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DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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No we are not wealthy
Another personal reflection of life in Bahia Asuncion
No, we don’t have many casas; we are not rich Americans, just retired teachers. Those words fell empty onto the ground. It is a perception, a
comparison, and by his standards we are wealthy.
The idea that not so many years ago, one of us was leaving a marriage in bankruptcy and the other only avoiding bankruptcy with the help of a small
inheritance was meaningless. By his standards, we are wealthy.
They arrive on time every morning, 8 a.m. sharp and they work hard. Well a couple of them seem to work more than the others. The beer is not openly
consumed, but the cans left behind are many. By late in the day, much has been consumed. We know, however, our guest room and bodega, will be just
fine, and we will recycle the beer cans with the guys working on the garbage truck.
The questions came from the worker who appears to have more experience---yes, he has worked in Punta Chivato before building for gringos. They were
rich and have many homes, just like he is sure we do.
No amount of protestation will ever convince this worker otherwise. He knows we are the new wealthy norte Americanos in town. We struggle with what
to think and feel. We cannot apologize for the hard work that has brought us to a place in life where our children will not have to support us, even
in a home. And we cannot apologize for the war of 1848, even though Abraham Lincoln opposed it. But there are our lingering doubts and questions,
both sprinkled with undefined guilt.
Compared to other parts of Baja, our gringo home is very modest, but not so modest here in Bahia Asuncion. As people, we are no better than any of
the workers---we just have different skills. We feel slightly adrift upon the sea of the unknown. Adjusting and the fine-tuning of the search for
identity continues. We hope they understand it is not so emotionally easy for us. Then again, we know our next meal will be on our table.
Diane and John
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Russ
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Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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Shades of God and Mr. Gomez
and not everyone in Chivato has a lot of money..... either
Good luck. Sodas NO beer until after work.
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rts551
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Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
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Wealth can be viewed in many ways.... The locals will figure out before long where your wealth lies and act accordingly
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bajajudy
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Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Dont worry about this. There is nothing you can do to change the perceptions. We have lived in a barrio for over 8 years and I am sure that we still
look like rich americans to my neighbors. BUT we are all friends and we share any bounty that we have....fish, from a successful fishing trip, mangos
that we cannot possibly eat , warm tortillas just made by my lovely neighbor, Maria, etc.
Your actions will prove who you are.....but you will still be a rich american.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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They know that we are all rich
because we come from where many of them wish to find their riches............and that only because no one knows their own countries short coming as
they do because they have labored in spite of it for so long.
Wrote this a while back.
A Path of Perceptions
By Bernie Swaim
Two men meet on the path of life, one heading south, the other going north to Otra Lado.
Approaching they nod politely, and smiling, greet each other. “Buenos dias. Como esta es usted?” “Muy bueno y usted?” Their shared language exhausted
one looks at the ground while the other watches a cloud float by. Looking up the man with the battered white hat asks the guy wearing the baseball
cap about his health. The blonde guy responds by asking after the darker man’s family. All of this is said without a spoken word. Simply a smile, a
gesture, a nod, and a wave. A shrug of the shoulders. A laugh and a handshake. Nothing more is needed.
This is Baja!
Parting, one trudges north as the other ambles south. Both man seeking a new and different life. One’s hope is for a decent job and a way to provide
for his family’s future. For the other it is a dream of peace and contentment in a land where time has little meaning and the sun almost always
shines.
Acknowledging and celebrating each other’s sameness and differences—these men have found the meaning of Baja.
Dreaming, Sharing, and Caring.
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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bacquito
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Mood: jubilado
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My wife, a fine Mexican women from "Chilanga Land" (Mexico City), got mad at me the other day. She was looking at some lots and a sales agent ask who
I was and I responded that I am her husband. She feels that the min- ute it is known that she is married to a Gringo the price goes up to her.
She prefers that it is thought by sales people that she is may maid.
bacquito
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 9-27-2006
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Bernie,
That is a beautiful piece! In that story they both are rich.
Thanks for sharing that.
Ken
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TMW
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Wealth is often a matter of perception. When the Mexicans see Americans coming down with their new cars and pickups and motorhomes, off road vehicles,
staying in the hotels and eating in the better resturants etc. what else would one think they would think. If an American doesn't have cash they have
a credit card. Normanly poor Americans don't travel to other countries. In the U.S. you may be a middle class or even lower middle class but you have
more in terms of physical goods than an average Mexican family.
Years ago in Colonet near at the sand dunes Chinese Tony had a bucket of lobster and we were hagling over the price when he said to me. "You have a
job and get paid every week, I get paid only when I sell these lobster, if I don't have any lobster I go without money". He was right and we agreed to
a price a little more to his favor.
I think we should treat eveyone with dignity and fairness and respect. A Mexicans perception of Americans will be based on this. We may have more that
they in financial terms but friendship, and family values are the great rewards in our relationship.
