BajaNomad - Not one American stopped to help. Not one.

Not one American stopped to help. Not one.

Don Jorge - 4-11-2017 at 08:16 AM

Our last trip down and back I continued my usual practice of the casual windshield wave to oncoming traffic on Hwy 1. Only 1 American returned the wave all others refusing to acknowledge the presence of someone else in their world. A sign of the change that has taken place in Baja over the 48 years we have been traveling to and from Baja. Of course the truckers wave back often.

Recently a good friend of ours from orangeless county was involved in a rollover on Hwy 1 south of Guerrero Negro. She was traveling north with her 2 children. They were not seriously hurt but definitely shaken to the core.

This is from her blog about the accident:

"By now at least five cars had stopped to help. These were the kindest, most thoughtful people I have ever encountered. They wrapped my kids and I in blankets, washed the dirt off our arms and faces, gave us water to drink and collected all of our things that had flown across the desert when we crashed. They asked what we had of value and made sure that my computer, phone, ipad, passports, wallet and anything else of value was next to my person, while I held my kids and talked them through what happened.

I was terrified of possible concussion or internal injuries and so I talked non-stop to the kids. My daughter kept repeating the same questions to me and my son kept nearly falling asleep; both behaviors terrified me. As soon as I would answer questions from the people helping the kids would go into states of shock. I was panicked that they would fall asleep, so we counted over and over to one hundred, first in English and then Spanish and then in English again and so on. Over and over. By now, I realized that my right arm was broken, my left hand might be broken and the blood that I had noticed earlier was coming from a wound on my head. My hair was matted in blood. I was tired. I wanted to sleep too. But we continued to count as we sat next to the remains of our truck.

There must have been at least ten Americans that drove past during this time. I even eerily made eye contact with one women as I held my babies and counted, and they slowly drove past. Not one American stopped to help. Not one. Would you have stopped? I ask myself that everyday now. I don't know if I would have before all of this. I didn’t need them. I speak Spanish. But it sure would have been a comfort. I still can’t believe that so many Americans drove past and not one stopped."

Wow. Not one American stopped. Not one.

Every time an American did not wave back on our recent trip I thought how things have changed, how the Americans who are in Baja now have changed.

Since when did we Americans in Baja become the self absorbed who would not wave back?

Since when did we Americans become the asssholes who would not stop to help others in distress?

To read the entire account of the accident visit the blog. I'm sure at least a few will know the author and her family. I know they would have stopped to help others as they have in the past.

http://www.thisgypsypath.com/

Barry A. - 4-11-2017 at 08:38 AM

When it's obvious that many other's have already stopped to help, your stopping just adds to the confusion and safety-issues unless you possess a special talent that would truly be needed. I always worry about traffic control (safety) at accident sites, so if obviously needed I always stop to help with that.

The traffic is now so heavy on Mex 1 that waving to all becomes redundant, but I sure use to in the "old days" when traffic was light.

Martyman - 4-11-2017 at 08:44 AM

I love the "Baja wave". Usually don't do it on Hwy 1 (due to high speed) but on the backroads it is still alive and well.

woody with a view - 4-11-2017 at 08:52 AM

I agree. With multiple other vehicles already on site it would seem that more isn't better. We only carry a small first aid kit now. A trucker has a radio that can talk to GN or San Q. Stop them until word gets transmitted to the authorities if you are first in.

We always wave on dirt roads!

[Edited on 4-11-2017 by woody with a view]

wiltonh - 4-11-2017 at 09:20 AM

On our way down last fall, we came upon a van stopped in a blind corner just South of Catavina. It was about 6:30 AM and there were a number of people standing around the van. A young woman was standing near the front holding a set of jumper cables. We pulled over and turned our van around so we were facing theirs. We connected the jumper cables and let it charge for a while. The engine would not tun over.

My wife started talking to them in Spanish and found out that there were 8 people in the van and they had no food or water. They had broken down the previous evening and had parked in the South bound lane of highway 1 because there was no shoulder. She went to get some trail food and water. When my wife handed the packets to the woman, she said there were 18 people in the van. They were on their way to a rehab center in Cabo. Then she gave them all the trail mix we had and almost all the water.

I used a meter to check the fuses and found that a 60 amp fuse was blown. As I was pulling it out, two Americans stopped and asked what was wrong. One went to the back of his van and pulled out the correct fuse. I put it in but the engine would not start.

