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boe4fun
Super Nomad
Posts: 1040
Registered: 1-22-2006
Location: Margaritaville
Member Is Offline
Mood: Circling the drain........
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What great stories! Here's two more. Myself and 2 buddies pulled into Guererro Negro on a Sunday (Fathers Day). They both went into a restaurant while
I checked the bearings on my boat trailer. When I finished my chore I walked up to the front door of the restaurant but it was locked. My 2 friends
were inside with a large gathering of locals. The waiter sees me and directs me around to a side door which is unlocked. Once inside, I find out that
a family had reserved the entire place to honor their patriarch for Fathers Day. They fed the 3 of us, plying us with all the tacos we could eat, but
not allowing us to pay one peso. I had to insist that they at least allow me to buy a round of beers for the mariachi band!
#2: While on the way to Camp Gecko, me pulling my 5th wheel and my buddy pulling my Seaswirl on a tandem axel trailer, my friend, not being used to
driving on Mex 1 hits a cement birm and bends both rims on the outer lip of the starboard side of the trailer. He radios to me and I find a pullout
about 300 meters up on the left. We both stop, jack up the trailer and take off both wheels but I only have one spare. I'm getting ready to unhitch
my 5th wheel so I can drive back to El Rosario or San Quintin to find another rim and tire when an older Japanese pickup with 3 kids in the front seat
pulls up. The driver yells "pit stop" and gets out to assess the damage. "Me fix" he says and pulls out a sledge hammer from behind the bench seat.
He picks the better of the bent rims, places it on the pavement bent side up, and proceeds to beat the hell out of it, getting it back to a shape that
could hold a bead. Then, while me and my buddy and our wives watch in amazement, the pours some liquid into the inside of the tire. He straddles the
rim, stepping on the tire, flips in a match (the liquid was gasoline), and jumps off as the gas explodes and pops the tire onto the rim with a secure
bead. His buddy is ready with an air supply which works off of their 4 cylinder engine, and they fill the tire and have it back on the trailer pronto.
When I told him I wanted to pay him and said how much, he said just pay me what you want! He said he had worked on pit crews for the Baja 1000 for a
few years and learned a lot of tricks. I ended up giving the young man 20 bucks for his few minutes of work. People can talk all they want about
"Yankee Ingenuity", but personally I don't think the gringos have anything over the ingenious Mexicanos!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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We picked up our last tire helper walking along the road from Hwy 1 headed toward Coco's corner.
He was a few miles from the highway, and we knew he had a long walk where ever he was going, so we offered him a ride.
A few minute later, opps, that rock bit a big hole in the sidewall. The young man with us insisted on doing most of the work. We were not happy with
the tire, but we were very happy we had made the choice to offer the young man a ride.
As posted before, along the border is different and it seems that way for most everyone. I think a part of it may be that life just moves faster in
those areas.
A few years ago, we along with a friend, were returning home from an afternoon in San Felipe. Very near Mexicali we saw a Mexican lady with three
kids and a dog, and a very flat tire. It was summer time. As we passed, we noticed that no one was slowing down or stopping to help her. So we
turned around, and John and our friend changed her tire while she kept the young children off the highway and I babysat the little dog.
I really think it is that faster paced urban life border thing as to why no one was stopping.
Diane
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by jdtrotter
While we would hesitate anymore to stop and help someone near the border, and might be uncomfortable with someone stopping to help us near the border,
"help thy neighbor" is alive and well, IMHO, in most of Baja.
Diane |
I don't understand what you mean by "hesitate anymore" when you talk about near the border. Are you talking about right at the border while you
are waiting?
