driving right past that turn off today. in fact, i'm leaving right now.

prayforsurf!

edit: crossing at 4:15am, birria in san vicente at the pemex, shrimp tacos at la pasadita in san quintin, hoping for lengua tacos at the store in catavina, first ballena when i hit the dirt! return tuesday, Neptune willing!

how will i ever survive?:?:



[Edited on 1-27-2012 by woody with a view]

woody with a view - 1-27-2012 at 05:06 AM

but honestly, the kids are adults aren't they? i'm sure they'll be fine.

sun, sand, tequila, maybe some fishing..... sounds like a blast!

SFandH - 1-27-2012 at 06:18 AM

My concern would be with the condition of the bus and whether or not the driver has ever driven in baja, past El Rosario. The road is where the danger lies.

DENNIS - 1-27-2012 at 06:34 AM

What type of sports team? The safety question might well be asked by the maidens of Mexico. :lol:

Jes kiddin'. They won't have safety problems if they behave themselves.

Santiago - 1-27-2012 at 06:56 AM

"Safety" has a lot of different meanings. I'm assuming that the trip from SoCal to BOLA will be done in one day. If you're worried about banditos you can forget that other than getting out of LA without incident. Having a driver that will operate the bus safely on Baja roads is the most important.
However, I'm more worried about what the team is expecting. These are young, mostly 'merican males going to Mexico on Spring break, right? If they are expecting a Girls Gone Wild scene in Bahia de los Angeles they are going to be sorely disappointed. The only wild women I've ever experienced in BOLA are on days when the hot flashes are particularly strong, if you get my drift. There are no fancy resorts full of spring breakers here, thank god.
If they are going there to learn something, hire a few boats for fishing and sight seeing, hiking the desert, then they will do just fine.

Villa Bahia

skippermike - 1-27-2012 at 07:12 AM

The answers to a safe drive down are all above.
Re Villa Bahia, it is a favorite place of ours - but then we have not been of college age for many years.
It is not a "jumping" spot, unless they make it so.
The young guys managing it recently are great.
Fishing, boating, beer drinking - all good there.
Hot girls flocking around - not unless they are on the team!
Hope they have fun!!

[Edited on 1-27-2012 by skippermike]

sd - 1-27-2012 at 07:35 AM

I think the kids would have a great time, go and enjoy!

David K - 1-27-2012 at 07:45 AM

No (Mexico) safety concerns if it was my kids... what a great experience. The Villa Bahia is not in town, but a couple miles north... Hope they enjoy the sea, and all the activities it brings!

larryC - 1-27-2012 at 08:15 AM

Mom,
As everyone else has already said, the drive down and back is the toughest part, and if they are chartering a bus , then I suspect they will be fine. Roger and the staff at Villa Bahia will go out of their way to make sure they have a good time. Tell them to take long showers (Roger loves that) and if they don't already, start getting used to having dogs around.
They'll be fine.
Larry

rts551 - 1-27-2012 at 08:33 AM

College sports team in Bahia de Los Angeles for Spring Break? On the outside of town no less. Hope someone has been there before and they know what they are doing.

CortezBlue - 1-27-2012 at 08:38 AM

Just make sure they have condoms in their pockets, then I would say they will be safe!:saint:

Alan - 1-27-2012 at 08:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
Just make sure they have condoms in their pockets, then I would say they will be safe!:saint:
Condoms needed in BoLA? I would say "slim chance" unless they decide to have a water balloon fight.

Lobsterman - 1-27-2012 at 08:56 AM

I would not allow my kids to go anywhere in mexico at this time. With the way
1. the authorities are shaking down gringos,
2. poor heathcare,
3. overcharging emergency care
4. the extreme penalty compared to the USA if someone has drugs or other offenses whether true or false. Either way you will have very little control and will need to pay a lot more there to get your kid back home.
5. a legal system where you are guilty until you can prove you are innocent at a large cost.
6. if jailed you will be thrown in a pen of wolves in very deplorable 3rd world prison system. Ever see the tv show "Locked Up Abroad", that's mexico's prison system. You will have to bribe many layers of people to get some money to your kid to pay of normal things in prison you need to survive like food, clothing, blankets and protection from the wolves. I know this from experience.
7. very narrow and dangerous roads from El Rosario to LA Bay especially at night and if the driver is inexperienced. Many places along the route the road is not wide enough for two large trucks, motorhomes or busses to pass each going in opposite directions other without one having to drive on the shoulder. Some shoulders are only iches wide before a deep ditch or mountain dropoff. I've been driving to LA Bay since the 80's towing an 8' boat in trailer and many times wondered how I misses that vehicle.

My motto with my kids is safety first. Why subject them to that environment. This isn't the Mexico from the 60-80s that you might have heard about. it's a new and every changing dangerous environment there now.

Therefore to answer your question, I would not subject my innocent, gullible kids to that hostile environment without going along myself and monitoring the situation. It's just not worth it to me to worry the whole time they are down there. it only takes one event to change your kid's life forever. If such an event happened in the USA at least you will have a better control of the situation with a legal system that you are innocent until you are proven guilty.

The comment that getting out of LA is more dangerous that mexico is just not true.

This is just my opinion from experience of going to mexico to fish and camp out often until a few years ago.


[Edited on 1-27-2012 by Lobsterman]

bajabass - 1-27-2012 at 08:58 AM

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: What, no local nightspots in BOLA???? Anthony's South???? :biggrin:

Ateo - 1-27-2012 at 09:00 AM

I completely, politely and respectfully disagree with Lobstermans post.

wilderone - 1-27-2012 at 09:09 AM

I would specifically inquire about the bus line and their experience driving in Mexico. And depending on where this college team is from, maybe most have never been to Mexico. Who is supervising? Have they been to Baja CA before? What do they expect to do once in Bahia de los Angeles? Is the purpose to just "hang out" and drink a lot? Do they have activities planned? BOLA is not a place to lounge around by the pool and order pina coladas - you really need an agenda, and a Plan B in case the wind blows for 3 days.

DENNIS - 1-27-2012 at 09:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabass
:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: What, no local nightspots in BOLA???? Anthony's South???? :biggrin:


Maybe just a quick stop on the way down at Anthony's North to calm the boys down for the rest of the trip. :light:

I guess we're still assuming these are young men.

elgatoloco - 1-27-2012 at 09:23 AM

Make sure they have sunscreen and a big hat, too. :dudette:

Villa Bahia

skippermike - 1-27-2012 at 09:53 AM

After my posting above, I just received the Jan Newsletter from Villa Bahia.
If you haven't seen it - https://sites.google.com/site/villabahianewsletter1/

Terry28 - 1-27-2012 at 10:43 AM

While The Bay of L.A. is definetly not a spring break destination it is a very cool place. The Villa Bahia is a great funky old place to stay. We were there last October and loved it. But funky is the key word....I strongly disagree with Lobsterman, as he states he stopped going a few years back. That being said, I do believe that the most dangerous part it the bus ride down and back... There is NO nightlife in town...at all...but that may be the best part!!

mtgoat666 - 1-27-2012 at 10:51 AM

college kids are old enough to set off on an adventure w/o parental approval.

let your kids fly free!