I then took out all storage boxes under the bed to remove our second battery and installed that in their van. The engine would now turn over just fine but it still would not start.

I siphoned some gas from my motorcycle and put that into the carburetor but the engine would not run.

About this time, a military convoy stopped. My wife had been signaling South bound traffic to slow down and they took over that job. Their commander came over and asked what was going on. I told him in English what I had tried and that the problem was probably ignition but I could not fix that. He said they would take over from there, so I reinstalled my battery and packed all my tools.

They were very grateful that we had stopped.

Jack Swords - 4-11-2017 at 10:40 AM

Ten years ago I rolled my truck between La Paz and Constitucion. Seat belt worked, I climbed out of the topside door. A Mexican couple was behind me and both ran up to me and gave me needed hugs. My camper shell was off, camping and fishing gear strewn on the highway. Every Mexican vehicle stopped, picked up my stuff and the broken camper shell. Not one would accept any money for their help. A trucker used a chain to flip my truck over and dragged it off the road. So many people checked on my welfare and offered to contact authorities where they were going. Point of this is: between 8 - 10 US plated vehicles (most California) drove by without stopping in spite of my California plate aimed out at the road.

To continue, a tow truck arrived, deemed a Federal highway and couldn't tow, but wanted payment anyway. A second Federally authorized towtruck arrived and used my socket set to drop driveline. Meanwhile a Federal police arrived and wanted $200 to make a report and NOT impound the truck. He would not take a traveler's check. I rode with the tow truck driver, first stop was for gas (on me). Second stop was for beer (on me). Then on to our house in Todos Santos where the truck was stored until a local bought it for parts (but fixed everything and it is on the road to this day). Neighbors greeted us (we had just left) and wondered why I was smiling and so happy. Upside down on the highway, wonderful Mexican folks helping, and another Baja experience with really no real serious harm done. Had a Ballena of beer and went to sleep and rode back to states with a friend.

We always stop, carry a first aid kit, and try to help in any way we can. As the recipient of the compassion and assistance of the Mexican people, I can do no less.

DawnPatrol - 4-11-2017 at 11:03 AM

I am so sorry to hear this. I kind of agree that if there was a heavy presence of people helping already maybe that was the reason they didn't stop. But who knows...

On a personal level two years ago we broke down on Hwy 1 and only after about 10minutes the first person to stop WAS an American couple and they gave me a ride back up the line to San Quintin so I could get necessary parts/help.

In our case it was a simple breakdown and no injuries or rollover.

I am glad everyone is OK

Alan from SD

bajaguy - 4-11-2017 at 11:09 AM

You can't always count on a US plated car being driven by someone from the US

Quote: Originally posted by Jack Swords

Ten years ago I rolled my truck between La Paz and Constitucion. Seat belt worked, I climbed out of the topside door. A Mexican couple was behind me and both ran up to me and gave me needed hugs. My camper shell was off, camping and fishing gear strewn on the highway. Every Mexican vehicle stopped, picked up my stuff and the broken camper shell. Not one would accept any money for their help. A trucker used a chain to flip my truck over and dragged it off the road. So many people checked on my welfare and offered to contact authorities where they were going. Point of this is: between 8 - 10 US plated vehicles (most California) drove by without stopping in spite of my California plate aimed out at the road.

To continue, a tow truck arrived, deemed a Federal highway and couldn't tow, but wanted payment anyway. A second Federally authorized towtruck arrived and used my socket set to drop driveline. Meanwhile a Federal police arrived and wanted $200 to make a report and NOT impound the truck. He would not take a traveler's check. I rode with the tow truck driver, first stop was for gas (on me). Second stop was for beer (on me). Then on to our house in Todos Santos where the truck was stored until a local bought it for parts (but fixed everything and it is on the road to this day). Neighbors greeted us (we had just left) and wondered why I was smiling and so happy. Upside down on the highway, wonderful Mexican folks helping, and another Baja experience with really no real serious harm done. Had a Ballena of beer and went to sleep and rode back to states with a friend.

We always stop, carry a first aid kit, and try to help in any way we can. As the recipient of the compassion and assistance of the Mexican people, I can do no less.

