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Bajahowodd
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Baja was and probably still is called "The Provinces" by mainlanders...especially those in DF. |
I won't disagree that your term is more politically correct than the one I used. However, as I noted, with the immense revenue stream coming from BCS
tourism, in particular, and given such retail changes as Dorians/ Sears and CCC/ Chedraui, I'm not so certain that the second cousin status will last.
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bajajazz
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Location: La Paz, BCS, Mexico
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Bajatripper's informative posts seem right on the money. We've been aware of the differences of opinion and business philosophy that exists between
the generations of the "old money" Pacenos for some time. We anticipate, for example, that local attitudes governing such things as gambling and
other tourist attractions are going to change, i.e., restraints will be loosened, probably also as a product of the necessity to amortize the enormous
costs of the Magote, Costa Baja, Caimancito, Pedregal and La Concha developments.
As I understand it, the older generation of shotcallers regarded La Paz as a good place to raise children and also an ideal place for the elderly to
quietly retire. The younger generation has a slightly different, shall we say more go-go attitude toward urban development.
As one of Bajatripper's resources mentioned, in recent years we have lost local institutions like Aero California, La Perla department store, the Los
Arcos Hotel and now CCC. Taken together, this has caused us to wonder if these are events that occurred in isolation and have no relationship, or are
these nearly-simultaneous losses part of a pattern and an indicator of things to come?
I guess the one thing we can count on is that change is on the way; the only question is if it will be good change or bad -- bad in the sense that it
changes the tranquil and charming nature of La Paz?
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JESSE
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Theres something in common betwen all of the now extinct businesses mentioned above: THEY WHERE ALL OLD, OUTDATED, AND STUCK IN BAJA SUR MODE FOR TOO
LONG.
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Bajatripper
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| Quote: | Originally posted by JESSE
Theres something in common betwen all of the now extinct businesses mentioned above: THEY WHERE ALL OLD, OUTDATED, AND STUCK IN BAJA SUR MODE FOR TOO
LONG. |
Spoken like a true outsider, Jesse. Just as outsiders find the native Sudcalifornianos lazy, etc. etc. the locals think too many outsiders are rude,
overly ambitious, self-centered, and only think about getting ahead at all costs, trambling over those ahead of them. These, too, are some of the
thoughts of Francisco Aramburo (native Sudcaliforniano), among others.
Too bad it so often has to be about money and efficiency, which are the antithesis of the natural human state. If ealy woman and man had been so
self-centered as we have become under western civilization, they would have quite likely eliminated themselves from the gene pool a long time ago.
Humans depend on other humans to get ahead. Contrary to what many a millionaire thinks, they most definitely DID NOT get to where they are by
themselves. The infrastructure, communications, education system, etc. etc. that makes millionaires possible are paid for by all of us.
Speaking as a cultural anthropologist, there is something to say about traditions and and rhythm of life of the BAJA SUR MODE of yesteryear, when
people could leave their houses and cars unlocked without repercussions. During the suffocating summer months, many slept outside on their patios.
Most all businesses (and schools) closed for a couple of hours during the early afternoon (which could really suck if you needed that thing RIGHT
NOW!). If you had the misfortune to break down on the pre-paved road, everyone who came along did their best to get you on your way, or help in any
way imaginable, etc. etc. But one thing that has remained constant in the nature of Sudcalifornianos throughout their recorded opinions is an intense
dislike of outsiders (especially Chilangos) coming here and telling them how things should be done.
This is not to say that everything was perfect in the old days in La Paz. During my youth, we had but two AM radio stations and no TV and public and
private phones were a rarity. For that matter, the first CCC had yet to open. There were many other inconveniences that we learned to live with. That
said, I do miss the slower pace and tranquility and the lack of drugs etc. that was a way of life in the old BAJA SUR MODE. It was a pleasant place to
be raised as a kid.
