BajaNomad - Loreto Seeking "Pueblo Mágico" Status

Loreto Seeking "Pueblo Mágico" Status

Bajatripper - 1-27-2012 at 11:46 PM

(This is from an article in El Tribunal from Jan. 16, 2012)

The state and national governments are pulling out all the stops to get Loreto designated as a Pueblo Mágico (Magic Town) by the Secretaría de Turismo. The federal government, though FONATUR (its national agency for the promotion of tourism) is gearing up to spend 163 million pesos in rehabilitating some of tourist infrastructure in the city.

140 million pesos have been earmarked for "obras" (projects) and 22 million for maintenance of existing infrastructure.

The government established the "Pueblo Mágico" concept as part of their program to promote tourism throughout Mexico. Such places are suppose to be "typical Mexican towns," according to their website. These towns--of which there are only 35 in all of Mexico, including our own Todos Santos--are suppose to be places with "symbolic attributes, legends, history, transcendental events, and cotidianidad (daily routines)" that might be of interest to tourists.

I think I've read on the Nomad board that the Malecon in Loreto is presently torn up. You Loretanos will be happy to hear that this inconvenience on your waterfront will be done in two stages, for twice the fun.

The state governor is pressuring FONATUR to also renovate the city's (waste?) water treatment facility this calendar year, a project which has apparently been pending for some time.

It would be nice, from my perspective, if this was an admission by the federal government that Loreto shouldn't be a massive tourist pole, like Los Cabos. That was the original plan, from the 1980s, but it never took off. Given its history as the "Mother Mission of the Californias," I think the town would deserve such a designation and do the term proud.

DENNIS - 1-28-2012 at 09:06 AM

I want to hear John McEnroe's opinion.

bajario - 1-28-2012 at 09:22 AM

"I want to hear John McEnroe's opinion. "

That's hilarious!

I say just leave things as is. If prices keep falling I may be able to pick something up when I retire. If I retire. Or while I'm still working.

The infrastrucutre itself does need improvement.

People love Loreto for the way it is now, not what it could be. But change is inevitable. Only the speed and efficiency of change is what remains to be determined.

vandenberg - 1-28-2012 at 11:22 AM

Well, besides the Malecon being torn up (we're used to that) they're also redoing the Highway entrance to town. Lots of folks working on this and I was wondering where the funds were coming from, since city workers have problems getting paid on time. It will be an improvement and I hope they don't try to spare the cement in that concrete, so they have to redo it within 5 years. :biggrin:

[Edited on 1-28-2012 by vandenberg]

Loreto

captkw - 1-28-2012 at 11:31 AM

Hola,that section of road (hwy) has got to be the most reworked section of road in the world,,since 1979 I away's drive by wondering WTF is it gonna be this season,,LOL K&T :lol:

DavidE - 1-28-2012 at 12:02 PM

Forgive me for asking but besides the church, what does Loreto offer that 50,000 other Mexican towns don't?

On the mainland, Pueblo Majico sites like Taxco and Patzcuaro blow first time visitors away with panoramas of beauty, culture, and history.

Having just spent six months in Todos Santos, I cannot imagine why it ranks above Ocozocuautla, Simojovel, Batopilas, or thousands more similar delights in Mexico.

I feel that Baja California should be celebrated for what it is and what it represents in the grand scheme of Mexico. Sta Rosalia to me is more worthy of a Pueblo Majico title than many other Baja California towns. SJdC is another.

But I guess the promotional value of the moniker outweighs the need for rational planning.

grizzlyfsh95 - 1-28-2012 at 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
Forgive me for asking but besides the church, what does Loreto offer that 50,000 other Mexican towns don't?

On the mainland, Pueblo Majico sites like Taxco and Patzcuaro blow first time visitors away with panoramas of beauty, culture, and history.

Having just spent six months in Todos Santos, I cannot imagine why it ranks above Ocozocuautla, Simojovel, Batopilas, or thousands more similar delights in Mexico.

I vote for this guys opinion. Loreto is.....Loreto.
I feel that Baja California should be celebrated for what it is and what it represents in the grand scheme of Mexico. Sta Rosalia to me is more worthy of a Pueblo Majico title than many other Baja California towns. SJdC is another.

But I guess the promotional value of the moniker outweighs the need for rational planning.

vandenberg - 1-28-2012 at 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
Forgive me for asking but besides the church, what does Loreto offer that 50,000 other Mexican towns don't?

Augie's ??? :saint:

LaTijereta - 1-28-2012 at 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
Forgive me for asking but besides the church, what does Loreto offer that 50,000 other Mexican towns don't?