David K - 4-11-2017 at 11:14 AM

Waving on dirt roads dates back to the 60s for me and my family trips. It was the thing to do... make friends with everyone you encounter, as there were so few. There were days on the main road between Ensenada and La Paz that you would not encounter another car all day.

Waving was a special thing and perhaps these 'new friends' may pass you again on your trip... maybe they could help if you broke down? It was just the thing to do.

Once the highway was built, people passed by too fast and the highway was so narrow, you took a big risk to lose your concentration to wave or look for their wave.

However, to this day, I still wave when I pass others going the opposite direction on dirt roads, most wave back. If I come to a vehicle stopped on the road, I roll down the window and ask if they are ok or need help. This remains a natural act for me, and I do it for any nationality.

If there is an accident, and others are already on the scene, and if you have no special additional skills to offer, there is no point in adding to the congestion on the road. I am sorry for this mother's accident... but if she and her babies were wrapped in blankets and attended to, what more could be done by American tourists, does she think?
Because of the inReach satellite 2-way communicator, one can now offer help to let family or the insurance company know of an accident.

wilderone - 4-11-2017 at 11:40 AM

"if she and her babies were wrapped in blankets and attended to, what more could be done by American tourists, does she think?"
Doing more than what is apparent in the first seconds of observation is to be determined. Shame on those who didn't even inquire. Even emotional support - the children were clearly traumatized, maybe in shock - their mother bleeding and trying to control the situation when she needed care herself.
I had a blowout on the highway once - bent rim - limped along at 4 mph until I could get to a place to pull off the highway. Calif. plated gringos whizzed by, not even glancing at me. A Mexican in a truck with his wife and child came along, passed slowly; they pulled off and waited for me; asked if I needed help. I accepted his offer, and turns out my jack was missing (what happened to it in the intervening 5 years while I owned the car is a mystery) - he used his own. At first glance, a lady with a flat tire. The fact was I was unable to change the tire, it was about 4 pm and would be dark in an hour.
Thanks to the compassionate few who make a difference.

rts551 - 4-11-2017 at 12:28 PM

You are correct Don Jorge. This probably because Most people years ago drove slower and were not afraid to wave while on the hwy, there is much more traffic today, and the USA travelers of yesteryear were friendlier and not as intent on immediately getting to their destination.. I Why stare straight ahead without eye contact...I don't know nless people are just plain afraid.

ThisGypsyPath - 4-11-2017 at 12:48 PM

Thanks so much for sharing my story here Jorge! What a fun surprise it was to see traffic from Baja Nomad coming to my blog.

For those saying they wouldn't have stopped because traffic was too congested or I looked like I was taken car of....or I think one commenter questioned what I could have possibly needed from an American tourist if I was already taken care of. I think if you had really read the part of my blog that Jorge shared that it is pretty clear what I was contemplating when discussing the lack of expat help.

I was simply pondering and understand it.

"There must have been at least ten Americans that drove past during this time. I even eerily made eye contact with one women as I held my babies and counted, and they slowly drove past. Not one American stopped to help. Not one. Would you have stopped? I ask myself that everyday now. I don't know if I would have before all of this. I didn’t need them. I speak Spanish. But it sure would have been a comfort. I still can’t believe that so many Americans drove past and not one stopped."

I say that I don't know if I would have stopped before this accident. I also state that I didn't need them, but I also say that it would have been a comfort.

There was no place to pull over where we crashed. We were there for at least two hours. My helpers came and went. Not all the people that stopped stayed the entire time. Those driving the road had to slow down and drive around the vehicles parked in the road.

Collecting all of my stuff was crazy. There was a ton of debate with the people helping on what to do with my things so that it wouldn't get stolen. They were very concerned that the cop would steal my things...which inevitably, he did make off with the car registration, my very nice sleeping bags, and this super cool king-kong shovel. (Our experience going to all the police stations from Guerrero Negro to San Quintin and tow yard in Punta Prieta is story in itself! Perhaps I will blog about it next.)

Am American stopping could have checked to see if I spoke enough Spanish. An American could have collected my things and checked them into a hotel for me. An American could have just asked me if I was going to be okay. They could have even asked all of this without leaving their vehicles.

In the past I may have driven by, I don't think I would have...but I may have. Hard to say. I can say, that in the future, I will stop for anyone that looks distressed and simply ask, "Are you okay? Can I help and do you need anything?"

