Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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My poor little town
Something very dear to me. Something special shelved away decades ago, brought back to life just years ago. Something then destroyed. Something we
had to go back to. Mulege.
What can be said of this place is nothing less than special.
Those who know it will always love it come hell or high water.
Look carefully my friends. Let this place so dear to you prompt you to act. You hold it special. Help it prevail!
I speak of my "other" home. A place where my children feel good, feel free. Oh the irony for me, as this place that gave me so much can be
compromised by so few so easily.
Do you remember the hurricane surge of 2001, 9/11, the fire of 2006 and the flood of Hurricane John. We do, yet we return stronger.
We will continue to return and we will keep the faith. Mulege will be better through all this. From this persons' vantage point, it's been a grand
feat to overcome our towns' problems.
I feel good knowing some other Nomads feel the same, BRAVO! We will persevere. Brothers and sisters with common good.
---- The latest problem:
Very disturbing news. I was waiting for the confirmation. Thank you fellow Nomads. Ya know it's really getting to look like we really are going to
watch one anothers back(s).
The volume of opportunists and crazed druggies has really exploded in recent years. Rampant petty theft has replaced trade or favors it seems.
Mulege is getting hammered. This beautiful little town is vunerable in so many respects. Don't go away. My poor little town needs you.
[Edited on 4-16-2008 by Sharksbaja]
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
Member Is Offline
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Unfortunately it's not just happening at Mulege.
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Suck it Up
This thread is about Baja California so don’t cut me off. I think it is fair to say that one could want to have the war in Iraq come to an end quickly
without showing dishonor to the brave men and women serving there.
In the same fashion I think there are those who could encourage Nomads and others to continue to travel to Baja California without showing dishonor to
victims of crime, accidents, corruption, etc. in this part of Mexico.
Touring is popular all over the world; one reason is “safety in numbers” – 50 people in a tour group are less likely to be robbed or harmed in that
group mode. Cruise ship passengers on excursions usually have that numbers thing and some security to boot. For most Nomads, crowds are to be avoided
– you wan’t to “get away from it all” and sometimes that’s all you need to have a good vacation, just being left alone. That makes you vulnerable –
you stand little chance in a roadblock, in a private plane on the taxiway, alone in your camper on a deserted beach in Mexico.
I think you could change the word Mexico in the sentence directly above to any country in the world. Weekends, vacations, relocations all have
inherent risks no matter where you are headed – in some countries add war, insurrection, disease, lockdowns, takeovers, police actions, earthquakes,
strikes, sitdowns, sitins, Tsunamis and the heartbreak of soriasis.
The scores of new people I see around this part of Mexico seem bent on building new lives right here, right now. I see no one leaving. They are going
for the gusto – they have already found out about the mordida, drugs, corruption, robberies, burglaries, mayhem and Breakbone fever. They will stay
even though they fear the hurricanes, PROFEPA, the longliners, Inmigracion and skyrocketing taxi fees and propane costs.
Sharks, for your sake I hope some of these same kinds of folks make their way to your little town – they will stick through good times and bad like
they had no place else to go. As for me, I’ll watch the dollar die against the peso with fear and loathing in my heart but as low as it could get you
would still see a thousand miles of my fingernail marks in the sand when they drag me outta here.
Viva Baja California
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beachbum1A
Nomad
Posts: 442
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: |
---- The latest problem:
Very disturbing news. I was waiting for the confirmation. Thank you fellow Nomads. Ya know it's really getting to look like we really are going to
watch one anothers back(s).
The volume of opportunists and crazed druggies has really exploded in recent years. Rampant petty theft has replaced trade or favors it seems.
Mulege is getting hammered. This beautiful little town is vunerable in so many respects. Don't go away. My poor little town needs you.
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Sharksbaja, I want to understand your post but perhaps because I've only had a couple cups of coffee, I don't understand the "very disturbing news"
that you're pointing out. Are you generalizing the influx of undesirable persons and increase in crime, or is there something specific you're waiting
to comfirm?
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
Member Is Offline
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BRAVO OSPREY!!!! ++C++
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jodiego
Nomad
Posts: 319
Registered: 2-16-2007
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: ever hopeful
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| Quote: | | [Sharksbaja, I want to understand your post but perhaps because I've only had a couple cups of coffee, I don't understand the "very disturbing news"
that you're pointing out. Are you generalizing the influx of undesirable persons and increase in crime, or is there something specific you're waiting
to comfirm? |
I think Sharksbaja is referring to a story in the San Diego paper this morning on page 11 about some bandito's who held up an American family of 4
at the Mulege airport and stole their airplane. The family, including two daughers aged 6 & 8, were in the plane getting ready for takeoff when
the gunmen stormed the plane, forced them out, set fire to a car, and flew off in the plane. See the Baja News section for more details.
[Edited on 4-16-2008 by jodiego]
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | you would still see a thousand miles of my fingernail marks in the sand when they drag me outta here.
Viva Baja California |
Yeah....what Osprey said! My fingernail tracks would be right along side yours!
