| Pages:
1
2
3 |
thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3754
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy amable
|
|
Rosarita Beach- a bad scene as always
In recent years I have steadfastly refused to pull off into Rosarita, given the general decline in ambience, the traffic, and most of all the reports
of "action" by the various police entities. In fact, I made some very direct comments on that subject sometime back here on Nomad.
Well, last Saturday I broke my rule, since my buddy Bernie had suggested that I take my van full of first time visitors to El Nido for lunch.
Pulling off the cuota I had that old sinking sensation of dread. I even turned to my passengers and said, "I want you all to know that I generally do
not like going into this place- I used to always stop at the wonderful churro bakery and a quick tour of the hotel for first timers, but it has just
gotten out of hand."
Well, exiting near the RB hotel I headed North on the main street, spotted El Nido, but did not want to dive across lanes with a stretch van filled
with 11 folks, so went on past and took the first convenient left. The van was too long for a safe and quick U-turn so I went down the side street a
block and stopped at the stop sign.
"Uh oh," I said to my smiling co-pilot, a first timer. "This does not feel so good. I bet this street is one way, even though there are no signs,
and I bet there is a cop hiding somewhere real close."
So, we gingerly made the left, onto the empty street, and sure enough, at the next intersection there was 'Un Sentido' on the post.
"Swell," I said, "here it comes."
We went back to the main street, turned and immediately the red lights filled my mirrors, just like I knew they would.
I hopped out, spread my hands in front and said, "lo siento" but the cop just took off on me. Then my wife, who was born in Mexico and hates to ever
go back, came on the scene and he really went off on us.
I don't pay mordida, so stood my ground, all the time smiling and apologizing to no avail.
Suddenly up drives a really neat guy, Armando Gonzalez, a local art dealer and news columnist. He asked about the facts and tried to intecede, which
made the cop even more steamy.
Eventually, to my amazement, the cop started to calm down, because Armando was clearly letting him know that here was a van full of visitors, planning
to visit several specific orphanages, and to try and get a better grip on Baja Cfa.
Finally the cop just jammed all the papers, license, etc. back and went on his way.
Why???? Why Rosarito, do you encourage this?
I won't be back, my friends won't be back!!!
Really nice people like Lupe Perez, who owns El Nido and was a most gracious host after the event was over, like Armando the art dealer, like my
favorite Panaderia in all of Mexico..... you all lose!
Because, I won't be back, and I will tell people not to go back.
Get on past and don't take a chance!
Sad. But that is the hard learned reality and I am sad to report it.
|
|
|
BAJACAT
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2902
Registered: 11-21-2005
Location: NATIONAL CITY, CA
Member Is Offline
|
|
BAJARUNNER
Im sorry for your bad exp. but that's typical in mexico,if stop going because of bad times with mex finess,there will be no tourissom in Baja,you got
to learn from previus running's with the law,whenm I get cops like that I just tell them,to take it easy that I wasn't aware of the problem,other wise
I wouldn't done it. kind off like playing dumm,they usually buy it.
BAJA IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE, FUN,DANGEROUS,INCREDIBLE, REMOTE, EXOTIC..JUST GO AND HAVE FUN.....
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
No, it's not typical of Mexico. Rosarito has gone over and above the line to establish themselves as the most abusive community in northern Baja.
The police are blood-suckers and the local government supports them. The local businesses tacitly support their abusive techniques as well.
Rosarito sucks.
Stay out.
Stay away.
|
|
|
Mike Supino
Nomad
Posts: 351
Registered: 10-16-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Baja Bernie
I am sorry that you didn't enjoy your short visit in Rosarito. Your brief comment about my very special friend Lupe was, in my judgement, way out of
context. |
So Bernie, please tell us more about "my very special friend Lupe"
Therianthropic
|
|
|
abreojos
Nomad
Posts: 168
Registered: 2-9-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
More people per square mile = more problems per square mile. Same pie, just more slices.
|
|
|
Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
|
|
Oh Good Grief, I am Sick of This
Rosarito is not a dangerous place to visit unless you are a stupid, not-observing-caution idiot visitor that expects Disneyland nanny care.
It is a third world economy and if you show up with all the shiny toys that Americans like to drag across the border, then, yes, the various observers
will be tempted.
Park your vehicle where you can watch it and keep your wallet/purse where you can see it.
You are a lot safer in Rosarito than in New York, London or Paris when it comes to pickpockets.
End of rant.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
|
|
|
Mike Supino
Nomad
Posts: 351
Registered: 10-16-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
I believe that everyone is refering to the "Old Rosarito Beach" Fun, safe with great beachs and food.
