Corky1 - 10-9-2004 at 06:56 PM
On my way south I stopped in to visit with JR.
I had several boxes of STUFF for him to take down south.
After unloading we chatted for a while. Very interesting person.
Don't miss the chance to talk with him even if you differ with his ideas.
Nice person.
For those that have not met JR I have attached a couple of pictures.
Corky 
David K - 10-9-2004 at 07:33 PM
The real JR? Or the 'other JR?
Seriously, JR is a great guy, very nice, very generous... But, this is because I made the effort to meet him in person, on his turf. JR knows that on
the Internet, he becomes ... well, let's just say 'different', more 'salty'... Perhaps it is the salty air, from the Pacific, or in Spanish: PACIFICO.
Now, we are all adults, we all have opinions, some of us can bite our tongues, and some of us need to be heard.
I tend to be an optimist and think that we all have more good than bad... most of us, anyway. Sometimes we mis-speak, sometimes we pee-off, but... in
the end we all can make a positive impression.
Remember, we are HERE (on Nomad) because of our love or interest in BAJA. Don't let politics or opinions mess up the Baja friendships here.
JR, everyone will help as they wish to... I think it is too personal for you to rate people based on how much help they publically announce. It is
none of your business who helps and it really shouldn't be burdoning you to know.
Just do the good that you do, offer to take things south that people can drop off (like clothes, repellant, school supplies). That is where you shine,
my friend.
Calling us un-human or ugly Americans is kind of like biting the hand that feeds you (your cause)... We all know the stereo type 'ugly American', in a
motorhome or on a jet plane, demanding services, or living in walled compounds... WE ARE NOT THEM...
NOW, can't we all just get along???
Say what ?
jrbaja - 10-9-2004 at 07:41 PM
"I think it is too personal for you to rate people based on how much help they publically announce."
I think you have some rereading to do there Amigo. The whole thread!
surfer jim - 10-9-2004 at 07:41 PM
Pictures?..I don't see no stinking pictures.....
Corky1 - 10-9-2004 at 07:50 PM
The stinkin pictures won't come up???
I'm still trying!!!
Corky
Thanks Corky
jrbaja - 10-9-2004 at 08:17 PM
Do you by any chance know the combination for that suitcase? We are dividing stuff and I'd like to keep the case usable for them if possible.
Glad you got to meet Arlene and Jon.
Corky1 - 10-9-2004 at 10:45 PM
Try again?? JR and his dogs.
[Edited on 10-10-2004 by Corky1]
[Edited on 10-10-2004 by Corky1]
Corky1 - 10-9-2004 at 10:49 PM
See if I can do it twice?? JR's house.
surfer jim - 10-9-2004 at 11:12 PM
Now I see them...wish I hadn't....
Identify the real JR
Baja Bernie - 10-10-2004 at 05:58 AM
After having met the real JR (he IS a little different in person from his image created on the net) more than once. I have found that the best was to
be sure it is really him is to have him show you his hands. Yes, his hands because he has a bad habit of chopping at his fingers with an ax--Go
figure--
I like this man and what he is trying to accomplish BUT he can become very judgmental at the drop of a hat. I guess that is okay because I think he
thinks I am a real Baja Guy--I think!
Tu Amigo,
Bernie
Thanks Bernie
jrbaja - 10-10-2004 at 08:45 AM
I think. I do tend to chop my fingers on occasion hahahahahaha. I also have
very little patience for gringos that pretend to know about Baja although they have only been here a few times then go off and try to make money from
writing a book about it as in Jeans case.
The bad part is, these gringos do nothing to help the people that live here.
You Bernie are a true caring individual and it is obvious. And you can be sure I mean that because unlike the few on here that I consider the
chicken coop group, I will say whatever I have to say to your face rather than trying to get all my buddies to not like you through phone calls and
u2u's.
David K - 10-10-2004 at 09:10 AM
The number of trips into Baja fortunately didn't stop many authors from writing books. Some great 'classic' Baja books were written about a first trip
down Baja.
All books about Baja can help the Mexican people. How? Well, in the case of the Baja Emergency Guide it removes some fears about travel into a strange
land by telling where important services are located (such as hospitals, vets, police, Internet cafes, and has a Spanish dictionary for words needed
in Medical or mechanical situations). Because street addresses are difficult to find, GPS directions are included. That is a great feature as the more
GPS becomes equiped with travelers and in vehicles.
With that fear of emergencies removed, MORE may go to Mexico and that means MORE customers and income for Mexican people. THAT (JR) is how jeans book,
your book, anyones Baja book helps Mexican people.
I don't mean helping
jrbaja - 10-10-2004 at 09:19 AM
by bringing more tourists who are afraid of everything down here. I mean helping by giving them jobs, school supplies, and badly needed items, not
just buying chewing gum and booze.
And I would say David, that your first book is definitely a Classic! But, that's different.
David K - 10-10-2004 at 09:48 AM
Thank you JR...