And Jorge...I am all about bringing the wave back to hwy 1!

Lets start a trend my Baja loving friends!

ThisGypsyPath - 4-11-2017 at 12:54 PM

Oh! And David K!

I have blue eyes, bright blonde hair and overall look Northern European. My three year old has red hair and my daughter has blonde hair. Our truck had California plates. I think it was pretty obvious we were not Native Spanish speakers. The Mexicans that helped immediately asked me if I spoke Spanish and they tried to speak english with me. I am blessed that I speak fluent Spanish and would I assert that I speak more than the average American traveling down there. I was able to communicate very easily with everyone...but knowing how much Spanish most of the American travelers speak down in Baja...I would think that most Americans would have at least wondered if I was able to communicate.

Enrique2012 - 4-11-2017 at 01:00 PM

Don Jorge, I would be OUTRAGED (IF... I were you or your friend).

Solution: Stop going to Baja.

TMW - 4-11-2017 at 01:18 PM

Who really cares whether an American or a Mexican stops to help or whether they speak English or Spanish. It doesn't take a lot of communication to tell if someone is hurt. If you want comfort from someone in your native tongue I can understand since you are a woman. Me I just wanted to get it over with and deal with the results, ie: do I need an ambulance, tow truck or a friend to help me.

ljprusko - 4-11-2017 at 01:19 PM

Don Jorge:

I find your post untrue, racial, narrow-minded, does a lot more harm than good. To claim Americans traveling in Baja won't stop to help you and are unfriendly is a bunch of crap.

And as for the wave game, grow up, that's quite childish.

ThisGypsyPath - 4-11-2017 at 01:29 PM

TMW.

I wrote that I didn't need them to stop.

If you read the entire blog post you will see that the post really isn't about Americans not stopping. It was simply an observation. There is no anger or disappointment behind it.

My blog post...well, it's more about facing the trauma from the experience of the accident and feeling gratitude for the wonderful people who DID help me. And also my awe of highway 1. The ironic thing about this post regarding my accident...is that the two posts before that were about finding freedom when facing fear and also the joys of Baja! So it was really crazy that I was then faced with ultimate terror of seeing my life and those of my kids flash before me. It was a rude awakening in my ways.

Hopefully you take a moment to read the blog in it's entirety. Have a beautiful day.

www.thisgypsypath.com

BornFisher - 4-11-2017 at 02:00 PM

Gypsy-- very happy you and your family are OK and will heal.
Seems like every month since Nov., there is another accident story. Glad they are being reported, it reminds all drivers to be careful.
About the wave thing---- sometimes on the road, but ALWAYS on the water!!!

4x4abc - 4-11-2017 at 03:43 PM

I have assisted many (Gringos and Mexicans alike) after accidents on the MEX1. Forgot the details of most by now.
The last one was a Nomad couple with cat. Only the police some truckers and I were on scene. And the same story. None of the foreign cars on the road stopped while I was there. Not even the nice people I had breakfast with in Cataviña.

David K - 4-11-2017 at 04:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ThisGypsyPath

Oh! And David K!

I have blue eyes, bright blonde hair and overall look Northern European. My three year old has red hair and my daughter has blonde hair. Our truck had California plates. I think it was pretty obvious we were not Native Spanish speakers. The Mexicans that helped immediately asked me if I spoke Spanish and they tried to speak english with me. I am blessed that I speak fluent Spanish and would I assert that I speak more than the average American traveling down there. I was able to communicate very easily with everyone...but knowing how much Spanish most of the American travelers speak down in Baja...I would think that most Americans would have at least wondered if I was able to communicate.

Welcome to Baja Nomad! Sorry that it took such an awful event to get you here!

My comments were to try and figure out what was the need for even more people to stop at an accident scene if the victims (you and your children) were already being cared for.

Often, too many Looky-Lou's cause problems for emergency response and cause additional accidents. The color of your hair is hardly a reason for anyone to decide to stop or not, so please don't think that is an issue in Mexico. There are many blond and red-haired Mexicans... that don't speak a word of English, no matter what they look like. Could cars driving by even see you long enough or your license plates, if your race or nationality was even a real reason to stop or not?

The fact is that you are here now and able to tell us what happened. I will read the 'rest of the story' in your blog. Thank you for speaking to us and we are so glad you are well.