Villa Bahia

mcfez - 1-27-2012 at 11:00 AM

You couldn't had picked a better place in all of the Sea of Cortez!

I preach this place here at the BN.

They have:

Wireless
Library
Hip rooms
BBQ
Free kayaks
You can cook your meals on the BBQ to save $
The host are MOST fantastic. Made for kids :-)

They can arrange for you:
Small craft fishing/ tours
Outdoor bar area
Hiking guild
House cook (rooms with kitchens..you can hire a cook from town thru Villa Bahia)

Villa Bahia offers an endless list to make it your vacation to remember. I do know that you DO NEED RESERVATIONS!


The town is safe enough to let a 12 year wonder around.


Driving down there is a scarey thing. The highway is very narrow. Make sure that the driver is experienced with this sort of road.....if you are packing all the kids into one vehicle. Sleep and rest for the driver is a absolute must.

The REAL issue about sending the kids down there is this: they will demand not to return home :-)

https://sites.google.com/site/villabahianewsletter1/

Tell them that landscaper from www kissmygrass.com sent you.

[Edited on 1-27-2012 by mcfez]

24baja - 1-27-2012 at 12:13 PM

Dear Worried Mom,

We fell so in love with Bahia de Los Angeles that we bought a house there just up the road from the Villa Bahia. I would definately let my sons travel there. As others have said the bus trip may be the most gruelling as the roads can be narrow in areas. As long as they don't drive at night they should be fine. Also the persons going should remember to be respectful to the Mexican population. There are plenty of Americans who are in the area during spring breaks and several live in the houses just north of where you sons will be staying if there is any sort of problems I am sure anyone of the Americans would be happy to help. I know that Nancy, George or Carolina from the Museum in town are extremely helpful people as are Larry and Lois from Rancho Pacifico. You could not ask for a more beautiful place where it is a daily occurance to see dolphins, whales and whalesharks. The snorkling and fishing is fantastic. I hope that this helps you feel more comfortable and if you have more questions please feel free to U2U me. Connie

Paulina - 1-27-2012 at 10:36 PM

Oh no.

Your son is going to love the place, end up leasing a spot of his own and never, ever be at home for another school holiday again.

At least that's what happened to me after my first college trip to Bahia.

>*)))>{

Cyanide41 - 1-27-2012 at 11:27 PM

He's a big boy, let him go. He'll be fine. Just be sure to remind him not to drink to much and to stay out of trouble to which he will promptly reply "yeeees Mom" and then completely ignore anyways.

Mengano - 1-27-2012 at 11:43 PM

I'm not too sure you can charter a bus from Los Angeles to BOLA. You can get to Ensenada, but I think the cabotage rules will prevent an American company from going all the way to BOLA. It is a 2-day trip each way and they will need someplace to overnight going down and back up. Besides, they will have to pay for a room for the bus driver for a week and the bus will have to sit there for a week.

I think your son's plan needs more work.

mcfez - 1-28-2012 at 05:35 PM

I think you will find all you need here .......in at this site



DON HUMPHREY'S BAJA TRANSPORTATION


http://www.bajasundog.com/bajatrans.html?x=103&y=49


[Edited on 1-29-2012 by mcfez]

BajaNomad - 3-9-2013 at 08:36 PM

Saturday, March 9, 2013 6:19 PM


Doug,

Over a year ago I wrote to you and your forum asking about the safety of my son going down with his sports team to Bahia de Los Angeles. I wanted to thank everyone who responded a year ago (very belatedly): I read all of your posts carefully, particularly Lobsterman's, and sent them to my son. He didn't go on the trip last year, but students from his Ultimate Frisbee team(s) (male and female) did go, got there and back safely and said that they had a great time. I think that last year was the fourth year that they've gone.

Anyway, this year he is planning to go. I'm providing more specific information this time and asking for any advice or warnings based on the specific information. They're traveling from the L.A. area. I'm including the route (and maybe you'd be willing to modify it if you post my email, because the people in the forum will probably just need to know the highways).

A specific question is: what if my son is injured: Is there a hospital nearby? Is it well-equipped? How would I get down there quickly from the SF Bay area?

What if he or someone in his group is arrested (based on Lobsterman's warning) ? What would be the first thing that I would do...contact the American Consulate.....fly down...contact you guys.....?

Anything else my son should be aware of? He's vegetarian/vegan so he won't be fishing (or hunting :)).

Thanks so much and can I remain...?

Anonymous Mom


--

Where: Bahía de los Ángeles
What resort?: Hotel Villa Bahia
What bus company?: Five Star Tours
Exact day and time we leave: March/April...probably 4AM
Exact day and time we come back:March/April....probably around 5-7PM

Is it possible to use cell phones?: Not while we stay at the villa, although they mostly work during the bus ride. There is internet though, and I will be checking my e-mail at least once a day, so if she (your mom) e-mails me, I can get you and have you contact her.


What's the route?:
9. Merge onto I-5 S
Entering Mexico

0.3 mi
10. Continue onto Bursátil/Dist Caracol Zona del Río

0.6 mi
11. Take the exit toward Playas de Tijuana/Rosarito Cuota

433 ft

13. Continue straight onto Segunda Benito Juarez/Tijuana-Ensenada Road

3.2 mi
14. Take the ramp to Ensenada cuota/México 1

0.2 mi
15. Merge onto Segunda Benito Juarez/Tijuana-Ensenada Road

1.2 mi
16. Continue onto Mexico 1D

56.7 mi
17. Continue onto Rosarito - Ensenada/Carr Federal 1

4.7 mi
18. Slight right onto Teniente Azueta

2.2 mi
19. Continue onto Rosarito - Ensenada/Tecate - Ensenada/Carr Federal 1/México 3
Continue to follow Rosarito - Ensenada/Carr Federal 1

2.0 mi
20. Turn left onto Boulevard Estancia

0.5 mi
21. Turn right onto Ensenada - Lázaro Cárdenas/Carr Federal 1
Partial toll road

100 mi

25. Turn right toward Vicente Guerrero
0.6 mi
26. Turn right onto Vicente Guerrero
1.0 mi
27. Turn right onto Lázaro Cárdenas - Ensenada/Carr Federal 1

0.1 mi
28. Sharp left onto Ensenada - Lázaro Cárdenas/Carr Federal 1
Continue to follow Carr Federal 1

51.6 mi
29. Turn left onto Guerrero Negro - Lázaro Cárdenas/Lázaro Cárdenas - Guerrero Negro/Carr Federal 1
Continue to follow Lázaro Cárdenas - Guerrero Negro/Carr Federal 1

140 mi
30. Turn left onto México 12

33 ft
31. Take the 1st right onto Bahía de los Ángeles - Punta Prieta/Punta Prieta - Bahía de los Ángeles/México 12
Continue to follow Punta Prieta - Bahía de los Ángeles/México 12

40.6 mi
32. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit
0.6 mi
33. Turn right
95 ft


Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California
Mexico

woody with a view - 3-9-2013 at 09:06 PM

jeez, mom, what if the sun doesn't rise in the east tomorrow? what if another comet/asteroid/meteor wakes us up in the middle of the night?

let junior have some fun before he turns 30...:lol:

[Edited on 3-10-2013 by woody with a view]

DianaT - 3-9-2013 at 09:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
jeez, mom, what if the sun doesn't rise in the east tomorrow? what if another comet/asteroid/meteor wakes us up in the middle of the night?

let junior have some fun before he turns 30...:lol:

[Edited on 3-10-2013 by woody with a view]


:yes::yes::yes:

LET HIM GO --- kinda like, let my people go.