But, I do not think it is an author's obligation to provide government services or private enterprise.
Travel books are designed to help travelers.
Travelers bring income into Mexico.
The money we spend filters through the economy. This is good for private enterprise.
Most of the Pemex dollars & pesos go to government, if you believe in government programs. So we all contribute to that, when we drive in Baja.
Are you suggesting no books on Baja should be written unless the author pays Mexico some kind of tax? That will be so destructive to tourism... so
hurtful to the Mexican people who benefit from travelers and tourists.
I hope you don't suggest this web site be terminated if Doug doesn't pay tax to Mexico! This web site is doing the job that only books had done
before... it is like a book on Baja... only better. Unless you contribute to keeping this site on line or at least click on the google ads, you get
this for free!
I'm not saying tax the books
jrbaja - 10-10-2004 at 10:37 AM
although not too bad of an idea. I'm saying that the people that come down and write these books should actually do something to show their
appreciation.
And that doesn't mean trying to get gringo dollars to keep sick animals in a disgusting zoo.
Or publicly trashing places in Baja and then writing incomplete, basically useless books trying to promote tourism.
Both Don Jimmy and Bernie have contributed immeasurably to their communities as they lived here. And their books show the love they have for the
Mexican people and Baja.
There are so many of these book scams that are so poorly done they are useless.
Try using the baja emergency guide if you don't speak Spanish. hahahahahaha
I think it's only fair to give back something to the people that need it the most. If that is actually happening from all these "authors", then I am
wrong.
David K - 10-10-2004 at 11:27 AM
JR, I have the Baja Emergency Guide in my glove box. I do not have to know any Spanish to utilize it. If I want to find a doctor, vet, hospital, etc.
it will get me there. Bernie's or Jimmy's books don't require Spanish knowledge either, to enjoy or use them. The book is only $12.95 and has a
limited market (Baja travelers). I hardly think the author is living a life of luxery from its sales.
The Santiago Zoo effort was to GET the lion (and two other large animals) OUT of their tiny prisons... I know how much effort went into this, I know
everything possible was being done to get them out of Santiago to wildlife sanctuaries. 'jeans' put a lot into this effort with no personal gain from
it. Between the government and greed by some of the 'humans' in Baja Sur... the large animals continue to suffer. To blame jeans because she was the
American involved in this shows what little you know and are unqualified to make judgement calls on. I think you owe jeans an apology... She poured
her heart into trying to get those animals freed from there. What did you do? To know of a problem, complain about someone who is helping, and do
nothing at all to assist seems wrong to me.
As for giving something to the people... For their pride, I think they would rather earn an income (from increased business) than be given charity.
"Tis far better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish... Because he can then feed himself forever instead of becoming dependent on your
charity".
I know sometimes it can make a big difference in lives with gifts, and like you, I have done (a little) giving... those of us who have more than our
Mexican friends, should gladly give something.
Some of us violate the Mexican law just to give something, like clothing to the children. Too bad such a 'human' people would make laws banning the
bringing south of second hand clothes to orphans and the poor.
No reply required, just please think about what you say to your fellow Nomads... thank you.
Not so David
jrbaja - 10-10-2004 at 12:40 PM
"The Santiago Zoo effort was to GET the lion (and two other large animals) OUT of their tiny prisons... I know how much effort went into this, I know
everything possible was being done to get them out of Santiago to wildlife sanctuaries. 'jeans' put a lot into this effort with no personal gain from
it."
She realized what a mistake she had made after the lion died. Before that she was trying to improve the zoo. The worst part is, she was told how
cruel this zoo was before the lion died.
I don't want to plagarize so I suggest you pick up a copy of the local gringo gazzette. Ms. conroy for once summed up the animal problem pretty
clearly in the latest edition.
Donations and teaching people to fish ?
You know pretty much what I am doing down here. Teaching them to "fish". And not throw trash. And quite a few other projects that actually give the
people something to do to make money, rather than having to sell their property to afford school for their kids.
This is because all those tourist dollars don't seem to make it to the people who need it the most so I am doing something with their future in
mind.
And it's not for personal gain or to look cool. It's because they have taught me so much and I feel I should help them in any way I can. And, so
should everyone else.
JESSE - 10-10-2004 at 01:40 PM
Jr is a great guy, one of my favorite people that i have met because of this board.
JR
Baja Bernie - 10-10-2004 at 02:27 PM
Time out!
I supported Jeans in her efforts to do something 'good' for the animals in that pitiful 'zoo' and I would try to help her again because she had her
heart in the right place and at least was trying to do something positive. You know about the small things I have done in conjunction with your
efforts and I will continue to support you in your efforts. That does not necesarily mean that I agree with everything that you do.
Let's leave this thread with the thought that at least those that try and help people and animals in Baja are at least a few steps ahead of those who
just come to hang out, get drunk, and look down on the wonderful culture (that is more than slowly fading from the scene).