Augie's ??? :saint:

rhintransit - 1-28-2012 at 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
Forgive me for asking but besides the church, what does Loreto offer that 50,000 other Mexican towns don't?

On the mainland, Pueblo Majico sites like Taxco and Patzcuaro blow first time visitors away with panoramas of beauty, culture, and history.

Having just spent six months in Todos Santos, I cannot imagine why it ranks above Ocozocuautla, Simojovel, Batopilas, or thousands more similar delights in Mexico.

I feel that Baja California should be celebrated for what it is and what it represents in the grand scheme of Mexico. Sta Rosalia to me is more worthy of a Pueblo Majico title than many other Baja California towns. SJdC is another.

But I guess the promotional value of the moniker outweighs the need for rational planning.

I live here (Loreto) and rational planning has never been part of the city's heritage.

Skeet/Loreto - 1-28-2012 at 03:56 PM

Loreto! Loreto ! Loreto!

Oh! How I miss you!
Loreto with the Flying Sportsman started by Ed Tabor who converted a B-25 Bombay to carry Fisherman to Loreto.

Pangeros surrounding the Pangas on the Beach awaiting American Fisherman-$20 a Day and you keep all the Fish.

About 2500 People total Population- Dancing Fiesta on Sundays in the Plaza/ Chapranos watching their Young Girls Growing up. No Nudity, No Shorts, No TV.

No Road open to the North-Building to the South.

The Stolen Bell from the Mission recovered.

No Americans /Canadians coming down the Road with all of their Expections.

Oh! how I miss it!
It was at one time the Greatest Place in the World for Me. Learning the People, the Lanuage, the Customs of a very small Village in Mexico that just Happened to be the Home of the Very First Calif Missions.

Enjoying being a Friend and Masonic Brother of Tio Don O'Neil, setting on his Porch watching the Fishing Jumping. What a Dream it was to Live and enjoy.
Loreto!!

chippy - 1-28-2012 at 04:52 PM

So skeet why did you move back to the azzhole of the universe?? Stupid is as stupid does. BTW I think loreto is just about as lame as taxxes.

BajaBlanca - 1-28-2012 at 05:07 PM

I, for one, love Loreto and if Mulege and sj cabo want touristic pueblo magic status, they should go for it too.

Loreto has a special "je ne sais quois"...a feeling....an excitement...a romantic air ... who knows what to call it !!

ncampion - 1-28-2012 at 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
Forgive me for asking but besides the church, what does Loreto offer that 50,000 other Mexican towns don't?

A jet airport!!!!

Bajatripper - 1-28-2012 at 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
Forgive me for asking but besides the church, what does Loreto offer that 50,000 other Mexican towns don't?

On the mainland, Pueblo Majico sites like Taxco and Patzcuaro blow first time visitors away with panoramas of beauty, culture, and history.

Having just spent six months in Todos Santos, I cannot imagine why it ranks above Ocozocuautla, Simojovel, Batopilas, or thousands more similar delights in Mexico.

I feel that Baja California should be celebrated for what it is and what it represents in the grand scheme of Mexico. Sta Rosalia to me is more worthy of a Pueblo Majico title than many other Baja California towns. SJdC is another.

But I guess the promotional value of the moniker outweighs the need for rational planning.

Very good points, indeed. I guess I'm seeing it only on its historic merit, which obviously means that I care too much about Baja history.

You are right in your comments of Loreto and those places on the mainland, nothing, really, to compare. Even the date of the founding of Loreto isn't particularly impressive by mainland standards.

I'm also sure you are correct in your reason for the designation.

Skeet/Loreto - 1-29-2012 at 08:23 AM

Chippy:
Moved out of Loreto because of Azzholes like you from the States and Canada moved in bringing with them all of the bullshet lame Personalities from up North.
DOPE, OVER Indulgance, NUDITY,TV. COMPUTERS,SEX IN YOUR FACE.
and a good Lack of DEcent Morals.

Santiago - 1-29-2012 at 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
....SEX IN YOUR FACE.....

As Skeeterisms go, this is a good one. Ranks right up there with 'nekkid ona motorcycle'.

DENNIS - 1-29-2012 at 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
....SEX IN YOUR FACE.....

As Skeeterisms go, this is a good one. Ranks right up there with 'nekkid ona motorcycle'.

And...he passed on this witticism with what else? A computer.

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
COMPUTERS

wilderone - 1-29-2012 at 10:05 AM

"I feel that Baja California should be celebrated for what it is and what it represents in the grand scheme of Mexico"
Me too, but a waste plant would be nice, as well as repaired sidewalks, cleaned up vacant lots, a couple extra policia on burglary duty, maybe a small loan program so entreprenours could buy new equipment. Is the hospital fully staffed now?