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Mood: gone fishin'
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bacquito
My wife, a fine Mexican women from "Chilanga Land" (Mexico City), got mad at me the other day. She was looking at some lots and a sales agent ask who
I was and I responded that I am her husband. She feels that the min- ute it is known that she is married to a Gringo the price goes up to her.
She prefers that it is thought by sales people that she is may maid. |
She is right about that. There are certain high ticket items such as old cars, land, used large goods, second hand ice chests...that only Francisco
can "buy" or find out the price on then I come up from behind and pay. Its almost like a game for us and we love the looks on their faces when he
says he'll buy and I whip out the wad. 
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bacquito
My wife, a fine Mexican women from "Chilanga Land" (Mexico City), got mad at me the other day. She was looking at some lots and a sales agent ask who
I was and I responded that I am her husband. She feels that the min- ute it is known that she is married to a Gringo the price goes up to her.
She prefers that it is thought by sales people that she is may maid. |
I am very conflicted here...on one hand I want to rent your wife, because I know there are two standards...but then I more then agree with TW. Just maybe it break into difference in what the product is....damn I hate this
feeling.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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bacquito
Super Nomad
Posts: 1615
Registered: 3-6-2007
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Mood: jubilado
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"We cannot apologize for the hard work that has brought us to a place in life where our children will not have to support us, even in a home. And we
cannot apologize for the war of 1848, even though Abraham Lincoln opposed it. But there are our lingering doubts and question sprinkled with undefined
guilt"
I have met people who critize the U.S. for the 1848 war and the robbing of the area that is now known as the America Southwest. Some also feel that
the poverty in Mexico is due to us taking Mexico's land.
If a country is going to declare a piece of land "theirs" they had better provide services and protection to their declared land and its people. Very
little attention was given by Mexico to this vast area. You can't just place a banner in an area and declare it yours.
I have also read during this time period that Russia and England were interested in taking at least California.
In regards to the poverty in Mexico, Mexico has benefited from us developing the Southwest. I believe alot of Mexico's problems of poverty and corrupt
government stem from the hundreds of years of occupation by Spain,. They entered Mexico not to develope it but to rob it and send its riches to Spain.
But on a positive note I have seen alot of changes in Mexico in the 30 years I have traveled this great area.
Thank heavens our forefathers came to America to develope a more just country rather than to rob it
bacquito
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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"I have met people who critize the U.S. for the 1848 war and the robbing of the area that is now known as the America Southwest. Some also feel that
the poverty in Mexico is due to us taking Mexico's land. "
This is crap...If Mexico had acquired all of the America's(and held it) it would still be Mexico and the people would still be poor...and they would
all speaking German
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bacquito
You can't just place a banner in an area and declare it yours.
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Sure you could
| Quote: | Originally posted by bacquito
They entered Mexico not to develope it but to rob it and send its riches to Spain.
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How was England different? Why the revolution? "Taxation without representation" - doesn't that sound like robbing.
| Quote: | Originally posted by bacquito
Thank heavens our forefathers came to America to develope a more just country rather than to rob it |
Tell that to the Native Americans. BTW, I just saw one of the episodes of "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee". It was quite good. Didn't know that Sitting
Bull met his end over there.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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try arriving by small private plane. i'm not rico by most current standards, a working stiff when i can get it - life of a contractor....... often
guys wheel in with diesel pushers and nice boats or land dingies attached, to the trailer park next to my palapa. The $$ they have into their setups
can be easily 3-5 times and more what i have tied up in a small aging single eng. 4 seater - but the mind set about airplanes in the local's minds is
planes = mucho dinero, and it transfers in how they all want to deal with you.
i don't give a crap tho. i have many mexican friends and help them when i can. when i can't get for them or give them something they want, i don't
and ask if something else might work. no biggie, sometimes they give you a funny look that says, but amigo - you have that plane out there.....
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 |
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65303
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Very nice post Diane & John!
Will you guys be in Asuncion next week?
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Bajajorge
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Posts: 2604
Registered: 10-13-2005
Location: Topaz Lake, NV/San Felipe
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I love watching the Mexican laborers work. OSHA would have a heart attack watching those guys.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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I often wonder
why this happens to such lovely threads.
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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Minnow
Banned
Posts: 1110
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Lost Wages
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Mood: Embarrased Harry Reid is a Nevadan
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jdtrotter
As people, we are no better than any of the workers---we just have different skills. |
Like, Nunchuk skills, bow hunting skills, and computer hacking skills.
Proud husband of a legal immigrant.
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Barry A.
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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I will long remember when eating in a restaurant in El Rosario when I mumbled in complaint about the price of one item I had consumed--------the very
nice waiter got a huge grin at my comment and said, "hey amigo, es cheap for you", at which time all my friends broke into a huge laughing agreement
binge----me being the butt of the joke!!!
Taught me (again) a huge lesson-------everything is relative!!
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DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Very nice post Diane & John!
Will you guys be in Asuncion next week? |
Most likely unless we leave for a day for Vizcaino. Want to be here for the fiesta in the middle of August.
If you do go the the other side, the cool weather here will feel good!
John and Diane
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