My oldest son used to lead a group of 8th graders from a private school in Los Angeles on a spring break trip down to Mulege and area. I forget the name, but that is when the Eco place was still there, before the owner left for Thailand.

It was a WONDERFUL experience with education in flora, fauna, and culture --- it included a fiesta with local students.

But ONE of the teachers who did not like the trip, convinced the board that there was NO academic value to the trip and it was dangerous. The students were not crazy about him and loved to do things like tie his shoes together, or put living creatures in his shoes and sleeping bag. But he won and the annual trip was cancelled.

WHAT a shame --- Please tell mom that he will learn so much, and if their is a problem, it can be dealt with.

Everyone should carry all contact information and go from there

A Vegan in Paradise

Mulegena - 3-9-2013 at 10:00 PM

The young man is going to be eating a LOT of beans, salsa and corn tortillas.
Luckily its winter and there's more vegetables available now than in summer.

No one will be hunting 'cause no one has guns in Mexico
but the ranchers who only use them to protect their livestock.

He may be out in the water but only to scuba dive, snorkel and swim with the whaleshark... oh, and probably encounter a huge pod of dolphin-- they've been plentiful and really friendly this year.

What he does need to be concerned about is having plenty of water to drink, sunscreen and solid shoes when he goes hiking.

He will be having a great time and making fabulous memories.

Welcome to Baja, young man.
Prepare to have a great spring break in some of the most pristine nature this old world holds.

Islandbuilder - 3-10-2013 at 09:35 AM

Dear Concerned mom,
I appreciate your worries for your son. The news media has done a wonderful job of terrifying us about the dangers of Mexico. And in a way, they're right, but in others they couldn't be more wrong.
As far as I'm concerned, a bus trip to BOLA is on a par with a bus trip to Disneyland as far as risk is concerned.
I think that his greatest risk will be on the bus, and in the sun. Follow Mulegena's advice and he'll be fine. He may want to bring whatever his fall back snack food might be, and plenty of sun screen, but otherwise, he won't be exposed to any greater risks than if he was driving to Tucson.

Hospitals: Ensenada for a fully equiped American style hospital. You might consider medical air evacuation insurance.

That's it.

It's gonna be ok.

DENNIS - 3-10-2013 at 10:06 AM

Mom wouldn't get this many responses if she said her son was going to Afghanistan.

Jeeeezo....let the young man grow up on his own.

Alm - 3-10-2013 at 11:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
I completely, politely and respectfully disagree with Lobstermans post.

About the only thing I would disagree in the Lobsterman's post is "innocent gullible kids". We are talking college sports team here, they probably have more experience in certain things than their parents.

Everything else - crappy Baja road, poor healthcare and Mexican judicial system - is true. It should be noted though, that "Mexico" is a big place, and Baja has its distinctions. Including poor healthcare, btw - it's basically non-existent in BOLA.

Personally, I would worry more about them being bored to death, coming to this town at this age. Don't get me wrong, I love BOLA. But I'm not a college age, for a very long time.

David K - 3-10-2013 at 11:38 AM

I am surprised nobody commented about the Villa Bahia being a 'resort hotel' as the mom thinks? Really, like in Cabo..?

How about a bed & breakfast, with what is it 5 or 6 rooms?

Last Nomad to go there and check it said here on Nomad that nobody was there, just a bunch of hungry dogs...???

EDIT:
From 'Jaybo' about 20 days ago:


"It was sad really - The dogs looked starved, injured and uncared for. It was a pretty spot on the beach but the smell and the terrible condition of the pets that were hanging around just totally turned us off. The Princess really was nice and we enjoyed the peace and quiet. Their animals were obviously well loved and well fed too. I heartily recommend it!

Costa Del Sol had a great breakfast this morning as well. very delicious!"

[Edited on 3-10-2013 by David K]

Geo_Skip - 3-10-2013 at 12:05 PM

Worried? Go With them. Common sense and some Spanish will help.

IF they behave with some reason, then the hardest part of the trip will be struggling for Re-Enrty in to the USA. Carry color copies of all documents including passports, drivers licenses...you name it.

Carry EXTRA COPIES... The Homeland Security and DEA are your biggest worries (Stop an hour south of the border and clean out ALL luggage, NO contraband or questionable imports) One idiot smuggling will turn any happy jaunt into a disaster!

David K - 3-10-2013 at 12:09 PM

I am not sure if it is still the case, but little Baja towns once had a big METH problem, called locally CRYSTAL (cree-stahl)... and if you look for bad things, you just may find them, even in a quaint fishing village like Bahia de los Angeles.

Terry28 - 3-10-2013 at 12:22 PM

David, The Villa Bahia is a great place, and well kept.. Don't bad mouth a place you have not been to. It is not a "resort" but a nice beach front hotel with nice owners and a perfect location. We are going back ( again) and I do recommend it to others...even you...

mtgoat666 - 3-10-2013 at 12:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I am not sure if it is still the case, but little Baja towns once had a big METH problem, called locally CRYSTAL (cree-stahl)... and if you look for bad things, you just may find them, even in a quaint fishing village like Bahia de los Angeles.


Cristal is probably not available in bahia de los angeles. it's a bit pricy

Ateo - 3-10-2013 at 12:43 PM

In defense of the Villa Bahia's dogs, they appeared to me like any dogs in Baja. Free to roam up and down the beach, playing with their master and other dogs, living it up on the Sea of Cortez. Millions (maybe billions) of humans on earth would dream to have that setup.

Maybe they hadn't been taken to PetSmart for a shower and haircut in a few years (or never) but who cares? They didn't look starved. They looked like dogs and they looked pretty darn happy.

woody with a view - 3-10-2013 at 12:55 PM

what he said^^^^

Skipjack Joe - 3-10-2013 at 01:16 PM

9 out of 10 posters had advised that your son go on that BOLA trip yet you chose the single poster and asked him not to go. Why?

The kids who did go had a great time. Your son missed out on that. Now you are asking the same question again. If he doesn't go it will be the same as before, regret.

You are overly concerned. We're not talking about Afghanistan here.