I was very touched by diver's post because what he experienced is what we do here, at least myself, and the people I hang out with, and I always try
to show this to my children. A few weeks ago after picking the up from school and we were comming down a hill, I spotted a car with two ladies that
were with theire car hood up stoped going uphill, I whent down quite a way to were I could make a u turn and headed up, my kids asked were are we
going and I said to help someone. The questions started, who? were? why? and I anwered 1 I don't know, 2 up the hill and 3 because it looks like they
need help. Turns out they had overheated, we whent got water for them and waited till theire car started and were on theire way. Just 2 days ago,
Thursday, again as we were comming back from school there was a van, again on the oposite direction with hood up and jumper cables out and the 2 guys
were flaging passing cars asking for a jump, now this was happening as i was waiting for the light to turn green and a lot of trafic and no one would
stop to help these 2 guys so after the second green I whent to the next available intersection were I could make a u turn and here go the questions
again were are we going? why are you turning? and so on and so on, and I answered that there was a van stoped back there that needed help and no
onewas stoping, so we were going back to help. We jump started the guy and he was on his way. I received a phone call from The Tijuana COTUCO and they
told me that a tourist from Kenya had e-mailed them telling them of how I had helped him when he had some trouble in avenida revolucion 2 weeks ago. I
have not had a chance to meet many Baja Nomads yet, but say you have trouble in Tijuana and I see you and stop to help, please don't be afraid or feel
uncnfortale, Tijuana is near the border and it's were we spend most of our time since we live here, so most likely it is were we will be able to help
someone, tourist or not. Maybe in the future my children (junior nomads) will be able to help yours near the border.
And if I was to need help near the border would my fellow nomads stop?
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by fdt
| Quote: | Originally posted by jdtrotter
While we would hesitate anymore to stop and help someone near the border, and might be uncomfortable with someone stopping to help us near the border,
"help thy neighbor" is alive and well, IMHO, in most of Baja.
Diane |
I don't understand what you mean by "hesitate anymore" when you talk about near the border. Are you talking about right at the border while you
are waiting?
I was very touched by diver's post because what he experienced is what we do here, at least myself, and the people I hang out with, and I always try
to show this to my children. A few weeks ago after picking the up from school and we were comming down a hill, I spotted a car with two ladies that
were with theire car hood up stoped going uphill, I whent down quite a way to were I could make a u turn and headed up, my kids asked were are we
going and I said to help someone. The questions started, who? were? why? and I anwered 1 I don't know, 2 up the hill and 3 because it looks like they
need help. Turns out they had overheated, we whent got water for them and waited till theire car started and were on theire way. Just 2 days ago,
Thursday, again as we were comming back from school there was a van, again on the oposite direction with hood up and jumper cables out and the 2 guys
were flaging passing cars asking for a jump, now this was happening as i was waiting for the light to turn green and a lot of trafic and no one would
stop to help these 2 guys so after the second green I whent to the next available intersection were I could make a u turn and here go the questions
again were are we going? why are you turning? and so on and so on, and I answered that there was a van stoped back there that needed help and no
onewas stoping, so we were going back to help. We jump started the guy and he was on his way. I received a phone call from The Tijuana COTUCO and they
told me that a tourist from Kenya had e-mailed them telling them of how I had helped him when he had some trouble in avenida revolucion 2 weeks ago. I
have not had a chance to meet many Baja Nomads yet, but say you have trouble in Tijuana and I see you and stop to help, please don't be afraid or feel
uncnfortale, Tijuana is near the border and it's were we spend most of our time since we live here, so most likely it is were we will be able to help
someone, tourist or not. Maybe in the future my children (junior nomads) will be able to help yours near the border.
And if I was to need help near the border would my fellow nomads stop? |
Ferna,
I should have been more clear. Our hesitation would mainly be on the toll road and it is because of all the things that we have read about
recently---not that we wouldn't stop, but we would be a lot more cautious than in the past.
I don't know if you read my last post, but only a very few years ago, we did stop to help a lady---flat tire, three kids and a dog. After we passed
her and saw no one stopping, we had to make a rather large loop to get back. By the time we got back, we expected to see others stopped to help, but
there was no one. I am sure that you would have stopped had you been there, but away from the border, lots of people would have stopped.
Tijuana is a great city, but unfortunately the drug problem has caused us to be far more cautious on BOTH sides of the border.
I sincerely apologize if my first post offended you in any way, and I look forward to meeting you in the future.
Diane
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LarryK
Junior Nomad
Posts: 99
Registered: 8-26-2003
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The kindness and loving fellowship of the Mexican people is one of the main reason a
I keep returning the last forty years. I used to have a place s/o Mexicali and spent a lot of time in the fields looking for birds etc; in those
early days without 4wheel dr. it was easy to get stuck. I have had people leave my site and return with a tractor or pull rope and always help.
Never take any money but I was asked to join them for coffee or just conservation. I never did master Spanish, but we can communicate very well when
needed
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by jdtrotter
I sincerely apologize if my first post offended you in any way, and I look forward to meeting you in the future.