In my mind there's a big difference between those of us who live here full-time & those who occasionally have to run the gauntlet through the
worst crime & problem areas. I believe that people who live here have a different mindset & are less likely....for the most part....put
ourselves into questionable areas or situations (gnu would be the exception!). We aren't on vacation, we know our areas & have a better
feel for what/where to avoid totally or at any given time. But I doubt that any of us are foolish enough to believe nothing bad can happen here/to
us/in our back yard. I feel as safe here as I did anywhere in OR & WA; but I definitely wouldn't relocate to TJ/Rosarito/Ensenada! But that's just me....before I get flamed, I know that many Nomads live in those
areas & do feel safe because they know where/when to avoid.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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Osprey's observations certainly ring true for many................but probably not any with children or grandchildren whom they had hoped would come
down to visit them in their new Baja digs. For those folks, they probably cant justify the risks to the kids against an attitude of "hang in there at
all costs for the sake of the good locals". Some have much more to lose than others.
I am not passing judgement on this...........just an observation.
Much of Baja has me deeply concerned. That's one of the reasons why we have made a choice to settle over on the mainland. For some strange reason that
I cant explain, the incidence of any aggravated assault, murder, kidnapping, robbery is virtually non-existent around the San Carlos, Sonora area. Not
that there isnt a fair amount of burglary and car theft, mind you, but that's everywhere. And yet there is very little military presence in the town
except the few soldiers near the main marina. This comes from observing news accounts and the message boards over there for the past 4 years or so.
I dont get it but I'm not complaining. Maybe there are better paying jobs over here. Maybe the police and military have been more proactive. And yet,
there is no doubt that Sonora is a state where a significant amount of drugs are shipped through.
I think the frontera mentality makes it way quite far south into Baja. Idle time is the devil's workshop and many are turning to drugs. That, and the
proximity to the SoCal megalopolis, means that human and contraband cargo can disappear much quicker when it crosses the border. The Sonoran border is
all desert and a challenge once it even gets across the border. Baja (and Chihuahua, of course) appears to be the focus of the cartels now.
[Edited on 4-16-2008 by Hook]
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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Well said Corky...There are tweekers in San Nicolas now, and for the first time I worry about my property. I trust my "good" neighbors though and
believe that they will be harder on a miscreant than the law would be.
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Mulege and her citizens will do just fine. These things come and go. The fine people of Mulege will take it all in stride.
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bajaboolie
Nomad
Posts: 277
Registered: 9-24-2007
Location: Aptos, CA/Mulege
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
Mulege and her citizens will do just fine. These things come and go. The fine people of Mulege will take it all in stride. |
I understand and appreciate your sentiment, but I hope they don't take it in stride.
Bajaboolie
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaboolie
| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
Mulege and her citizens will do just fine. These things come and go. The fine people of Mulege will take it all in stride. |
I understand and appreciate your sentiment, but I hope they don't take it in stride. |
Right on, Boolie. They need to be proactive in stopping this mayhem, and it ain't that hard to do if most cooperate.
Barry
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Barry A.
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaboolie
| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
Mulege and her citizens will do just fine. These things come and go. The fine people of Mulege will take it all in stride. |
I understand and appreciate your sentiment, but I hope they don't take it in stride. |
Right on, Boolie. They need to be proactive in stopping this mayhem, and it ain't that hard to do if most cooperate.
Barry |
And how is that Barry. I have yet to see a country that has stopped it yet.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
Member Is Offline
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Right on George. It is a mecca for those seeking respite. I want to thank you for keenly addressing that.
There is a new more brazen element plying Baja. It is interesting to note that these thugs are using a well-thought out methadology for crimes.
A pilot is usually someone with brains and trained in flying.Hear that Mike! With that in mind I would suggest and suspect that since this was a
successful hijack it will probably happen again somewhere else. It is quite possible the same perps stole that plane up in Puertocitos.
There are ways of getting an upper hand on these elements. Of course little impact will come from the concern of Gringos. It is a Mexican problem and
should be administered as such.
The safety net is there like you say George when groups are large enough to be a deterent. On the other hand, why would desparados be out in the
boonies unless they followed you there. Seems like if you get out there far enough the odds of someone being a bad guy greatly deminish.
My feeling is that this will too pass as has the bad weather. There are many little banditos around, always has been. It's these baddasses that give
all the little guys a bad name.
The folks who are supposed to reign in the bad guys are not doing their job. They surely know much of what goes on in their small communities.
I understand that with the correct amount of money and the correct friend in power many crimes are solved fast. There has to be a good reason to go
after these people.
Can we expect the same attention for the same crimes we acknowledge. I really doubt it.
Now, suck it up and go to Baja.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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What I thought I was saying is exactly what Sharks has eloquently said, and I totally agree.
But I do think that a community can get a handle on petty and major crime in their environs by taking action whenever they see something------and
often folks just don't do that. The cops cannot do it alone------they need the help and cooperation AND PRESSURE of the community.
The airplane hyjack is a freaky situation, and outside the ability of any small town to control, IMO.
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