| Pages:
1
2 |
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
A Comic Book It is What It is View of Baja
This is long and a sharing of some personal thoughts. There are no universal truths, no astounding insights, nor pretense that others agree, or need
to understand, or need to agree, just a very long personal clarification of the latest chapter in our lives. So read at your own risk. OK, it is a
cloudy lazy morning, and I feel like writing.
An apology is due for my fit of anger that left, as Grover well pointed out, an orphan thread, and I did not even take the time to give it an
appropriate name. Not as an excuse, but as a reality, I had just received devastating about a very good friend, the type of illness news that
produces flashes of anger before acceptance. I took my anger out on the first thing available, and struck out against an anonymous name on the board;
a name behind which a person hides, a person I would not care to know.
Yes, I said I was leaving, but then at the end, I said I spoke too soon---even after some agreed that I should go. I have not yet joined Forum
Anonymous. I will, however be far more selective as to which threads I read. So, instead, I found some things to think about in the criticisms;
things that speak to our views about living in Baja, and about our perceptions of Mexican culture, as it exists in this part of Baja.
I say perceptions of Mexican culture, because IMHO, no one really ever FULLY understands a culture unless they were born and raised in the culture.
One can become fluent in the language, marry, and live for many years in a foreign culture and still not fully understand all the nuances. When
fluent in a language, one can accurately translate what is written, but miss what is behind the words; meaning that will be understood by members of
the culture. While we may never fully understand, we enjoy the formal and informal study of other cultures. Even living in Calexico was a study of
another culture, border culture, one that is neither American nor Mexican, but a unique combination. We also know that while we make friends, we will
always be the outsiders; it is like that in small towns everywhere.
It Is What It Is, that statement that some said was irresponsible and perhaps left a perception of being a Pollyanna, is really a statement of
survival and acceptance of things over which we have no control. Local occurrences and or cultural ways that we at times find difficult to accept, or
at least accept with a smile,
Person is coming to the house at 2 p.m. and after we have sat around waiting for four hours, we are apt to be irritated and feel it is controlling our
lives. No, if they are late, and we want to leave and do other things, we do so. If they need us, they will find either in town, or later and no
one is upset. The different concept of time Is What It Is, and instead of controlling us, we have learned to live within its bounds.
Work on a project was to be completed in two weeks, and for so ever many reasons, it is not. It Is What It Is, and blowing a gasket is not going to
change things. Not that we don’t push, now and again, but if there is no cement in town, there is no cement.
We have a lot of laundry to do and want to wash the truck---opps, the water is off again. It Is What It Is and may be off for many days, so things
wait.
We check all of the stores in town and can only find jalapenos that are more wrinkled than my skin, bunches of celery that droop in the shape of a U,
and lettuce that slips out of your hand, well, It is What It Is. When the produce truck arrives, like everyone else in town, we will keep checking as
to when they have unloaded and processed the bounty and then gorge on rabbit food.
When we turn on the water heater, the lights dim, and our hot and cold water for our kitchen comes from our guesthouse. It Is What It Is, and we are
not going to rewire or change the plumbing. Besides when the lights go up we know the water is hot, and when the city water goes out, out kitchen is
using water from a different tinaco than is our bathroom and laundry room.
So, is , It Is What It Is, irresponsible? In our opinion, no, it is just our survival phrase: it can bring smiles at times we might waste on being
angry.
So now, the Comic Book View. We do not like paying mordida, we know there is corruption, we know the drug cartels are destroying so much including
many innocent lives, we don’t travel on Highway 2000 because we respect Ferna’s knowledge, we stop to help people on the dirt roads here, but as
cautioned by our local villagers, we are far more careful as to when we stop on the paved road to Vizcaino, and on and on. I read the important “Bad
News Threads”and try to ignore the “Let’s Seek Something Else Negative About Mexico Threads.
But, we prefer to focus on that Comic Book View---think I like that name. It brings back pleasant memories and a vision of color, fun, friends, and a
good place to be. So we enjoy the skateboarding policeman, and the other police men and women whose pictures were added to that thread. We will die
from the heat in Vizcaino so we can share the warmth, happiness, disappointment, and friendship from the local bike club.
We will smile when we are headed out with a lobster fisherman and the navy is going out to patrol---well, actually, they were going out fishing for
dinner. We will take great pleasure in watching our furry pups enjoying their freedom on miles of deserted beaches, and in watching young children
learning to surf in front of our house. While frustrating and exhausting, we will continue to enjoy a meal at a friend’s home as we struggle to
communicate with their little bit of English, or little bit of Spanish, lots of hand language, at times drawings, and my translator. And all the
other good things on the Good Things about Baja Thread.
The Comic Book View is not a negative thing nor a denial of reality, IMHO. It is looking for and enjoying the good, enjoying all the reasons we are
here. So maybe we will adopt new names in honor of one of my old favorite comic books. John is blond with a red beard, so he can be Archie. Now, I
never liked Betty because I was not blond. So Archie, in my story, finally left Betty and took up with Veronica, the brunette---well I used to be a
brunette. (Hope I remember the names correctly, it has been so many years)
So to end this Comic Book View, here are a few pictures of last years fiesta as this years is coming soon and should even be better with the new
stadium. I apologize as some have been posted before, and I know that pictures can become shopworn, but to me, these so represent the colorful Comic
Book View, the spirit, life and much of what is right about at least this slice of Baja.