Just to clarify, it wasn't that all of those businesses failed because they were old and unable to compete. The Hotel Los Arcos, like the Grand Baja
before it, was brought down not because it couldn't compete with the mainlander and transnational business mode, but rather, because the hired help
had the political power to shut them down permanently for alledged unfair treatment through worker strikes.
I certainly wouldn't mind seeing something like that happen to BP right about now. But, of course, they would be able to shelter their assests,
declare bankrupcy, and stick the U.S. tax payer and the rest of the world with the costs for the clean up. Is that some of the outside mentality you
would like to see more of around these parts, Jesse? At least when everything was owned by locals, they lived in the environment that they helped
create (or destroy).
Just some thoughts,
Steve G
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vandenberg
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| Quote: | Originally posted by JESSE
Theres something in common betwen all of the now extinct businesses mentioned above: THEY WHERE ALL OLD, OUTDATED, AND STUCK IN BAJA SUR MODE FOR TOO
LONG. |
Your opinion, not shared by me.
I loved the old La Paz, which is on its way becoming another Cabo.
Sometime keeping the status quo is much preferred by a lot of folks.
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JESSE
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
| Quote: | Originally posted by JESSE
Theres something in common betwen all of the now extinct businesses mentioned above: THEY WHERE ALL OLD, OUTDATED, AND STUCK IN BAJA SUR MODE FOR TOO
LONG. |
Spoken like a true outsider, Jesse. Just as outsiders find the native Sudcalifornianos lazy, etc. etc. the locals think too many outsiders are rude,
overly ambitious, self-centered, and only think about getting ahead at all costs, trambling over those ahead of them. These, too, are some of the
thoughts of Francisco Aramburo (native Sudcaliforniano), among others.
Too bad it so often has to be about money and efficiency, which are the antithesis of the natural human state. If ealy woman and man had been so
self-centered as we have become under western civilization, they would have quite likely eliminated themselves from the gene pool a long time ago.
Humans depend on other humans to get ahead. Contrary to what many a millionaire thinks, they most definitely DID NOT get to where they are by
themselves. The infrastructure, communications, education system, etc. etc. that makes millionaires possible are paid for by all of us.
Speaking as a cultural anthropologist, there is something to say about traditions and and rhythm of life of the BAJA SUR MODE of yesteryear, when
people could leave their houses and cars unlocked without repercussions. During the suffocating summer months, many slept outside on their patios.
Most all businesses (and schools) closed for a couple of hours during the early afternoon (which could really suck if you needed that thing RIGHT
NOW!). If you had the misfortune to break down on the pre-paved road, everyone who came along did their best to get you on your way, or help in any
way imaginable, etc. etc. But one thing that has remained constant in the nature of Sudcalifornianos throughout their recorded opinions is an intense
dislike of outsiders (especially Chilangos) coming here and telling them how things should be done.
This is not to say that everything was perfect in the old days in La Paz. During my youth, we had but two AM radio stations and no TV and public and
private phones were a rarity. For that matter, the first CCC had yet to open. There were many other inconveniences that we learned to live with. That
said, I do miss the slower pace and tranquility and the lack of drugs etc. that was a way of life in the old BAJA SUR MODE. It was a pleasant place to
be raised as a kid.
Just to clarify, it wasn't that all of those businesses failed because they were old and unable to compete. The Hotel Los Arcos, like the Grand Baja
before it, was brought down not because it couldn't compete with the mainlander and transnational business mode, but rather, because the hired help
had the political power to shut them down permanently for alledged unfair treatment through worker strikes.
I certainly wouldn't mind seeing something like that happen to BP right about now. But, of course, they would be able to shelter their assests,
declare bankrupcy, and stick the U.S. tax payer and the rest of the world with the costs for the clean up. Is that some of the outside mentality you
would like to see more of around these parts, Jesse? At least when everything was owned by locals, they lived in the environment that they helped
create (or destroy).
Just some thoughts,
Steve G |
Most sudcalifornianos where outsiders at one point in their life, the only diference betwen me and someone who got here 40 yrs ago, is that 40 yrs ago
outsiders had to to accept the paceño way or leave (that explains the miniscule growth rate of this city over the last 300yrs).
