| Pages:
1
2
3 |
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
Some of the reasons things have changed is simply the increase in population over the last few decades. As for the crime thing, a little of it random,
and probably alot of it the economy.
|
|
|
bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
|
|
I began going down to La Mision in 2002. After a couple trips in a short period, I rented a house from a friend in 2003. Spending almost every
weekend, along with long 3 and 4 day weekends, vacation weeks, and any other time I could get away, I fell in love with my great view of the ocean,
river valley, and mountains. The people are great, fishing is awesome, and it is 2 1/2 hours from my prison( own an automotive shop for 20+ years). In
2005 I was introduced to a beautiful young doctor from Ensenada, by a friend whose family owns a cantina next to Anthony"s. For 2 years I spent EVERY
weekend in La Mision/ Ensenada courting my now wife. We have been to Mulege, San Bruno, Punta Chivato, drove to Cabo and back for our honeymoon. Slept
in my truck after getting lost up at Laguna Hanson in December( BBRRR- I'll never go back to Michigan). Slept on the beach in Santipac, parties in San
Quintin, brunches in the wine country off Hwy #3. I now lease a lot in the Ejido above La Mision. I know I am not full time, but the time is
approaching, just not fast enough!! Everyone, gringo and Mexican alike has done nothing but help convince me that Baja is my new home. My wife has a
large family, and they have accepted me as a member, most very happily. Yes, I still own a business and maintain a household in the states, though my
life and future, happiness and peace are deeply rooted in Baja. Things have changed since my first surf trip to K55 in 1974, but California, OC for
sure, has changed even more. We have had breakins at the Ejido, caught Senor Pozole, the acid guy, at Baja Seasons, a murder in La Salina, ect., ect.
I still feel safer, and more secure in my little house on the hill in La Mision. As soon as time allows, I will start my house on the cliff, and spend
my days relishing my little slice of paradise with the beautiful lady, and all the new and old things Baja has in store for us. I am 50 now. I just
wish I had started 25 years ago !!!
|
|
|
k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
"And there is no one to hear it, would it make a sound?"
An eternal question.
Us (U.S. and others - I am looking at you, good people from Canada!). expats have a lot to be grateful for, i.e., satellite internet and TV, so those
of you addicted to U.S. football can watch and those of you who want to communicate about the Baja experience can sign on to the community 24/7, and
put your ideas, thoughts, comments and questions out there to a very responsive, generally positively oriented environment.
I think I like it - except when I am being yelled at. 
|
That post made me think of a Big Yellow Taxi - "doncha know, ya don't know what ya got 'til it's gone......."
which comes into play here. Folks are remembering the good things that have disappeared and not seeing the good things that have come along.
Better roads
Better gasoline, electricity
Better communications
Better public transportation (buses)
More places to buy a bigger variety of food
Better living conditions and schools for the citizens
More jobs for the citizens
to quickly list a few.
I guess these don't matter to the rugged vacationer who enjoys roughing it, but if you live here, they're important.
And if the "outback" mode is for you, it's still here too.
|
|
|
bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
|
|
All very good points K-Rico. All things change. Some for the better, as you said, and some for the worse, as many others have stated as well. Life is
a big battery, don't be the negative post!!
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
It's all about trade offs. I still recall Ensenada in 1970. Like one paved road. Mucho mud after a rain. Don't even think about ice in your drink.
Just wondering. Taking Ensenada as an example. Go to the big Home Depot/ Walmart center. It this Mexico emulating the US? Or is this Mexico catering
to the US?
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
progress should be a 4 letter word.
call it what you will.....
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by k-rico
And if the "outback" mode is for you, it's still here too. |
When's the last time you wandered about out there?
Here....read this. I know it ain't Baja but it's the same idea.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Gods-Middle-Finger/Richard-...
|
|
|
Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks Dennis, always love a good read. Here’s one back at ya:
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, Another bit of lost history.
http://www.amazon.com/Lamb-GospelAccordingChristsChildhood/d...
I don't live in Ensenada, though I love the place and have been visiting there since the 1950's.
Urbanization inevitably brings change, congestion and the problems associated with places too large for people to know well their neighbors.
I have experienced similar change in the Santa Clara Valley, a place I lived for 18 years but now hardly recognize.
I recall clearly the year that the plastic bag was introduced into Mexico and the sisal bag and rebosso went the way of the Passenger Pigeon. From
that year on the landscape is littered with what look like dead sea gulls, decaying white detritus covers the land. I recall the first "Bimbo" bread
and the loss of the ubiquitous sound of the slapping hands making corn tortillas, don’t recall ever seeing wheat flour ones at that time, the thought
never occurred to me.