Skeet/Loreto - 1-29-2012 at 10:52 AM

Wildone: Some Folks like to have all of those "make you feel secure things around them".
I personally liked it when Bread was shipped over from Guyamus, no Cottage Cheese, no Police of any kind needed.
I remember the First Day Loreto had a police Car. Rafael went around Town all day with the Siren Blowing., Tony Collins was the Major. The New President Hotel was being built{Now know as La Pinta} Mission Hotel was going and Blowing with some escellent Food. There was no Malacon , no Paved streets and the Bricks were just being laid in front of the Church.

Just a very small little Mexican Village.

Paula - 1-29-2012 at 12:19 PM

That's a nice description, Skeet. What year was that?

Skeet/Loreto - 1-29-2012 at 01:04 PM

Paula 1968 to 1972.

In 72 I was soending a lot of time up at San Nicholas with Enrique Murillo, Alvaros Brother. Had a heat Stroke and they took me to Loreto to the little Clinic where I consumred 16 Bottles of /glucose and Dr. Timmions came over and gave me 8,000cc of Potassom==.

Jamie park had not yet arrived on the scene there was hardly anything around and near the Mission. Had a New Years Party on Top Floor of the Municipal with Music and Dancin. All before the Road opened.

It was a different time and different attitude about life. Only 5 Americans around Ben Benner, Tio Don O'neil, James Kimbrough Fred Shields and myself, then along came Rosedall, Jamie Parker and Vaughn.

What a Bunch!!

tiotomasbcs - 1-29-2012 at 06:42 PM

Great story! And we know you were there. Progress always bruings good and bad. I was always an Indian and the Cowboys sucked! Thanks for your view, Skeet! Tio

Paula - 1-29-2012 at 07:25 PM

Skeet, you have the best stories of the old days! I'd love to have seen Loreto before the higway, though I'd never heard of it at the time.

And maybe for the best-- I was engaging in all sorts of behavior you wouldn't have approved back then-- and it was such a small town!

acadist - 1-29-2012 at 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Chippy:
Moved out of Loreto because of Azzholes like you from the States and Canada moved in bringing with them all of the bullshet lame Personalities from up North.
DOPE, OVER Indulgance, NUDITY,TV. COMPUTERS,SEX IN YOUR FACE.
and a good Lack of DEcent Morals.

don't forget humping dog t-shirts :lol:

Skeet/Loreto - 1-30-2012 at 08:07 AM

I think SEX is Great I just don"t like it out in the open in Public.

Paula do yo live out North of the La Pinta??

Loreto was a very laid back Village early on in life. The Main History being the Start of the First Mission. The surrounding area was controlled mostly by Senora Gloria Benziger Davis{Owner of the Oasis} Father. He had control of most of the Cattle area.
There were three different places you could Dance on the Week nites, Horse Races once a Month, Boxing Matches several times of the year{Chino Yee was one of the Best along with Cesar's Rest owners Son

A Convair 880 came in every other Day after Stopping a GN and Mulege then on to La Paz, returning the next Day.
Yellowtail were still being caught from Shore as they chased the Sierra along the Beach.

Happy Days..

Paula - 1-30-2012 at 09:17 AM

Skeet I don't live on the beach north of town, but I do go walking up that way with Don many mornings. Your old place up there has a new look. Have you seen it?

wilderone - 1-30-2012 at 09:22 AM

"Some Folks like to have all of those "make you feel secure things around them"

Like trash and streaming sewer fluids and rubble? Who would be these folks? 1968-72 was a long time ago - before the highway was built. Wake up and smell the cafe au laite.

LaTijereta - 1-30-2012 at 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Paula 1968 to 1972.

It was a different time and different attitude about life. Only 5 Americans around Ben Benner, Tio Don O'neil, James Kimbrough Fred Shields and myself, then along came Rosedall, Jamie Parker and Vaughn.

What a Bunch!!

Jamie and Mary Parker having a good time at the Misson Hotel back in 1982..A little later in your time line..Also found some images from Cesar's..

Fred Shields still kicking and should be down here next week ready to have another clam bake.. Don Rossendaul was just here visiting for a few days...

Skeet/Loreto - 1-30-2012 at 01:43 PM

Thanks for all the good Photos!!!

Last time I saw Marie she was on the Plane bringing Jamies Ashes to be scattered.

I have not seen Rancho Sonrisa for awhile.He told me last time I talked that he was going to change it.

Fred Shields and one of his great Clam Feeds. Boy! those were the days.