David K - 4-11-2017 at 04:49 PM

Just read the rest (all) of the story...

Wonderful writing of the event and all the other details missing from the portion that was posted by Don Jorge, here. Reading the whole story, I don't get any of the negatives that were highlighted at the top of this thread.

The line from your blog about Americans not stopping, that was left out of the quote above, kind of says a lot and to our relief: "I didn’t need them. I speak Spanish."

Again, what a nice blog about your home in San Juanico and the drive north across the salt flats to San Ignacio and beyond. You really enforce how important good tires are to staying healthy if you still believe it was a front blow-out that caused your Tundra to leave the highway and roll.

I think you should consider writing a book about your (all too) exciting life!

Rossman - 4-11-2017 at 05:01 PM

I happened to be first on scene of a head on between Mex 5 (Chapala) and the BOLA cutoff last October and I certainly did not have the same experience as the OP is relating. There was not much traffic and probably 10 minutes went by before anyone came by. A gringo on a bicycle stopped and helped extricate one of the victims with a leg pinned under the dash. Another gringo couple who were traveling north took the injured guy with an obvious broken leg, back south to Punta Prieta to report the accident and then on to GN for medical assistance. Tow truck showed up 40 minutes later from Punta Prieta and the driver was an absolute A hole to anyone who would slow down and offer assistance. Gringo or Mexican. This went on for a full hour until one of the gringos on scene had had enough and got a baseball bat out of his truck and encouraged the tow truck driver to get back in his truck and shut the eff up. Belongings were scattered along 300 feet of highway and several folks were helping to gather valuables into a pile. The biggest travesty was that I was there for 3 hours and the Federalis had not shown up. At that point, since there were plenty of folks more qualified than me to help out, and since I did not actually witness the accident, I left. When not being harassed by the tow truck driver, almost every vehicle would ask if they could help. Gringos asked the gringos on scene and Mexicans asked the Mexicans on scene.

4x4abc - 4-11-2017 at 05:27 PM

this might be worth a separate thread - the tow truck operator of the junk yard at Parador Punta Prieta.
He has used one of my distress situations to help himself to a lot of money.

BeemerDan - 4-11-2017 at 08:32 PM

I'm glad to hear you and the kids are ok, That said you were going way to fast for the conditions.
I did read your entire blog, for what its worth.

You seem to to have a deep prejudice towards Americans, Why is that?

motoged - 4-11-2017 at 10:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

Who really cares whether an American or a Mexican stops to help or whether they speak English or Spanish. It doesn't take a lot of communication to tell if someone is hurt. If you want comfort from someone in your native tongue I can understand since you are a woman. Me I just wanted to get it over with and deal with the results, ie: do I need an ambulance, tow truck or a friend to help me.

Tom, I don't think a person's desire for support is just a female thing...anymore than indifference and focusing on problem-solving is just a male thing.

You admit to wanting a friend to help you in such a situation....it was a form of "help" she was hoping for perhaps as the only friend's nearby were the ones who stopped to offer assistance.

ThisGypsyPath - 4-11-2017 at 10:21 PM

4x4abc Yes. Grua Lopez has a reputation.

BeemerDan. I agree. I was going too fast. I grew too comfortable on the road. I don't think I give the pretense that I didn't make mistakes.

As far as the prejudice. Yes..I am currently in a space where I am looking at American culture from a very critical viewpoint. I certainly won't deny it. I am not from Orange County, but I have lived in Orange County for a long time. And it's draining. I think I am pretty honest and clear about in all of my blog posts as well.

Thanks for reading!

David K! Thanks so much for reading. I am currently writing a book!

motoged - 4-11-2017 at 10:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BeemerDan

I'm glad to hear you and the kids are ok, That said you were going way to fast for the conditions.
I did read your entire blog, for what its worth.

You seem to to have a deep prejudice towards Americans, Why is that?

Some folks folks jumping all over the victim of misfortune here..."sad".

BD, have you read her full blog account of the incident? I see no evidence of prejudice towards Americans in it....she only mentioned many drove by and that the hospital admitting procedures were not as complicated as those in the States...

[Edited on 4-12-2017 by motoged]

BeemerDan - 4-11-2017 at 11:01 PM

Ged, Of course I read the entire incident on Sarah's blog and then some.
Try it again without the blinders on and maybe you'll see my point.

motoged - 4-11-2017 at 11:06 PM

No need to be insulting, Dan. What blinders do you think I have on?