The dangers in baja are minor: Removing a cactus spine from your big toe. Stepping on a sting ray. Sunburned skin. The absence of first rate hospitals are more of an issue for seniors with known medical conditions, not a young man of 20.

micah202 - 3-10-2013 at 01:37 PM

''Over a year ago I wrote to you and your forum asking about the safety of my son going down with his sports team to Bahia de Los Angeles. I wanted to thank everyone who responded a year ago (very belatedly): I read all of your posts carefully, particularly Lobsterman's, and sent them to my son. He didn't go on the trip last year, but students from his Ultimate Frisbee team(s) (male and female) did go, got there and back safely and said that they had a great time. I think that last year was the fourth year that they've gone.

Anyway, this year he is planning to go. I'm providing more specific information this time and asking for any advice or warnings based on the specific information. They're traveling from the L.A. area. I'm including the route (and maybe you'd be willing to modify it if you post my email, because the people in the forum will probably just need to know the highways).

A specific question is: what if my son is injured: Is there a hospital nearby? Is it well-equipped? How would I get down there quickly from the SF Bay area?

What if he or someone in his group is arrested (based on Lobsterman's warning) ? What would be the first thing that I would do...contact the American Consulate.....fly down...contact you guys.....?

Anything else my son should be aware of? He's vegetarian/vegan so he won't be fishing (or hunting ).

Thanks so much and can I remain...?'' ......Anonymous Mom

............................................................................

....dear anonomom,,,,can you say when you actually plan to untie the apron-strings????????:O:O:O

.....if not,,will we still be getting these enquiries from you in 10-20-40 years??!!?

[Edited on 3-10-2013 by micah202]

David K - 3-10-2013 at 02:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Terry28
David, The Villa Bahia is a great place, and well kept.. Don't bad mouth a place you have not been to. It is not a "resort" but a nice beach front hotel with nice owners and a perfect location. We are going back ( again) and I do recommend it to others...even you...


I am sorry you didn't read my post better... I NEVER bad mouthed it... so don't shoot the messenger, as they say.

20 days ago, it was apparently abandoned as posted by Jaybo when they investigated several motels in Bahia.

I have (in the past) always recommended the Villa Bahia as a possible place... and mention how well Graham spoke of it when he stayed there some time ago.

David K - 3-10-2013 at 02:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I am not sure if it is still the case, but little Baja towns once had a big METH problem, called locally CRYSTAL (cree-stahl)... and if you look for bad things, you just may find them, even in a quaint fishing village like Bahia de los Angeles.


Cristal is probably not available in bahia de los angeles. it's a bit pricy



I was told by area residents (part and full timers) it was there... and the dealers were even pointed out to me at one of the New Years Eve fiestas that were held at Casa Diaz... as a point of interest.

[Edited on 3-10-2013 by David K]

tripledigitken - 3-10-2013 at 02:21 PM

DK,

Hint...u drink it not smoke it.

Ken

David K - 3-10-2013 at 02:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
DK,

Hint...u drink it not smoke it.

Ken



:lol::lol::lol:

Thanks Ken, I wondered why it didn't work for me...! :lol:

Alm - 3-10-2013 at 04:00 PM

There are underemployed people - or poor for some other reason including drugs - in any Baja town with population, say, 1,000 or more. BOLA is no exception. They do drugs, yes. And they steal what they can when they can - mostly this aspect of poverty is a problem rather than physical danger.

One reason for young guys not to go to BOLA - other than boredom - is that locals might not appreciate it. Expats here are predominantly pensioners. People go fishing at sunrise and go to bed at 10 pm. A couple dozen youngsters of drinking age, full of energy, will try keeping themselves busy - yelling, bullying each other, playing loud music. I'm afraid not everybody around will be in "Halloween mood", smiling and giving out candies. Though the sports team probably wouldn't even notice that.

chuckie - 3-10-2013 at 04:16 PM

Geez!

Sports Team

bajaguy - 3-10-2013 at 04:28 PM

What kind of team??????.......will they have the cheerleaders with them??????.....things might be getting better :lol:

[Edited on 3-10-2013 by bajaguy]

DENNIS - 3-10-2013 at 04:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alm
One reason for young guys not to go to BOLA - other than boredom - is that locals might not appreciate it.


I don't believe I read this. The locals might not appreciate it? That is really too bad. Perhaps they should take their complaints to the Sports Team. I doubt their "sport" is sewing.

David K - 3-10-2013 at 04:55 PM

Any visitors to Bahia de los Angeles would be a welcome thing... the place is nearly a ghost town the last few years, most of the time... Failed U.S. economy and bad press/ fears keeping the amount of vacationers way down.

mtgoat666 - 3-10-2013 at 09:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alm

One reason for young guys not to go to BOLA - other than boredom - is that locals might not appreciate it. Expats here are predominantly pensioners. People go fishing at sunrise and go to bed at 10 pm. A couple dozen youngsters of drinking age, full of energy, will try keeping themselves busy - yelling, bullying each other, playing loud music. I'm afraid not everybody around will be in "Halloween mood", smiling and giving out candies. Though the sports team probably wouldn't even notice that.


I hope I die before I get old.

P.s. have you seen the Zimmers rendition of My Generation?

[Edited on 3-11-2013 by mtgoat666]

BajaNomad - 3-10-2013 at 09:11 PM

Reply in my email inbox:

------------------------------------------
First, I really, truly appreciate every person who takes their time to respond to the general question I'm asking, which is "What will make this a safe trip?".

IslandBuilder: "Hospitals: Ensenada for a fully equipped American style hospital. You might consider medical air evacuation insurance."

ANY COMPANY YOU'D RECOMMEND FOR MEDICAL/EVACUATION INSURANCE? (AND ARE THOSE THE SAME THING OR TWO DIFFERENT THINGS?)

This is the kind of thing I'm looking for. Last year I read another thread in this forum about a man who was attacked and the problems with medical care, getting money and relatives there--even finding out where he was and what was wrong-- seemed overwhelming.

Geo_Skip: IF they behave with some reason, then the hardest part of the trip will be struggling for Re-Enrty in to the USA. Carry color copies of all documents including passports, drivers licenses...you name it. Carry EXTRA COPIES... The Homeland Security and DEA are your biggest worries (Stop an hour south of the border and clean out ALL luggage, NO contraband or questionable imports) One idiot smuggling will turn any happy jaunt into a disaster!

This sounds very, very important! Homeland Security is scary (the powers they give themselves). WHAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF A QUESTIONABLE IMPORT?

Micah202: I don't think that most parents ever cut the "apron-strings" or should. I'm middle-aged and I still get my (now elderly) parents' advice all the time. If you have loving, basically stable/sane parents (and of course, not everyone is lucky enough to), then no one will ever care as much about you as your parents, no one will ever sacrifice for you like your parents (their time, money, even lives). Also, learning to get advice from knowledgeable people (like asking people like you guys, Americans, who live and travel to Baja regularly what to look out for) is part of being smart, independent and successful.

Skipjack Joe: I did not say why he didn't go last year. He didn't go last year because his passport was out-of-date and he wanted to come home for Spring Break.