Not the current status with the crowding and problems with the police and "dip sh*t" tourista's
JMHO
Therianthropic
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Where can you park your vehicle where you can see it? What does that mean? What you're saying is that in snake-pit Rosarito, your property is only
safe if you can see it. What happens when you have to take a leak?
Rosarito has more invisible stop signs than I have ever seen , or not seen, anywhere.
Yeah, Paris may have more pickpockets but the police in Rosarito dont have to do that. They just say,"empty your pockets".
I lived there for two years and saw my fill of police abuse.
Jeezo, you people who try to legitimize and sympathize with Rosarito cops are pathetic.
Open your eyes.
|
|
|
Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
|
|
Dear Dennis,
I have been shopping and parking in Rorsarito two or times a week for eight years without ANY problems.
I have never been stopped by the local police and have never had a problem with my car (Hint: Make freinds with the parking lot guards)
May I suggest you take the time to learn a little about the place you are driving through before condemning it?
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Oh yeah ..... I had a car like that a while back.
|
|
|
vacaenbaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 641
Registered: 4-4-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
The street signs in Rosarito, especially for side streets are a
JOKE in any language or country. There is seems to be no rules that regulate their location, placement, or height. You cannot trust that you are
going the right way because of which direction the cars are parked either.
I understand Spanish quite well and the things that I have
heard in conversations when the police pull someone over
are not about public safety or to further justice. It is more like
how are we going to milk this "cow" muchachos?, and nowdays girls too. I have had one way and stop signs pointed out to me by police that are on 2nd
story buildings. On both occasions
I was able to argue in spanish that their non standard sign
placement is at fault. It is a great mechanism however to
check to see if the offending party is drunk. Then they will
impound your car and take you to jail while they wait and see if they can draw your blood for a blood alcohol.
This happend to a friend of mine that mistakenly went the wrongway. He had had ONE beer with us for lunch and we were getting ready to leave. He was
given the Rosarito
"field breathalizer test" Which is the cop has you blow on your registration while he evaluates THE VOLITILITY OF
your exhalled breath. MY friend was peeed and the guys that
were towing his car away were already arguing in spanish on
who was going to get what off of the car. They did not want to set bail. He was only released when it was determined that the doctor whos was to draw
the blood was out on an emergency. This happened circa mid eighties.
maybe a lot has changed since then. But I always drive through there slowly and alert.
|
|
|
Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
|
|
Sounds like a fun place.  
|
|
|
Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
I make a few rules for myself when visiting Rosarito. First off, I budget at least an hour of drive time to get through. I slow down and stop at
every intersection - stop sign or not. I'm serious, and surprisingly nobody has honked at me for driving so slow and stopping everywhere. If I can't
find a good parking spot (one of the ones on the main drag), I don't stop. I don't have anything worth stealing, and my VW bus is a piece of junk. And
hopefully leaving my new guard dog in the van will help as well. I'm glad you didn't get a ticket and a fine. I would have considered that a victory.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65304
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
I zip in to Tacos el Yaqui and out pretty easily... but that's not in a stretch van.
|
|
|
Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
Not dangerous just dumb.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Rosarito is not a dangerous place to visit unless you are a stupid, not-observing-caution idiot visitor that expects Disneyland nanny care.
|
Unless you are 18 and enjoy binge drinking, avoid Rosarito. With the exception of two restaurants and two taco stands there is nothing worth
visiting.
|
|
|
capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
|
|
i agree, the place is a pit.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
|
|
Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
Member Is Offline
Mood: wait and see
|
|
The last time I went that way on the way out from Ensenada, I got off the cuota at Popotla only to find the Deli closed. No pastrami I had heard that Rosarito had some good places for colonial or "rustico" furniture,
so I stayed on the libre. Big mistake. That traffic is insane. Big City people may be used to it. I'm not. I did spot a couple likely furniture
places but NO parking spaces and almost no way to change lanes. With lost bearings and white knuckles, trying to avoid hitting anyone or getting hit,
I somehow made it on surface streets all the way through TJ until I found the cuota to Tecate & Rumorosa and could breathe again.
I have reason to try again to reach the Deli when hopefully it's open, but I'll try the new Dos Mil. I don't know what to do about the furniture, but
the only way I'm going through downtown Rosarito again is with my eyes closed, under the influence of some kind of stupefactant and with someone else,
preferably a local Mexican, doing the driving.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
|
|
|
Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
|
|
Dave
Your place is not a restaurant nor a taco shop so should I quit stopping by?
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
|
|
|
Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
While technically within the municipality
| Quote: | Originally posted by Baja Bernie
Your place is not a restaurant nor a taco shop so should I quit stopping by? |
We are as much a part of Rosarito as San Quintin is of Ensenada. 
Besides, down here the bears are tame.
Cause I feed 'em.
|
|
|
Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
Member Is Offline
|
|
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