And no, life in Bahia Asuncion is not just one big fiesta, it is a place of hard working people, happiness with celebrations, sorrow with too many
premature deaths, economic struggles, family and political feuds, but Comic Books are not always happy in nature.
Diane
If you are anywhere near the area in the middle of August, I highly recommend the Fiesta at Bahia Asuncion
[Edited on 7-18-2008 by jdtrotter]
|
|
|
shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13050
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
|
|
thanks you for sharing your thoughts with us Archie & Veronica...I tell ya...unless my niño was in that bike race in Vizcaino...aint no way in
hates I'd suffer that heat to go just for the smiles...you are brave and dedicated souls and I salute you...I think Kevin kinda fits the Jughead
character in your comic book...hey maybe we can do an Asuncion
comic strip...love the idea! Here is a photo I'd like to add just for comic relief...everyones favorite beach dog...ready for a fish taco at the
Palapa restaurant which by the way has no menu!
|
|
|
BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
|
|
Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed reading it...
|
|
|
BMG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1776
Registered: 6-10-2007
Location: La Paz / Bahia Asunci�n / Away from home
Member Is Offline
|
|
I enjoyed the read. Keep posting those photos.
I think the world is run by C- students.
|
|
|
CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Peacefull
|
|
Great Photos !
Thanks for sharing.
CaboRon
|
|
|
BMG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1776
Registered: 6-10-2007
Location: La Paz / Bahia Asunci�n / Away from home
Member Is Offline
|
|
I think the world is run by C- students.
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by BMG
|
Now if I only looked like Veronica! Boy, her image has been updated . 
Diane
|
|
|
Keri
Super Nomad
Posts: 1393
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: La Mision, Baja Norte
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy contento
|
|
Good read, good photos
It was needed. Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy your writings. Some day Mike and I hope to visit you and Shari in Asuncion, Maybe sometime in Oct.
k
|
|
|
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
bien dicha
|
|
|
Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
|
|
John and Diane-
Thanks for sharing your real-life accounts and experiences. I do enjoy them.
Zac
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Keri
It was needed. Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy your writings. Some day Mike and I hope to visit you and Shari in Asuncion, Maybe sometime in Oct.
k |
October is usually one of the best months around here, so we are told and last October was great. Do visit.
Diane
[Edited on 7-18-2008 by jdtrotter]
|
|
|
ELINVESTIG8R
Select Nomad
Posts: 15882
Registered: 11-20-2007
Location: Southern California
Member Is Offline
|
|
Diane, keep putting out your stories and photos. I always enjoy what you put out in here
David
|
|
|
fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
|
|
|
Sallysouth
Super Nomad
Posts: 1835
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Capo Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: missing Baja...
|
|
Dianne,I so love the third photo of the proud Papa and I assume the Hija behind him!Beautiful and powerful.Thanks for your" It is What It Is."Keep writing, you have a wonderful talent!
[Edited on 7-18-2008 by Sallysouth]
Happiness is just a Baja memory away...
|
|
|
BMG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1776
Registered: 6-10-2007
Location: La Paz / Bahia Asunci�n / Away from home
Member Is Offline
|
|
fishbuck
I don't think Diane had that particular image in mind when adopting the Archie and Veronica characters. She is more than welcome to correct me if I'm
wrong.
I think the world is run by C- students.
|
|
|
Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3597
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
|
|
Loved the post.
Thanks for coming back and posting, Diane. Keep sharing your world.
|
|
|
fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
|
|
Well done
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
|
|
|
sylens
Senior Nomad
Posts: 584
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Ensenada
Member Is Offline
Mood: ando bajando
|
|
you struck several chords
with me. first, especially as you present it, i now hear "it is what it is" as an excellent translation of "ni modo," my favorite mantra, now that
we've lived here in ensenada full-time over four years.
your examples of appointments repeatedly broken are familiar to us, and the only real mystery remaining for me is why the h311 i cannot seem to learn
that It Is What It Is. ni modo. as we speak, we are finishing a major remodel and looking back, i am very glad we have survived as well as we did,
given all the santo luneses and the repeated postponements of tasks or products promised...you know the whole story. you've been, no er, you ARE
there. it is wonderful training in patience, for me. and maybe the greatest lesson for me to learn.
ni modo. it is what it is.
thank you for sharing. puts a smile on my face as i look forward to monday to find what the carpenter will say when i call him in the afternoon to
ask why he did not come as promised, first thing in the morning on monday.
finally, all the lovely sights and experiences you point out resonate with what we continually experience.
seeing groups of kids hanging out together and playing, aged from 2-18. amazing. the older take care of the younger and they all have a great
time.
hearing the claxons on water trucks and now easily differentiating them from those on the gas trucks.
smelling...tasting...feeling all the sensory delights that we never experienced when we lived en el otro lado.
moving to mexico has been the best, smartest, and healthiest thing we have ever done and we count our lucky stars on a regular basis for our wisdom
(ok, ok, unbelievably good luck) in having grabbed the opportunity to live our retirement dream.
thanks again for your words and photos ...
lili
|
|
|
fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
|
|
Ni modo is a good one and it's even better when accompanied by "Ya que".
Ni hablar is what my grandmother used to say.
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
|
|
|
Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Yeah !!
Diane and her pictures are back !! 
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