I also said that the decision has already been made for him to go this year. (I didn't say this in my post, but I am paying for the trip.)

In general, Ultimate Frisbee players are not hulking football players who've been drinking and punching people out since they were twelve years old (apologies to any non-violent football players--I'm sure that there are many out there). I know my son and I know that he has led a very protected life, that he's an intellectual kid who has not grown up with any threat to his safety (from criminals, from the police themselves, from his physical environment). He and his friends are also very smart, and in general, very much in control of themselves, so if they have good information about how to behave, they'll act on it. (He asked me to send him a philosophy book that a professor advised him to read; his girlfriend is going on the trip. He's not going to be going into town looking for crystal meth or a prostitute.) My son also studied Spanish at a pretty high level for four years.

ANY RECOMMENDATION FOR A GOOD, PRACTICAL DICTIONARY FOR EVERYDAY "MEXICAN" SPANISH (vs. the Spanish that is spoken in parts of Spain, for instance)?

I also grew-up in a protected environment but then chose to live in different major cities in the U.S. I have often lived in not-so-great neighborhoods and I had to be taught by the "locals" how to protect myself. For example, I remember walking down the street at night in Manhattan with a friend who had grown up in the Bronx: I was busy appreciating the beautiful night, but he was a nervous wreck and kept saying, "We've got to get out of here". I said, "But why? There's nobody on this street." He said, "No, it's when the street is empty that you're in danger....". I learned that when my apartment-mate was alone on a subway car and five men entered, seemingly not related to each other, and as the train crossed from Manhattan to Brooklyn, all got up and surrounded him, robbed him (by personally putting their hands into all of his pockets and removing everything) and then got off at the next stop. I remember taking the subway through the South Bronx and an incredibly kind older African-American woman calling me over, patting the seat next to her and telling me to "Sit down right here, Honey" and giving the teenagers who I had been standing in the middle of a "Don't you mess with me" look. She asked me where I was going and then told me to sit with her until we got to that stop... and in the meantime, to take off my (gold) ring and (gold) necklace and hide them and to keep both my hands on my purse. Probably the first day I was in NYC, I was sitting in a restaurant and a waiter swooped up behind me, grabbed my purse off my chair where I had hung it and unceremoniously dumped it in my lap saying, "If you want to keep that for more than five minutes, you'd better keep it in your lap".

These are lessons that kept me looking over my shoulder--and safe--through many years of living in and visiting big cities. (It took me many years to learn how to keep my purse and its contents from being stolen: I've walked into a crowd with a purse hanging from a long shoulder strap and walked out with the straps on my shoulders, but not the purse--it had been cut off; I've been walking down the stairs to the subway, watched as a woman collapsed in the turn-style ahead and realized after she picked herself up and left that the young man behind me had opened my purse and removed its contents while I had been watching the woman and worrying about her; I've been on a bus, reached into my bag-like purse that I had set on the floor and grabbed the hand of the guy next to me, who was rifling around it it!)

The thing is, I don't know what the dangers are in going down to Baja. I know that if he were in NYC or Chicago, I'd say, "Don't assume that because one street is safe for you, that one block over is also safe".

Mulegena: "no one has guns in Mexico"??? Isn't that like saying that because my suburban neighborhood is safe, there are no guns in the U.S.?

DavidK: "resort hotel" is not my description.

Thank you to all. Any more specific advice about ensuring a good and safe trip will be carefully read and would be appreciated. (I think my son is incredibly smart, tough yet compassionate and ethical, and able to take care of himself in any situation for which a person can be prepared, so general child-rearing advice would be less appreciated. :))

Thanks,
Anonymous Mom

Islandbuilder - 3-10-2013 at 09:58 PM

Here: http://www.medjet.com/anderson is a link to a company that sells medical evacuation insurance. A friend of ours had a ruptured bowel in San Carlos, and had medivac insurance. They took one look at her in the local clinic and told the husband he had to get her back to the US. They had DAN insurance (which is marketed toward traveling SCUBA divers), and had an excellent experience. And after several surgeries and a year of recovery she is doing very well.

There are several companies offering this sort of insurance, and I have no personal experience with any of them.

As I read your concerns, I am impressed with your maternal instincts as far as your son's safety are concerned, but I don't think that any of your nightmares will be realized on your son's trip to BOLA.

The drive is easy, all paved roads except at the very end. The lodging, based on other first hand reports is going to be fine, with the posted guest reports ranging from Great to funky. That's pretty typical here, and probably speaks more to our different expectations than it does the establishment itself.

I sense that you have a high level of anxiety about this, it bleeds across the screen, and I hope for your sake that you'll be able to relax while he's gone. He WILL BE FINE, subject to Woody's disasters of course, but so are we all regardless of where we are.

The stuff NOT TO HAVE in your luggage when heading back across the border is DRUGS! They aren't too worried about people not declaring their Velvet Elvis paintings of fake Cuban Cigars anymore. They're looking for VERY BAD THINGS. Stuff that the kids won't have a chance to aquire as long as they just visit BOLA and stay on the bus the rest of the time.

Still, I suggest that you make sure the kids know how stupid it is to bring any sort of contriband across the border in our post 9/11 world.

Again, no one can promise a trouble free trip. But your son will be fine.

One last thought, I don't know anything about cell coverage in BOLA, but I know that our verizon phone works only on the border, in Ensenada, La Paz and Cabo. The rest of the time its useless.

The only guarenteed way to have full time connectivity is via satellite phone. There are places that rent them for short term trips. More for you than your son, you might want to consider renting one for him.

I also suggest that you take a guided bus tour to Baja, or fly to one of the Gray Whale Lagoons on a charter (arranged by the whale watching outfitter). Dip your toe in, you might find you want to take a swim!

DianaT - 3-10-2013 at 10:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Islandbuilder
One last thought, I don't know anything about cell coverage in BOLA, but I know that our verizon phone works only on the border, in Ensenada, La Paz and Cabo. The rest of the time its useless.


There is no cell tower in Bahia de Los Angeles --- even a TelCel phone does not work. They are hoping to have one in the near future.

Reading the e-mails from mom makes me realize once again that I am so happy I did not know everything my sons were doing during teenage and college days --- including their forays into Baja as I would have worried myself sick.

It was different when I was young --- I knew what I was doing at all times and I was very safe at all times and no one needed to worry about me! :biggrin::biggrin:

And yes, sh*t can and does happen. It happened to some of my friends when I was young, and it happened to some of my son's friends, but what is the alternative? Don't venture out, keep everyone close to home, and maybe fall into a sink hole while sleeping.

Growing up is a dangerous thing.

micah202 - 3-10-2013 at 10:46 PM

from anonomom...........''Micah202: I don't think that most parents ever cut the "apron-strings" or should. I'm middle-aged and I still get my (now elderly) parents' advice all the time. If you have loving, basically stable/sane parents (and of course, not everyone is lucky enough to), then no one will ever care as much about you as your parents, no one will ever sacrifice for you like your parents (their time, money, even lives). Also, learning to get advice from knowledgeable people (like asking people like you guys, Americans, who live and travel to Baja regularly what to look out for) is part of being smart, independent and successful. ''

...anonomom,,,,,the very best advice I can share is that it is very worthwhile to allow yourself and your son to develop some very intangible skills,,,,such as intuition,,,trust,,,,2nd sense,,,whatever you wish to call it!