Diane |
Ms. Trotter;
I wasn't offended, I understand that Americans live a lot of fears when traveling outside of the US and I know it's not your fault. I just wanted you
and all other nomads to know that near the border is Baja California and there are very, very, very few bad guys here in Tijuana, the vast, vast
majority are hardworking helpful people. Yes, were there are less people there are less bad guys. Once upon a time for about a month we had no police
force, Remember? And we were all just fine.
Just give us a little more credit and if one of us stops to help it wont mean that we are out to get you.
As for the toll road, I really don't have statistics as to how many people travel it daily, weekly or monthly and how many incients take place. I
think it's like flying, 100 dead, 200dead, 300 dead, those are real horror stories, with trying to put together body parts and all, and I'm not afraid
of flying and I'll even expose my kids to planes.
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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FDT,
I really agree with you, and we have traveled in every state in Mexico by car and or bus and have never done so with fear, except when a bus driver
began to fall asleep going down a mountain road. 
We also lived in Calexico for several years and spent a lot of time in Mexicali. Both sides of the border have been affected by the gangs and drugs,
and yes, the recent stories about the toll road have created more concern.
You are correct about the numbers, but I am afraid I laughed when you used the flying analogy----I HATE flying and am a basket full of nerves
everything I board an airplane. While I may drive the toll road with more caution, I am a fearful mess on an airplane.
We have many, many stories of being assisted from all over Mexico.
Sorry, if this has strayed from the topic of the great rescue stories in Baja. Hope more people will share their stories.
Diane
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Fatboy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 805
Registered: 6-28-2005
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I too have good stories about help received while on the 'road' in Baja.
During our trip in 2000 we were in La Paz with our Jeep Cherokee when the powersteering hose started leaking. We managed to find the local Jeep
dealership but they would have to order the hose.
We tried a couple of Auto parts store with no luck either. Then we started looking for 'Yonke' (sp?) and since we had no idea what we were looking
for it took a while to find one.
When we did find one they had several Cherokee's but no hose. They had someone lead us over to another juk yard. Once at the second yard we find out
that they had no hose either. With some disappointment I started wondering what we were going to do now when a young man came over and motioned for
us to follow him.
After following him for about 30 minutes through La Paz he pulls up to a small shop and gets the owner over to look at our problem. He told us no
problem. Before you know it they have the hose off and are repairing it. They get it back on and for a small fee we are on our way.
After 7 years that hose is still on there.
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Fatboy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 805
Registered: 6-28-2005
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Story number two...
On the way out of La Paz on that same trip in 2000 we pass a old Toyota pickup on the side of the with hood up. You have to remember that even today
I cannot complete a sentence in spanish and I only know a handful of words. On the trip was my wife, our 6 year old son and our daughter who would
celebrate her 2nd birthday in a few days. So here we are turning around to help some locals 20 or more miles out of La Paz.
Well, it turns out that they had recently changed the oil and filter and they had not made sure the old oil filter came off with the gasket. When
they installed the new filter it was now 'double gasketed'. It held for a while but 20 miles out of town it blew out dumping all of the oil out.
We only had 2 quarts with us and was getting ready to drive all the way back to La Paz to get enough oil to get them going when they made it clear to
us that there was a store much closer.
After getting directions we are off to get them some oil. I wonder now if they really believed that we would come back? Anyways, the directions were
something like...go towards La Paz 2 miles and there well be a road to the right. Then follow that road for a few miles and there well be a store.
So we turn off on what turns out to be a dirt road. I am thinking "There is a store down here?". After going down this dirt road for 15 minutes or
so with me doubting our directions every minute of the way we come upon a house.
As we approach it there is a large truck with a dozen or so young men around. Some are in the back of the truck, others are standing in the shade
talking and others are coming out of the house holding sodas and snacks.
Well, this be it Martha, I said to my wife. She always gets mad when I call her Martha since that is not her name! I open the door and step out of
the jeep to the amazement of the young men and this huge dog starts growling and barking at me. I guess he has never seen a white mexican before?
Everyone was now watching us and I am looking at the house, with a very large, very angry dog between me and the door and I think to myself "I can
just leave here right now and I am sure someone else will stop to help the guys stuck on the road and I will get to keep all of my skin intact with no
puncture wounds". Sounds like a win/win deal to me!