BeemerDan - 4-11-2017 at 11:22 PM

Ged, you see what you want to see, I read Sarah's entire blog, and her reply to this forum pretty much summed it up.

I read a book by its cover extremely well, You hate Americans, You always have, except when it suits you. I'm sad to say.

motoged - 4-12-2017 at 12:59 AM

So you read a book by it's cover, you say. Good for you and your primary reading skills.

I read a book by it's contents....

I don't know why you accuse me of hating Americans.

I have no problem acknowledging that I don't have much use or respect for the Trump style of the American consciousness...the "ugly American" persona that a lot of my American friends also find distasteful (some of whom are Nomads) and are embarrassed by.

With your comments here, I got past your cover.

It's ironic that I didn't see any American-hating sentiment in the bloggers comments, but you somehow dredged that perspective from her writing. If I was American-hating, I might have pounced on the opportunity to support your paranoid perception and go at it....rather, I tried to dispel thenotion.

Sounds like you are the guy with an attitude problem...

[Edited on 4-12-2017 by motoged]

rhintransit - 4-12-2017 at 05:52 AM

I had a roll over accident (female, driving solo) a number of years ago between Guerro Negro and Vizcaino. many people stopped to help. frankly I can't remember the nationalities except that the first on the scene were Mexican and now that I think about it, I have no idea where they parked, but there definitely was zero shoulder and no place to pull off. I never wondered about the nationality of my angels and who they were/why they stopped nor thought about what else they could have done for me...I was just happy and blessed that they came to my aid.

[Edited on 4-12-2017 by rhintransit]

[Edited on 4-12-2017 by rhintransit]

KurtG - 4-12-2017 at 07:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BeemerDan

If Ged has "a deep prejudice" against Americans he hides it well when you are around him in person.

motoged - 4-12-2017 at 09:19 AM

Kurt,
Nope, wasn't hiding anything....you might have had a sense of my "opinionatedness" ...which I don't hide very well.... :biggrin:

I posted my comments about the blogger before I read her post acknowledging her critical review of her national brethren...and did so in an effort to offer some form of support regarding what seemed to be an assumptive challenge.

I will let her espouse more on the theme of her critical second-thinking about her fellow countrymen/women.

Any Nomad who has met me personally is way more justified to be judging me than the keyboard warriors who haven't....and I will leave it all with that.

David K - 4-12-2017 at 09:42 AM

I have hoped to meet you Ged. We have both off roaded with the same folks, just not together. Oh, and I don't hate Canada, either! Okay, eh?

woody with a view - 4-12-2017 at 10:17 AM

Ged is pretty cool!

TMW - 4-12-2017 at 10:19 AM

He does make a pretty good margarita, no make that a great margarita.

motoged - 4-12-2017 at 10:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

I have hoped to meet you Ged. We have both off roaded with the same folks, just not together. Oh, and I don't hate Canada, either! Okay, eh?

Yah, fershure yabetcha.....oops, that's North Dakota.... :biggrin:

Maybe our trails will cross some Baja day, David....when I am oot and aboot in the dez...

Just spent my first full winter there and just got back to the frozen wastelands last week....best 5 months of the past 25 years !

Not a "hater"....just sometimes outspoken :coolup:

BajaBlanca - 4-12-2017 at 02:15 PM

I think the point I get out of this situation is that even if many are helping, the stress of an accident makes you want to converse in your own language. And it surely would have made the kids more comfortable in this predicament. I will remember this in the future.

If I feel comfortable when I am on my own, T stop and ask if I can help. Once I was asked to call family here in La Bocana once I made it to San Ignacio. Another time, help was on the way but they had no food nor water, so I gave them both.

unbob - 4-14-2017 at 08:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Once the highway was built, people passed by too fast and the highway was so narrow, you took a big risk to lose your concentration to wave or look for their wave.

This is exactly my thought. I try to stay focused like a laser beam on the road at all times - no way I am looking at oncoming drivers to wave, etc. Also carry no dog or passengers to distract. I need all the help I can get!!!

Gulliver - 4-14-2017 at 09:05 AM

To get to my beloved back roads I often have to ride my bike down the pavement. I hate it but what the heck.