...........not everything,,in fact very little is black and white,,,,,just like as you say,,,,''just because one street is safe,does it mean the other is''???

......you need to cut your (probably) adult child some slack at some point,,,sure give them loving advice,,,but c'mon they're likely old enough that they should be developing a 'sense' of a situation for themselves,no?
.......they can ask that mixed-gender group that's been going for what,4 years now 'if it's safe',,or see just by the fact that they return alive each year,,and likely talk of the fun adventures they've had,,,,,,and develop their own approach to the situation---LET YOUR CHILD MATURE A BIT!!!!

motoged - 3-11-2013 at 12:53 AM

This thread is hilarious.....if this mom is "real", it is even more hilarious that her son asked for a philosophy text for something to read over spring break....maybe he will read it to prevent a premature event with the girlfriend accompanying him on this incredibly dangerous trip to BoLA....

Howcome no one has called out "troll" on this one? :lol::lol::lol::lol:

David K - 3-11-2013 at 01:22 AM

Hi 'mom', You did refer to Villa Bahia as a 'Hotel' more than once, so I just said I hope you didn't expect a "Resort" hotel for you son... it really isn't even a motel, but a room rental like a B&B. Jaybo checked it out last month and no humans were there, just a bunch of smelly dogs (words to that affect). Raquel & Larry's or Daggett's may be a better deal.. depends on how many rooms? These places all have web sites or are shown on Mia's http://www.bahiadelosangeles.info/accomodations.htm web site.

[Edited on 3-11-2013 by David K]

Martyman - 3-11-2013 at 02:06 PM

This is an ultimate frisbee sports team. He is a vegan.
Dear Anonymous mom;
Your kid will be drinking tequila and smoking weed. BOLA is not very exciting, I recommend they go to Juarez instead. That will be exciting.

BajaNomad - 3-11-2013 at 02:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
...if this mom is "real"...

How come no one has called out "troll" on this one?


Real mom of two boys. I have verified this independently (read: Google Search).

DavidE - 3-11-2013 at 03:46 PM

I'll take a wild stab and offer that it may be ten thousand times as important safety wise that the vehicle used be safety inspected and the driver be cautioned to not try to drive if he is somehow impaired or tired. Passengers should be told to allow the driver to not be distracted by noise or horseplay.

I've lived in towns in the USA that were hours and hours away from the nearest hospital - so the thing about insisting medical care be immediately available is a little over the top wouldn't you say. Having a couple of doctors nearby should suffice.

If you want utter safety, move to Japan. It has a crime rate some thousands of times lower than the USA. How many SMALL towns in the USA would it be safe to leave the keys in the ignition overnight?

Mexico has crooked cops. but few truly stupid crooked cops. What are they going to do, harass a busload of youngsters in the hope they will become sudden "hundredaires"?

Anyone who labels Mexico "Too dangerous to travel or live in" will have a few million American ex-pats and tourists replying "What? Are You Nuts?"

Like what has been said above, sunburn, incidental alcohol poisoning, some volleyball sprains, and maybe enchilado (flaming chili mouth) are going to end up on the final "negative tally sheet"

Young folks are different than we elders; they don't jump and down with joy at the thought of shuffleboard and bingo as being a highlight of a vacation. Those kids want for some exotic excitement.

Do your kid a favor and instead of worrying, go out and buy him some top quality sunscreen, good sunglasses, 100% DEET for sand fleas, a huge beach towel, and spanish phrase book.

motoged - 3-11-2013 at 04:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
...if this mom is "real"...

How come no one has called out "troll" on this one?


Real mom of two boys. I have verified this independently (read: Google Search).


BN,
Thanks for that....I guess sometimes people just don't make this stuff up.... :biggrin:

Villa Bahia

mcfez - 3-11-2013 at 04:21 PM

You are so right David........A kick back place where you dont wear shoes.....enjoy the GREAT folks that stay there. This place is by no means a smelly dump. Perhaps if DavidK stayed there ...he wouldn't do a write up with secondhand information that was obviously defective.

I seen more dog poop at Newport Beach than here. At a lost about the dog poop statement made earlier.

The town always welcomes all......even those brats that are in their teenage years.

By the way...in his own words here at the BN.....Lobsterman has not been in Baja for the last five years. His words...... not mine. I dont see how he could be dishing out advice........oh......that's right....he gets his info from Fulano.




Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Hi 'mom', You did refer to Villa Bahia as a 'Hotel' more than once, so I just said I hope you didn't expect a "Resort" hotel for you son... it really isn't even a motel, but a room rental like a B&B. Jaybo checked it out last month and no humans were there, just a bunch of smelly dogs (words to that affect). Raquel & Larry's or Daggett's may be a better deal.. depends on how many rooms? These places all have web sites or are shown on Mia's http://www.bahiadelosangeles.info/accomodations.htm web site.

[Edited on 3-11-2013 by David K]








[Edited on 3-12-2013 by mcfez]

DENNIS - 3-11-2013 at 05:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Mexico has crooked cops.


It's the system that's crooked. When men spend their time on a baseball diamond, all there is to do is play baseball. :light:

Is it time for a hijack?

mtgoat666 - 3-11-2013 at 09:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Hi 'mom', You did refer to Villa Bahia as a 'Hotel' more than once, so I just said I hope you didn't expect a "Resort" hotel for you son... it really isn't even a motel, but a room rental like a B&B. Jaybo checked it out last month and no humans were there, just a bunch of smelly dogs (words to that affect). Raquel & Larry's or Daggett's may be a better deal.. depends on how many rooms? These places all have web sites or are shown on Mia's http://www.bahiadelosangeles.info/accomodations.htm web site.

[Edited on 3-11-2013 by David K]


They are hard drinking ultimate frisbee players, they can handle a budget hotel like villa Bahia or Baja cactus ;D

P.s. dk, why do you repeat unverified 3rd hand info that trashes a hard working small business?

Skipjack Joe - 3-11-2013 at 11:07 PM

Dear anonymous.

Do not send your son to baja. It's extremely dangerous. The following are all events that have occured in the last 10 years:

1. A windsurfer was decapitated out on the water by La Ventana.

2. A snorkeler dove off San Marcos Island by Santa Rosalia and never came up.

3. An explorer hiked to the mission of Santa Maria, ran out of water, and perished in the hot sun.

4. A group of fishermen sank south of Puertecitos in a violent storm and had to swim for shore. Seven never made it back.

5. A couple were held up for money near Catavina and shot, one of whom died on the way to a hospital up north.

6. Another couple of young people were found slashed in their sleeping bags near El Rosario.

Pretty scary stuff, eh? Yet I can find this sort of thing every day on our local evening news and still get up, calmly drink a cup of hot coffee, and go to work the next morning. It's like background noise to most people. But to others it's terrifying. Don't let fear rule your life.