I'll try this again---Baja is People helping People (and animals).
You know that people looking at the tour guide to Rosarito that you wrote would assume that it was written to make a few pesos. Most of us who write
about Baja have learned that no one makes any real money with those efforts.
Viva Baja y mi amigo's!
Bernie
jrbaja - 10-10-2004 at 02:37 PM
read the editorial in the g.g.
Dave - 10-10-2004 at 02:50 PM
I couldn't help but notice that the railing around your deck is for sale. How much you want for it?
$45,000
jrbaja - 10-10-2004 at 02:56 PM
but we are throwing in everything else that is attached including the unattached laundry room.
David K - 10-10-2004 at 04:03 PM
Since when do you believe the Gringo Gazzette? When did the lion die??? Check your facts...
a) The animals of concern where in too small of cages (lion, tiger, bear). There were plans to build bigger enclosures, but lacked funds... this was
better than doing nothing.
b) money was raised and when a secure arrangement was made, transferred.
c) during her efforts to help the animals... jeans learned of programs to remove them to BETTER places, not just bigger enclosures... that avenue was
pursued.
d) when greed or egos (by local 'humans')interfered with this better action is when I think ended her involvement...
THIS is just my impression, I will stand corrected by jeans if she wishes to say any more. I think you are on a witch hunt JR, with someone who does
help without bragging about it... that wrote a pretty good little guide at an incredibly cheap price.
What do you hope to gain by speaking poorly of your fellow Nomad, who has done nothing to you?
Bajaboy - 10-10-2004 at 06:18 PM
Without getting too deep into this conversation, who died and became God? How can one determine who is okay for Baja and who is not? There used to
be an ugly term in the US called segregation...am I hearing that certain individuals shouldn't be allowed into Baja based on where they come from or
what language they speak?
If someone breaks the law, send them to jail. If someone is rude, don't show them any respect. But, by all means, who has the right to judge a
person based on what he or she chooses to do with his or her vacation time and dollars. Tourists are tourists are tourists regardless of where one
lives.
On that note, I am back to packing for my trip.
Zac
Eli - 10-10-2004 at 06:31 PM
All though I am most fond of and have a great respect for David Flores; I will always wonder what he is doing working for a slanderous piece of a
lying horses ass tabloid as the G.G. rag surly truly is. Guess it is a job and gives him a chance at some creative writing. Man, I wouldn't go quoting
that rag for nothing, They never get anything stright, and ol Carrie just loves to raise a rucas to sell her paper, that is all she is about.
By the way, I have done a little lurking and it was the bear that died, not the lion, and poor Jeans, well, bless her soul, she really stuck her neck
out there trying to help in a helpless situation. I personally think the big guys (lions) would be better off shot and feed to the coyotes than spend
another day in that hole, but I got to give it to her, she gave it her best, and who knows maybe someday something positive, (like the cats moved to a
suitable sancuray) will come of her effort.
Hasta Cuando? Quien Sabe, Sara
Eli
jrbaja - 10-10-2004 at 10:48 PM
carrie and nancy parted ways. There is now a gg norte run by nancy and I agree with you 100%.
This is the first article I have seen by her that made any sense. And I am sure it is embellished and wasn't witnessed first hand but the general
idea makes sense.
I can't believe I read it in the fishwrap !
Eli - 10-11-2004 at 09:27 AM
J.R., for sure I think we are all on the same team, You, Me, Jeans, David K., and all that I have read on Nomads ultimitly want the people and
critters of Baja Cal. to benefit from our intereaction with the pennisula. As Bernie always sez; Baja is about people helping people. I really wonder
sometimes how we get into these silly scabbles.
It is highly unlikly that I will waste my time looking up the latest scandal produced by Carrie, I have read enough of her slanders to last a life
time.
O.k., I am off to Tuddle in the Taller in Tule and late as usual.
Un Saludos Simpre, Sara
synch - 10-11-2004 at 11:04 AM
Looks like JR lives in a castle or perhaps that is a lighthouse in the background.
Wow!
The real JR....
Herb - 10-11-2004 at 12:58 PM
Now that's an armful, and then some.
Seriously, though. I've spent time over the last 12 months getting to know the "real JR". Strengths, weaknesses, heroric qualities, blemishes etc....
Bottom line....
Works for me! A real human.
Nobody is perfect, but real humans are the most enjoyable and rewarding to be around.
If you think that they have parted ways...
Gypsy Jan - 10-11-2004 at 02:12 PM
just read the masthead.
Carrie is still the publisher of Gringo Gazette North, as well as the southern edition.
I think that says it all. Both papers are still tarred by the same dirty brush.
I wasn't aware of that
jrbaja - 10-11-2004 at 02:21 PM
but that would certainly explain the rudeness and garbage contained in said fishwrap both north and south.
And I have spoken quite openly about my feelings on these "women" and the trash they produce.
But, I was pretty taken aback at what the editorial had to say. I bet she didn't even write it.