My Summer home is on Lopez Island in the San Juan islands of Washington. For ever and ever we have waved to oncoming drivers. We don't always know who they are but it's a pleasant habit.

Thus I automatically wave a lot down here. The results are interesting. The big truck drivers always grin and wave back. Mexicans under a certain age also wave. Young guys driving crazy fast in red pickups (what is it about red pickups and crazy drivers?) don't even seem to see me.

Gringos, if they respond at all, seem startled and sometimes act as though I was warning them of a hazard.

Sadly, we live in an age of isolation and alienation.

Skipjack Joe - 4-14-2017 at 10:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view

Ged is pretty cool!

Perhaps a move to SoCal would help.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NwzaxUF0k18

Gulliver - 4-14-2017 at 10:22 AM

Ha! That's so great.

A bunch of them were in the square today. They drive a better car these days. Their guts stick out further and the tropical shirts and shorts are mind boggling.

These people have been around for ever. Read Barn Burning by Faulkner and A Walk on the Wild Side by Nelson Algren. The gene pool runs deep.

Skipjack Joe - 4-14-2017 at 10:23 AM

Don Jorge's primary point, I think, is that Americans that visit Baja now are different than those in the past.

I agree.

Trips to Baja used to be expeditions, explorations. Now the tourist just flies by in their air conditioned vehicles. With the comfort and convenience came a change in attitude.

Gulliver - 4-14-2017 at 10:27 AM

As in the song . . .

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/simongarfunkel/the59thstreetb...

David K - 4-14-2017 at 11:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Don Jorge's primary point, I think, is that Americans that visit Baja now are different than those in the past.

I agree.

Trips to Baja used to be expeditions, explorations. Now the tourist just flies by in their air conditioned vehicles. With the comfort and convenience came a change in attitude.

Bad roads brought good people.
Paved roads, not so much!

Marc - 4-16-2017 at 08:35 AM

We stopped to help a Mexican couple. While I was under their hood, two guys tried to steal my truck

Okay - okay! I would have stopped.

On another note: Us Porsche drivers used to flick our headlights when coming on. Common practice 50 years ago. Not any more. Porsche drivers nowadays are jerks! (not me!)

KurtG - 4-16-2017 at 11:01 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

I've told friends that the old Baja crowd of 40+ years ago may have been a bit rough around the edges but all in all I preferred them. A bit of eccentricity was not only tolerated but somewhat expected.

JZ - 4-17-2017 at 06:50 PM

Some ppl are just looking for things to cry about on here. Ppl still wave on slow roads.

And get out on the water sometime. Almost all boaters wave at each other.

shari - 4-17-2017 at 07:32 PM

a few days ago we broke down in a spot we couldnt pull over much and were sticking out on the highway and an awesome Mexicano family stopped and helped us push the truck and boat off the road. Then he worked on our truck for a half hour...tried every trick in the book but the engine was toast.

I hitch hiked back to San Igancio to get a mechanic/tow vehicle and I bet 20 cars passed me...lots of em gringos...the one car that stopped ended up being our nephew from San Hipolito...jajajaja...pretty awesome.

We generally stop for accidents if it appears they need extra support and usually for broken down folks too depending on the situation.

Oh and Motoged is a lover not a hater.

fishnbaja1 - 4-18-2017 at 05:13 AM

To those who presume that Sarah was implying that if Americans had stopped, her problems would all have simply disappeared, you are wrong. She simply stated that in a moment of complete chaos, and uncertainty, the comfort of strangers can do wonders. I don't even think she was asking for examples on when you would or wouldn't stop to help others. The point is that at that moment when she looked up, familiar faces seemed to drive on, content with letting others take over. That is a fair assumption and not an indictment of anyone.

And to whoever implied that he understands that you needed comfort in your native tongue because "you are a woman" I just don't understand where such statements come from.

Sarah, I replied to your blog, here's a copy of it:

Hi Sarah, thank you for sharing your experience. I don’t imagine that I’m the first to say this, or at least I hope I’m not, but the feelings you are describing after your accident are those of a person who is experiencing PTSD. You went through a life changing event that affected not only you but those you are responsible for. It makes perfect sense that you are feeling the way you do. And considering that your accident happened just a few weeks ago, I’m amazed that you already found the physical, and mental strength to share what happened to you, with others. That’s always a good sign.