After a few seconds of the dog snarling and foaming at the mouth I decide to go for it. I slink past Cujo with my tail between my legs as far across
the walkway as I can get and step into the store.
It is a small room attached to the house with some of the basics including the object of my quest, motor oil. I buy 5 bottles from the very puzzled
young girl running the register. I know what she was thinking too, "How did this middle aged, white, american every find this place and more
importantly how did I get past her very unhappy man-eating, gringo hating dog outside?"
Well to wrap it up... after many, many puzzled stares we hightail it out of there and get back to our stranded motorist who gratefully receive the
lifegiving oil.
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Fatboy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 805
Registered: 6-28-2005
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Third Story...
In 2003 my sister and I are between Coco's corner and Highway 1 when we decide to stop and stretch. We walk around checking out the local flora for
10 minutes or so.
It is my turn to drive so I hop in to her Blazer turn the key and...well, nothing actually. No engine noises, no clicking sounds, nathing, nada, zip!
That's odd. I have got to stay calm for my sisters sake. This is her first trip to Baja and she freaks out when is more than 5 miles away from a
major US city with a Starbucks on every other corner.
So I tell here..'Relax, I am sure it is just a battery cable or something like that'. I pop the hood to check it out and everything looks good. I
begin to wonder what is going to be worse, stranded in the middle of nowhere with a bad battery or being with my sister who is going to completely
freak out when I break the news to her that we are stranded in the middle of nowhere with a bad battery.
The first thing I do, with her still in the car and the hood hiding me, is pray to the Lord up above. "Please, Lord get me out of this and you can
strand me in a much worse situation just as long as my sister is nowhere around, please!?!?!?!?!"
I break the news to my sister and I got to hand it to her, there was only of hint of panic in her voice when she asked what are we going to do now? I
told her that for now we wait until someone comes along.
How long will that be, she asks? I told her I don't know but shouldn't be more than a couple hours. A COUPLE OF HOURS she screams! WHAT IF NO ONE
COMES ALONG! WHAT IF THIS? WHAT IF THAT?, WHAT IF...!!!!!!!
I try to place the earplugs in my ears while a hand her a paperbag to hypervenilate into when a local pulls up, THANK GOD!!!!!
To this day my sister does not realize how close one of us came to dying that day. In a few more minutes I would have made up my mind as to whether I
should kill her so I could have some peace or if I should just commit suicide to get some peace.
We try to jump the Blazer with the locals truck but is just doesn't work. We then pull the battery out of their truck and use it to start the Blazer.
With the Blazer now running we take out their battery and put the bad one back in.
After thanking them profusely we head towards Highway 1 and the drive for 100 miles to the nearest Autoparts store where we buy a new battery.
Once again the locals saved a life...
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jimgrms
Senior Nomad
Posts: 664
Registered: 9-30-2005
Location: oceanside ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: its always good
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I remember years ago seeing mexicans driving a old old chevy in san felipe the fuel pup had gone south and they had a 1 gallon can with a hose run
from the can to the carb fuel line and wouls stop when they burned that gallon and refill it,
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by Fatboy
I too have good stories about help received while on the 'road' in Baja.
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 You tell
great stories Fatboy, thanks
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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BAJACAT
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2902
Registered: 11-21-2005
Location: NATIONAL CITY, CA
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I got one
On a recent trip to Laguna Hanson, comming back about half a mile from Mex 2 my friend's tacoma had a blow out tire.we stop to check the damage and to
get ready to install the spare using the trucks stock jack(tinny thing),when a big ford f250 stop and ask if we need it help,we told him that we where
ok,to what he respond it if you guys can make it I offer you my ranch to stay for the night.this guy owns Rancho Ponderosa wich has campgrounds,right
after he left another car stop and offer their help. I just love Baja.
BAJA IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE, FUN,DANGEROUS,INCREDIBLE, REMOTE, EXOTIC..JUST GO AND HAVE FUN.....
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BAJACAT
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2902
Registered: 11-21-2005
Location: NATIONAL CITY, CA
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pic#2
BAJA IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE, FUN,DANGEROUS,INCREDIBLE, REMOTE, EXOTIC..JUST GO AND HAVE FUN.....