Like I said earlier. What to worry about? A cactus spine in your big toe.

[Edited on 3-12-2013 by Skipjack Joe]

A cactus spine in your big toe?

mcfez - 3-12-2013 at 10:21 AM

Oh gosh! I will never go to Baja :-)

DavidE - 3-12-2013 at 02:41 PM

Unless you get a cholla pronged onto your thingee. They don't call them "s que brinco" for nothing.

Jaybo - 3-12-2013 at 04:44 PM

OK, I gotta chime in here. It was me that was there on my trip down. After all the crap I got about planning everything out so much I didn't plan my BOLA stop. When we pulled into the Villa Bahia there was no one around. We rang the bell several times, hence the "abandoned" comment. The smell as we walked into the courtyard was overpowering with urine smell. Bad smells don't bother me, I work in a landfill and compost facility, grew up with cows and such, so I am not a city slicker. The dogs while friendly did not look like any other dogs we saw in our 24 days in Baja. One had an obvious injury to his leg and was limping badly. Another had a badly infected festering looking eye.

Perhaps they were neighbor's dogs, I don't know. they were incredibly skinny, again more so than any others we saw in our time there. We looked around checked to see if anyone was in the rooms etc and no one came out even after ringing the bell yet again. My wife got a bad vibe about it, and I could not blame her.

I'm not trying to ruin their business, I am pointing out that there are serious issues they need to address. Fine, it's Mexico, they don't care for their animals there like we do, but when they look emaciated, injured, infected and unloved it is going to have an effect on how their business looks.

I never mentioned the dog poop, which I know is going to happen, and that's fine, but when you see it in the areas right next to where you walk off the paths that is all dried out it is obvious it doesn't get cleaned up often. Add in the strong urine smell that hits you the second you walk into their lobby area so to speak, that means no one cares much about cleaning. You can have a "rustic" place, but you need to at least clean it especially if you expect people to want to stay there.

So there ya go, That's my honest first hand opinion of what I saw in the 15-20 minutes I was there looking for a room to rent. I have no bone to pick with teh owners, I'm fine with the "Baja standards" that come with the territory, but that's just the plain and simple observations I had. Sorry if you don't like it, It looked to be a good location, beautiful view and all that, but the owners have some work to do to get my business. YMMV.

..Jay

mtgoat666 - 3-12-2013 at 04:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Like I said earlier. What to worry about? A cactus spine in your big toe.



gringos locos wandering around the desert in flip flops.

for protection from desert thorns and critters, make sure your son wears sensible shoes like these:

David K - 3-12-2013 at 06:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jaybo
OK, I gotta chime in here. It was me that was there on my trip down. After all the crap I got about planning everything out so much I didn't plan my BOLA stop. When we pulled into the Villa Bahia there was no one around. We rang the bell several times, hence the "abandoned" comment. The smell as we walked into the courtyard was overpowering with urine smell. Bad smells don't bother me, I work in a landfill and compost facility, grew up with cows and such, so I am not a city slicker. The dogs while friendly did not look like any other dogs we saw in our 24 days in Baja. One had an obvious injury to his leg and was limping badly. Another had a badly infected festering looking eye.

Perhaps they were neighbor's dogs, I don't know. they were incredibly skinny, again more so than any others we saw in our time there. We looked around checked to see if anyone was in the rooms etc and no one came out even after ringing the bell yet again. My wife got a bad vibe about it, and I could not blame her.

I'm not trying to ruin their business, I am pointing out that there are serious issues they need to address. Fine, it's Mexico, they don't care for their animals there like we do, but when they look emaciated, injured, infected and unloved it is going to have an effect on how their business looks.

I never mentioned the dog poop, which I know is going to happen, and that's fine, but when you see it in the areas right next to where you walk off the paths that is all dried out it is obvious it doesn't get cleaned up often. Add in the strong urine smell that hits you the second you walk into their lobby area so to speak, that means no one cares much about cleaning. You can have a "rustic" place, but you need to at least clean it especially if you expect people to want to stay there.

So there ya go, That's my honest first hand opinion of what I saw in the 15-20 minutes I was there looking for a room to rent. I have no bone to pick with teh owners, I'm fine with the "Baja standards" that come with the territory, but that's just the plain and simple observations I had. Sorry if you don't like it, It looked to be a good location, beautiful view and all that, but the owners have some work to do to get my business. YMMV.

..Jay


Thank you very much Jay, I understood your earlier report well (and glad I relayed it accurately), and I appreciate your honesty... that's the best review so it doesn't fool others. Maybe the owners were away for a few days, and the caretaker they paid didn't do his job??? None-the-less, you reported what you saw, and that is fantastic for you to share it with us!

DianaT - 3-12-2013 at 07:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe


Like I said earlier. What to worry about? A cactus spine in your big toe.



What like this?



Tell the young man to not wear birkenstocks while walking around the cactus.

Mulegena - 3-12-2013 at 07:43 PM

Goat-- just added your sensible Baja footwear picture to my "Crazy Baja" album, thanks.
Husband is so enchanted with them, "Great for cold weather!" he sez...
I didn't have the heart to tell him they're high-heels.

and yeah, the cactus spines are TRULY nasty buggers, and if you come to Baja and ever get up the courage to step out of your car you will very likely have a surprising unpleasant encounter or three.

Just gotta suck it up and pull it off and get on with it...
that'd be Goat's shoes and the mean-a@@ cactus.

[Edited on 3-13-2013 by Mulegena]

Islandbuilder - 3-12-2013 at 08:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe


Like I said earlier. What to worry about? A cactus spine in your big toe.



What like this?



Tell the young man to not wear birkenstocks while walking around the cactus.


OUCH! That hurt me all the way in Washington!

David K - 3-12-2013 at 09:39 PM

Speaking of cholla, I bet DavidE remembers the time Neal Johns pulled one out of him!?






Haven't all of us desert rats picked up some 'jumping cactus' one time or another? Amo Pescar had his 'attack' filmed by El Camote at the Matomi Canyon dropoff, in 2001.








[Edited on 3-13-2013 by David K]

mtgoat666 - 3-12-2013 at 10:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT






Nice toe nails :barf:

Can probably find somewhere in Baja that does pedicures! :light::light:

DianaT - 3-12-2013 at 10:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666[/i

Nice toe nails :barf:

Can probably find somewhere in Baja that does pedicures! :light::light:


Dang, those toe nails of mine were ugly, and they still are --- muy feo.

And yes one can probably find somewhere in Baja that does pedicures if it is a priorty in one's superficial life.



[Edited on 3-13-2013 by DianaT]

DENNIS - 3-13-2013 at 09:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
However, if he glances downward and can visualize whether he is a man or not and, if he is, then he should go, have fun, tell her to chill out and he'll tell her all about it when he gets back.


