Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
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Settlers
Nomads vs Settlers
When I first registered as a “Nomad”, about three years ago I had already been retired eight years down here, had “lurked” for awhile so I knew the
format, some of the regular posters.
Now my health, my age, my lifestyle keeps me close to my hammock and although I enjoy reading true Nomad adventures on the board I do little traveling
myself. (maybe a lot of mind-traveling)
And so it goes – over time many Nomad members enjoy their adventures, vacations, fishing trips in Baja California so much that they just have to spend
more time here, often buy a second home here or retire here completely.
So the healthy caravanseri continues; a steady stream of people settling here while others find the place, find ways to enjoy its wonders. I hope
there will never be a need for two forums: Nomads and Settlers. As a settler I’ll try to keep up even though I can’t regale you with tales of a
brand new wonder I discovered in some place where no one has ever laid a footprint. We settlers perhaps can hold our own by keeping the forum up to
date on what’s new, what’s changing; things we see every day that you wanderers might miss. I for one will promise to save others wear and tear by
revealing all the mistakes and pitfalls that awaits the unprepared – I’ve made enough mis-steps to fill several books.
Maybe, if you divers, surfers, wanderers will allow, some of us old hands can get some stickers that mark our place. Something like “All Baja, All
the Time”.
Wanderers can take heart now, knowing some of us out here enjoy your reports, love to see yesterday’s photos of places we haven’t visited in decades;
see the places through your eyes, see the changes there – good and bad. We’ll thank you new Nomadic types to remember it wasn’t us that caught all
your fish – we were proud Nomads once and, like you, we wouldn’t think of it.
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
Member Is Offline
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Seahawk
I, too, enjoy reading about all the new adventures that I am not taking. Thanks guys for all the trip reports. I find that I read little else now.
As I read your post, I looked up at the ads and saw...Baja Wide Open...so I went to their website to check it out. It appears that you can now do
your very own Baja1000 without the mess of others nor the need to finish first over the line....just stay with the group and glide over the line. I
am not putting down this company, I just found it ironic and a wonderful compliment to your post.
Although for different reasons(we now own a business and actually have to work..:barf my adventures are limited. To add insult to injury, I lost most of my photos. I figure that I just have to start over and do everything
again......when, I couldnt tell you.
thanks for your insight which is, as usual, right on.
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FARASHA
Senior Nomad
Posts: 848
Registered: 6-3-2006
Member Is Offline
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I think a NOMAD is not only a person who wanders physically around, a Nomad is a mental state first of all.
And as long as this mind is wandering, is exploring - there is a NOMAD.
Jorge - YOU are far from being a SETTLER!! with greatest respect >f<
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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Settlers---very important!
I can't think of a better source of infomation about certain areas of Baja then from the Settlers.
Please don't even THINK about going away.
Diane
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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I too have settled in Baja.
I've long been aware that the "Weekend Warrior" Nomads, and the Vacationing Nomads know a lot more about the whole of Baja than I ever will, I know
more of the local area than most of the peninsula travelers. We each have information to offer to the other and can gain immeasurable from any
exchange. Got to have all kinds of Nomads.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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BajaHawk
Nomad
Posts: 122
Registered: 4-3-2005
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Member Is Offline
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Seems to me all you need to qualify is a fondness for Baja. I am always amazed at the wide range of folks who post here, and enjoy the info and
stories posted by people I may or may not have much in common with. There is room and purpose here for everyone who enjoys Baja.
As a "younger guy" who only gets a chance to experience Baja a couple of weeks a year...I appreciate and ENVY those who live there and share their
stories.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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Osprey,
I simply had to laugh as I read this post by a ‘settler.’ I follow all of your posts with great anticipation and am always rewarded when you reveal
your questing mind. I have to agree with Farasha, your nomadic mind trips more than qualify you as a true Nomad for life.
While we have never met we are of about the same age and were both blessed with having known Don Jimmy Smith………..now there was a guy with the spirit
of a Nomad and one who was seeking for new knowledge until the very end.
I think that when is all said and done all that is necessary to find a few good nuggets is to blow the dust off a few of us old folks. Not
discounting you younger people who all of us non-wandering wanders use to see the ever changing Baja through your eyes, pictures, and words.
As with you, I now do most of my traveling upon my own 'Magic Flying Serape' which is fueled by high grade tequila. It is capable of moving through
time and there is NEVER a wait at the border.
Thank you all!