After many years of driving up and down the peninsula, I’m still in awe of its beauty, as well as of its dangers. And to this day, I count myself lucky that I haven’t had an accident. Unfortunately, I have had the opportunity, if you can call it that, to stop and assist in several accidents, and as you pointed out, the kindness and willingness of Mexicans to help complete strangers can bring you to tears. And while my experience with Americans who have stopped to help has always been positive, it saddens me that your experience wasn’t the same. I hope it’s not because of a lack of caring because that would definitely mark a break with tradition, and the end of an era.

I hope you continue to recover both physically and mentally, at the pace your body and mind call for.

Lee - 4-18-2017 at 03:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Jorge

Our last trip down and back I continued my usual practice of the casual windshield wave to oncoming traffic on Hwy 1. Only 1 American returned the wave all others refusing to acknowledge the presence of someone else in their world. A sign of the change that has taken place in Baja over the 48 years we have been traveling to and from Baja. Of course the truckers wave back often.

After an accident 10 years ago N. of SI, I got serious about driving 1 and the reality of how dangerous the road can be.

I do not wave and do not look at oncoming drivers on Highway 1. I focus on the road watching oncoming traffic at a distance. When I pass another vehicle, I grip the steering wheel a bit tighter and brace my arms more -- the way I do when a semi passes and I get pushed by the wind. I fully expect an oncoming car to cross into my lane and I'm watching to make sure that doesn't happen.

My impression of semi drivers is that they are young and inexperienced. I've had too many close calls with semis who passed me -- I don't want to be pushed off the road or side swiped. I've seen too many semi roll overs where it's obvious they took the turn too fast.

Anyone taking their eyes and hand off the road to wave is being reckless and endangering my life.

I wave on dirt roads and in small towns. It's a nice custom.

I'm paranoid, but happy, driving the road and don't want trouble. I've had too many life changing experiences and Baja is the last place for my next one.

Call me self absorbed.

BajaTed - 4-18-2017 at 03:54 PM

They used to not grind the roadways in Baja before re-paving , they just added more pavement.
I've seen road shoulders 18" tall, if you drop a wheel its 50/50 on flipping your vehicle.

The 12% grade into Santa Rosalia is one of the steepest in North America.
When I went down it in an 18 wheeler, my brother the driver told me to jump out if he missed a downshift

I have seen numerous collisions during entry and exit from the highway 1 , the speed differentials from pave to unpaved roads makes bad stuff happen quick.

I'm one of those porcupines (AKA as a Prick) in a Porsche.
I drive my 88 Toyota 4wd truck in Baja like I'm on the race track in my Porsche to be safe, you look FAR ahead and think of what other drivers might do.
BTW, you will always drive into what ever you are staring at, look at the road horizon, front of the hood, instruments, mirrors, repeat until your there.

bajabuddha - 4-18-2017 at 04:09 PM

I totally agree, Ted. In August 2003 I hauled a friend's belongings from Mulege to Washington State, my pickup / camper shell filled to the max and pulling a 21' car-tote trailer, also piled up with 'cosas de la casa'. I measured the road bed from center line to the edge of the pavement in an older section of highway somewhere between Jesus Maria and Cataviña.... the asphalt was right at 9' wide. I measured my trailer tires on the flatbed... 8' 7 & 1/2". Needless to say, WHITE KNUCKLE FLIGHT the whole way to the border. Never been so happy as to see U.S. pavement again, even the Tecate - Campo stretch was a relief. I even stopped at a truck stop for a quit-shaking break and chatted with a couple of semi drivers, asked 'em if I could measure their wheel bases.... I believe they were 8'6". I have the utmost respect for Baja haulers, especially fuel and propane tankers. 99% of them are very helpful and respectful of everyone on the road. All my years of hauling a trailer or a 5th wheel taught me to fall in with them and when they speed up, I can... and when they slow, I do too.

Needless to say, I did NO waving on that run. Nor do I anyway; that road demands respect. Too many cruceros not to.

Oh, and BTW my guidebook sez the Questo del Infierno is a 13 & 1/2% grade. It's always a sphincter-factor of 5 on the one-to-five scale for me, and I used to jump out of perfectly good airplanes.

[Edited on 4-18-2017 by bajabuddha]