I would imagine that to those who are now moving to Santa Clara, or to Ensenada for that matter, find the location and environment wonderful,
particularly if they are leaving the north or mid west and the terrible weather that one experiences there.
Nature has provided Ensenada with a wonderful climate and a great location by the sea and at still reasonable prices compared to SoCal. Either of
those places beats the hell out of shoveling snow in North Dakota, sure and yu betcha! Ufda! If you want to see crime, try East Oakland, Compton or
Detroit etc. etc. Ensenada is a paradise compared to these places, though many love East Oakland, Detroit or Compton and would never, ever consider
leaving.
I cannot see through the eyes of someone falling in love today, I can well remember my falling in love and it was different then. The famed Greek
historian Herodotus said “No man ever steps into the same river twice”. So true, so true. The only constant is change and the only thing that really
exists is the ever present NOW. We can live in our heads in the past, but the reality of our lives is NOW.
Given different circumstances I would choose to live in Baja and probably in or near Ensenada due to many of the reasons already mentioned and I would
well appreciate the new Wal-Mart and Costco. I have grown to appreciate some of the finer things in life as I have matured and my tastes have evolved.
I appreciate that one can get ones cappuccino in Ensenada now a days. In the old days one could only get Folgers instant…yuck!!
Life is change and the train has left the station amigo. We had better find a way to enjoy the ride.
Iflyfish
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Iflyfish
The only constant is change and the only thing that really exists is the ever present NOW. We can live in our heads in the past, but the reality of
our lives is NOW.
|
Thanks, Rick. Good to hear from you and all above, well said.
I can't help think we're talking about different things when we mention "change." I understand moving with the flow of time and technology. I just
can't abide having my freedom denied by the power of a criminal industry that has become stronger than the society that it lives in. The thought of
"Who really controls my space" terrifies me.
Aside from that and in reference to your above statement, I wouldn't take anything for the memories of my past. They are a huge part of my present
life and will influence my future. If I hadn't done it, would I ever believe that I went to Puerto Vallarta in the sixties, met a beautiful girl
from New York and lived with her for six months in a Spartan casita overlooking Playas De Los Muertos on five hundred bucks? I enjoy that memory every
day. It's a big part of my NOW.
Thanks again, Rick.
[Edited on 10-13-2009 by DENNIS]
|
|
|
lizard lips
Super Nomad
Posts: 1469
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: EARTH
Member Is Offline
|
|
Ok Dennis. I want the complete story here. It is Baja related in that you are thinking about it-- in Baja.
|
|
|
k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by k-rico
And if the "outback" mode is for you, it's still here too. |
When's the last time you wandered about out there?
|
I was out in the sticks a couple of months ago, went to La Bufadora for a few hours. I bought a slingshot for a 10 year old friend of mine from one of
the 300 authentic Mexican rural tiendas along the walkway just past the 500 car parking lot.
Got to hand it to the folks that live out that way, very primitive. I saw only one OXXO, imagine that! 
[Edited on 10-13-2009 by k-rico]
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by k-rico
Got to hand it to the folks that live out that way, very primitive. I saw only one OXXO, imagine that!
|
And an almost gas station. The pyramids were built faster but, soon.
|
|
|
bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
|
|
As many great times in Ensenada go through my mind, I know I will not live in, or within several miles of Ensenada proper. It has grown much to loud
and obnoxious over the last 20 years. If I want traffic, sirens, alarms, crowds, hookers and druggies, I can stay in Socal. I would consider La Mision
a small rural community, close enough to enjoy the newer luxuries provided in Rosarito/Ensenada, yet far enough away to have some peace and solitude.
The majority of things I need are right in a couple markets on the old road, anything else, you have to drive for. I assemble most needed items by
several quick stops on the way in, and since getting married, no going to Ensenada evey week. My wife will drive in to see family, and get anything
we, or my neighbors may need. they prefer not being in the city as well. Now that 95% of the constuction has stopped at Punta Piedra, which is
directly between my lot and the beach, it is almost like old times again, for now. Waves and a few trucks from the toll road, that is it. Yes, it is
ejido land, with the same risks as always. One I am willing to accept for now. If it changes, so will I. I have years of exploring and fishing to do.
It will be in Baja. Next stop could be Mulege? My wife has family in San Bruno, and I hear good doctors are scarce in that area. Hey, I know about a
nice little automotive shop for sale in Orange County, anyone interested?
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by lizard lips
Ok Dennis. I want the complete story here. It is Baja related in that you are thinking about it-- in Baja. |
OK...I know. Sometimes my mind tends to wander beyond the perimeters. Sorry.
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