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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baja is all about the people you meet. nomadic or permanent, doesn't matter. we all share that sense of discovery, wonder, and excitement while in
baja.
some folks look for solitude and others can tolerate "neighbors". who's to say anyone's decisions are better or worse.
can't wait to get back on the nomad trail....
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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Bajasedentary.com
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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Now even though most of my time in Baja and mainland Mexico is no longer than 2 weeks at a time I have found the Nomads most informative. I too will
be a settler in about a year from this August and can not wait. However, when I first retire down in Mexico I plan to be a Nomad in travels and
spirit so I have memories like Baja Bernie (I met him once in San Diego and enjoy his tales and information, just a great guy to know). I enjoy the
posts and look forward to meeting more and more Nomads. Later---bajafun777
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Stickers
Senior Nomad
Posts: 572
Registered: 4-12-2006
Location: SoCal
Member Is Offline
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Osprey, I think that almost all who travel to Baja fantasize about someday living there and becoming a settler.
Many years ago it was 'dirt cheap' and that was attractive, but today it seems different. Is it craving a simpler way of life? Is life simpler living
there? Maybe the allure of a foreign land, or just escaping the 'rat race' that we run everyday here?
I am very interested in what attracted the settlers to make such a big change in their life. Cant just be the weather? Cant just be fishing? Well
maybe for some.
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
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It has been wonderful for me to be part of a forum of people who love the Baja. Our recent three month trip was peopled by Nomad who have now become
friends. Your writing has amazed and entertained me. Such august company here. Friends in low places.
I found the current information invaluable as we traveled. The tips I received on this forum cut through a lot of crap and put me into some wonderful
places, fish and Lobsters! I have spent year dreaming of moving to Mexico and it is wonderful to be a part of peoples real life considerations and
experiences of actually doing just that.
Some stories here have raised the hair on my neck, some moved me deeply and some pulled my leg so hard I farted! The trip reports, slobbering dogs and
all, have been a pleasure. How about those photos on this site! Some of the best I have ever seen.
It is a pleasure to see the photos of places now dear to my heart. It is wonderful to read the trip reports of places I have been and experiences I
have not had. This internet has made this sort of personal connection possible, something not available in my youth. What an opportunity to learn!
We have a sticker on our RV that says "Got Baja!" and one flew off that was pasted on it by some graphic designers we met in Ojo Libros, it had a
dinesour watching the stars! They put it there just for fun and cause they liked our vibes. There is majic in Baja, mystery, passion and violence.
This is the place where I learn about it all. So much Baja and so little time.
Iflyfish
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy!
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Hey all you settlers--don't stop exploring just because you're getting on in years. My old friend Myron Smith(Taco de Baja's Dad) literally was four
wheeling up to his last days at 78 years old! Keep on keepin' on!
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
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Stickers, I can only speak for myself but changing countries was a big decision for me and lots of friends in Las Vegas said "You have big juevos". I
replied, "No, you do, for staying". In my 34 years of working I never realy developed a healthy work ethic -- work was just a pain, a way to get a
little money, to keep going. The money I earned just bought me a little freedom to fish/travel/camp. I was always happiest when I had no money in my
pocket because I don't like money, never used it to buy anything much that enriched my life so, finally, por fin, I get to live my life with shorts
that have no pockets. I don't carry money, don't use it, don't have to chase it, have enough to pay my bills and have a little extra now and then
left in the jar. Just right for me. No body around here cares if you have money or not. The big deal is that I no longer have to worry about money.
Sometimes when I walk the beach here with my dogs I think about the many millionaires who wish they were by my side but cannot give up the chase --
some of them will die before they reach the ribbon at the finish line. So far I've squeezed in 12 glorious years and have no regrets.
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
Member Is Offline
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I moved here because I was sick of working for the bank, the insurance company, the city of Berkeley, the state of California...etc.
Moving to Mexico was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I love it here.
As soon as this new business can run itself, we will be back in the camper exploring...I certainly have not given up my sense of adventure just having
to rein it in for a few years.
The year before we moved down here I went to my high school reunion in SC. When I told people that I was moving to Mexico, to a person, they
said...New Mexico. I said nope the real one. Most just shook their heads.
This is not the first time I have sold everything and moved on. It is a cleansing that gives you a new awareness of what is important...it certainly
isnt all those THINGS that you have collected. That said, I now have a whole new set of THINGS but I appreciate my life much more. In other words,
I am thankful.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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As soon as this new business can run itself, we will be back in the camper exploring...I certainly have not given up my sense of adventure just having
to rein it in for a few years.
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There are lots of different kinds of adventure and I think you are living an adventure right now. 
Diane
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