I think he should go, but be required to stop at Anthony's and earn his "Baja Big Boy" card.
That'll give him an adventure to take home to mama. :lol:



.


[Edited on 3-13-2013 by DENNIS]

paranewbi - 3-13-2013 at 10:08 AM

Really been holding back on responding to this....
To many years in Mex to give a standard up or down vote.

At 15 I was hitchhiking up and down the California coast with backpack and my hand made surfboard, loaf of bread and peanut butter, gone for a week at a time. Sometimes mis a little school, usually never took the time to tell my mom although she would always ask where I was when I got back.

On her death bed she pulled me close to her and told me I was her best child and she always trusted me, always. The best part was ludicrous as any one was better to my mom than my brothers! The trust part is what I treasured most and finally understood why she never freaked out in my quest to surf. Even when I would go to the Reagen wars in Central and surf during the 70's.

What it comes down to Mom...do YOU trust your son? No matter where he is, anything can happen at anytime with anyone he is with or not. Do you trusts him to have good judgment? Don't look at him, look at yourself, if you need to look at him...you dont trust him.

micah202 - 3-13-2013 at 10:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by paranewbi
Really been holding back on responding to this....
To many years in Mex to give a standard up or down vote.

At 15 I was hitchhiking up and down the California coast with backpack and my hand made surfboard, loaf of bread and peanut butter, gone for a week at a time. Sometimes mis a little school, usually never took the time to tell my mom although she would always ask where I was when I got back.

On her death bed she pulled me close to her and told me I was her best child and she always trusted me, always. The best part was ludicrous as any one was better to my mom than my brothers! The trust part is what I treasured most and finally understood why she never freaked out in my quest to surf. Even when I would go to the Reagen wars in Central and surf during the 70's.

What it comes down to Mom...do YOU trust your son? No matter where he is, anything can happen at anytime with anyone he is with or not. Do you trusts him to have good judgment? Don't look at him, look at yourself, if you need to look at him...you dont trust him.


.......VERY well said!!!!!

DavidE - 3-13-2013 at 02:06 PM

Down the Baja peninsula at age 17, or the Monterey Pops Festival at age 20? The MPF was by far the most hazardous. Friends told me I had a great time.

David K - 3-13-2013 at 02:21 PM

Been going to Baja since I was 7... When I turned 16 and got a drivers license, I made my first trip without my parents... Been going ever since whenever I can... Close to 50 years since that first trip (to Gonzaga Bay, 1965)...

NEVER had been the victim of a crime by 'banditos' or drug dealers or anyone except maybe a Pemex station or two with rigged pumps!

I get a warm and happy feeling anytime we cross the border going south... and I feel a bit sad, and mentally plan the next trip, when I am in line to come back north across the border.

If I could live in Baja, I would... and am hoping I can be there more, perhaps to help travelers, provide tours, operate a campground with a B&B, who knows?

If Mexico (or just Baja) was a scary, evil place, then explain how my feelings are what they are...??? I do feel a 'soul connection' when I go to missions or walk on the Camino Real... specially at Mission Santa Maria. That may explain why I have gone there 4 times over a road that is such a challenge and each time has caused body damage?

VIVA BAJA!

DENNIS - 3-13-2013 at 02:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I do feel a 'soul connection' when I go to missions or walk on the Camino Real...


Walking here and there? I think that's a sole connection. :biggrin:

David K - 3-13-2013 at 02:38 PM

Right! :light:

DENNIS - 3-13-2013 at 03:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
What to do!?!?!:O


Learn.

David K - 3-13-2013 at 03:49 PM

Frank, you chose Mexico! The lesser of two evils perhaps? Heaven to me!!

DavidE - 3-13-2013 at 04:28 PM

Or lock yourself in a giant vault, safe from skin cancer, eat vegan, read heath books, spend hours on an exercise machine, and die of boredom.

Skipjack Joe - 3-13-2013 at 11:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Speaking of cholla, I bet DavidE remembers the time Neal Johns pulled one out of him!?







I had one go through the jeans into the knee cap. Can't remember the circumstances any more.

I promptly pulled it out and figured that was the end of it. Wrong. That area itched for over 5 years! There must've been something nasty in those spines. After accepting that it was going to remain for life the itching slowly went away.

Stepping on a stingray was much worse, though.

Oh, and ramming the treble hook through the thumb was no fun either. They asked if I wanted my picture taken with the hook in me. "Go on. Take it out before I throw up".:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

David K - 3-14-2013 at 10:17 AM

Sound terrible Igor!

I remember by dad coming home from a sportfishing (tuna?) trip in the early 60's and had a hook through his nose (from a wild cast of another fisherman)!

I once fell on a barrel cactus when I was maybe 11, that punctured up my leg. The toxin causes pain and itching... the doctor told my mom to apply steaming hot wet cloth to draw out the toxins... Just like with a stingray.

Neal Johns - 3-14-2013 at 12:07 PM

Who is that old guy removing the cholla?:lol::lol::lol:

Give moms a break!!

EnsenadaDr - 3-14-2013 at 12:11 PM

My son is 25 and lives in Australia. We stay connected on Skype, and he is online 24 hours a day due to his work. We chat every few days and if I don't hear from him I worry...I am independent but I do worry about my son, especially being so far away. If you don't have kids, you will never know the feeling...but they are still our little boys and girls.
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
From my email inbox... what's your perspective for this mom?:

------------------

Subj: Safety of trip to Villa Bahia in Baha California?
Date: Thursday, January 26, 2012 7:42 PM
From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: bajanomad

Hi,

My son's college sports team is planning to charter a bus and drive from the L.A. area down to the hotel Villa Bahia in Baja California during their spring vacation. http://www.villabahia.com/

I'm trying to ascertain whether the drive there and back itself is safe and then, of course, whether staying at that particular hotel would be safe.

I'm going to get into your website and see if I register and then "chat", but I'm afraid that I'm somewhat of an internet marooon when it comes to using forums like yours.

If you don't see my question, could you possibly post the question for me (without using my real name! :) ) or answer me directly?

Thanks very much,





[Edited on 1-27-2012 by BajaNomad]

freediverbrian - 3-14-2013 at 08:34 PM

When I was 14 in 1972 I was hitching plane rides to loreto staying with locals for the summer . Before the road was finished, no one in town , no phones, would give people going Thur town my parents phone number ask them to call when they got to the states and tell my mom and dad I was fine. Would I let my son do the same thing today , NO, different time , sad but true

Retireded - 3-14-2013 at 09:51 PM

We just got back to El Sauzal last night from 3 nights camped in a palapa on the beach just about a mile north of BOLA. The most dangerous thing I saw while there was the sun. I left my shirt off for a few hours of fishing and am now redder than a sunburned indian.

tripledigitken - 3-14-2013 at 10:11 PM

No surprize that among most Nomads the mother's worry will fall on deaf ears.

The State Dept still has a warning for travel in Mexico, and for many that will be enough to take a pass. I can understand their point of view.

I do have to wonder if that warning will ever go away....................


http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html