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Jack Swords
Super Nomad
Posts: 1095
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Nipomo, CA/La Paz, BCS
Member Is Offline
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What a wonderful thread...we have experienced many of the stories given by the wonderful people of Baja and Mainland Mexico. 8 years ago I was
driving with a buddy vehicle ahead of me on the highway just out of La Paz. I hit a football sized rock on the road, crushing my tire, rim and
sending me out of control (I swear the rock jumped out at me!). The truck spun around and flipped on its side, leaving me hanging by my seatbelt.
With the truck on its side, I loosened the seatbelt, fell down in the cab, and proceeded to open the driver's door upward, jumping out. Stopped
behind me was a young Mexican couple with big eyes who witnessed the accident. Both ran up to me and gave me a hug, assuring that I was OK (I was).
My camper shell full of fishing gear and stuff was strewn over the road. Every Mexican car stopped and helped me pick up the stuff. A semi-trucker
stopped and dragged my truck off the highway and we flipped it over. The front differential and transmission were also strewn on the road. Nobody
would accept a "tip" but I did get to put some into pockets. As a side note, 5 California cars passed very slowly as the truck lay on its side with
its CA plate showing. Not one stopped, called out if anyone needed help! The towtruck, highway patrol was a very Mexican experience. Finally, my
day was completed with a ballena of beer and good night sleep. I have always stopped to help others on/off the roads in Baja, and certainly will
continue. What great folks!
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RonnieRockCod
Junior Nomad
Posts: 48
Registered: 6-28-2004
Location: San Doego
Member Is Offline
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Old ?
Some replies concerning offering help with fixing flat tires have been associated with the "flat tire-ee" being old. But we all know it is with the
culture of the Mexican people to be of assistance to those in need. This has been exemplified by those who posted of their personal experiences.
So, for all of you who thought you were being helped because you were "old" because a generous, well meaning Mexican asked to assist you. Try
this on for size. I was in Von's market the other day and the young cashier asked if I wanted help out to the parking lot with my groceries. Good luck
to all, RRC.
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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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Reading the reviews about tire blow outs and then dealing with the out- comes from these unexpected testings of our alertness reminded me of a trip
down south about 1980. My three buddies and I went to Ensenada to go deep sea fishing for 2 days and after having a so-so fishing trip one of them
decides we have to go to the Blow-hole further south to have fish tacos. We had two days of hard drinking and hard lying about the big ones we lost
back to the ocean, so our expert on where the best fish tacos kept on us to go further south. Well, away we went and back then their was only one
place that served food that I remember being their. The fish tacos were good and the beer was cold, so what more could you want? We thought we had a
perfect day going as we headed back. The road is two lane and in those mountains it twist and turns. We noticed a small truck with what seemed like
eight kids in the back directly in front of us having a back rear tire which was coming off the axle. My friend was blowing his horn and trying to
pull out and come along side to get the man's attention to pull over before the tire came off and his family and him went off that twisting
mountainous road. Every time we tried to pull along side the small truck a car was coming in the other lane and forced us back in. Finally, my buddy
just went for it and pulled along side with me pointing to the man's tire and yelling for him to stop! He didn't stop fast enough and his tire came
off with it hitting the side of my buddies chevy 4x4 and his vehicle swirved into the truck but pull out just as it touched off the side of our truck.
I thought we were going to get pushed over the side but our big truck as they say was much bigger than the little truck with the tire problem. They
got pulled over safely but with a missing tire. We had to find a place to pull over some distance down the mountain road. My buddy's truck sustained
damage to his side and the wheel area had been pushed in. Thankfully, my budy had a crowbar in the back of the truck to force it back out which kept
the pushed in metal from cutting into his tire. We walked back up the hill to see the man that was driving the small truck getting a ride to probably
go get another tire. He waved as he passed us and his face said it all. That was a lucky day for all of us. It should be noted that my friend is
still just as crazy and bold when the times of going for it presents itself. My buddy told his story to another friend of ours in Tecate and he set
him up with someone to fix that problem with the side of his truck without costing him an arm and a leg. Oh yea, by the way once we got down off the
mountain and came to the first little store we got some cold beers to settle the nerves. The man upstairs was watching over us and decided we had
more days in Mexico coming spingrin::! Man, I love a happy ending especially
when I am involved. Bajafun777tumble:!!!
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