Today, paceños can no longer keep out the modern world (for good or bad) from their city. And in fact, it was them who brought in the worst thing
about the outside world, politicians let drug lords in to live in their city and share space with their kids.
I personally love the people, they are my people, i understand them because my mother was sudcaliforniana and my family lives here. But the foul
relationship betwen local business and politicians here is about as bad as i have seen it anywhere in Mexico. The arrangement has been simple:
business pays politics so they would keep outside competition out. Basically, having your own little monopoly. What do you do when you have a
monopoly? your prices are high, your quality is bad, and you hire 2 or 3 people for the price of one because you don't have to deal with stupid labor
laws, pay for ridiculous lawsuits, etc etc
This in turn has created a very bad attitude amongst sudcalifornianos, and attitude that is not realistic in todays business world, and an attitude
that is hurting them more and more. They don't understand that their demands and expectations of work are totally out of touch with reality, and thus,
find themselves being left out by companies because they see them as troublesome, lazy, etc etc.
By the way, los arcos, just like grand baja, where victims of their own greed. They operated for decades under this politics-business mafia like
system that still exists here, and when they felt choked by the extorsion, or decided to speak out about it, they where swiftly attacked by the
political system that they benefited from for decades.
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3151
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Anyone note the irony of Baja having been the bastard step-child of Mexico for so many years, now becoming integrated with the mainland on so many
levels? (...) that compared to the mainland, Baja was always an outpost. Think of the Frontera license plates, for instance. Maybe the fact that Baja
was just a little bit different than the mainland was a feature that attracted many of you enthusiasts. I'm just guessing, but what with the immense
growth of tourism, in particular, especially in BCS, money is to made there. Hence, mom and pop, of family owned businesses will continue to encounter
immense pressure from the "big guys" on the mainland. |
Your forgot "red-headed," didn't you? Indeed, your observations are valid ones. In fact, Fernando Jordan--a Mexico City newspaper man who came on
assignment to southern Baja during the late fourties--wrote a book noting the same thing, titled "El Otro Mexico." He brought the perspective of a
Mexican outsider and saw the many differences in culture between here and the mainland and felt the cultural uniqueness was something to be proud of.
Just as many of us have, Jordan fell in love with Baja, writing four or five books about the peninsula before taking his own life (although some
suspect foul play) here in the capital of BCS. There have been many other literary efforts in the years since El Otro Mexico was published that
explore the same ideas. And, yes, many of us are attracted to Baja for that uniqueness.
The license plates say "Fronteriza" because all of the Baja Peninsula was given the same exemptions as those given to the border zones (both north and
south) of Mexico. This designation--and the tax/import advantages that it included--were instituted in the 1930s as part of the Mexican government's
attempt to populate its borders (in part, to avoid another land grab by a neighbor).
What the "zona fronteriza" means in practical terms is that residents of these zones pay 5% less in IVA (the national sales tax, currently at 16% in
the interior and 11% in the zone) and have the priviledge to import cars and other foreign goods without paying the massive import duties that
residents in the interior must pay. Hence, BCS has the highest rate of registered vehicles per capita of anywhere in Mexico (according to INEGI's data
in 2005). Who knows what that would be if unregistered vehicles were also included. That is also why one has to go get a permit at Pichilingue to take
one's vehicle across the Gulf to the mainland--you are leaving the zone.
Steve G
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Bajahowodd
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Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Interesting stuff. By the way, while I don't have current figures, and as someone who remembers Cabo from over thirty years ago, it might surprise
some that between 1998 and 2004, the number of hotels rooms in Los Cabos nearly doubled to a total around 10,000. Obviously, the number is higher
today. Have to believe that most, if not all the money involved came from the mainland. that, and the workers that built and the workers that operate
the properties. I can also recall the appalling living conditions encountered by many of the construction workers, in particular.
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3151
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| Quote: | Most sudcalifornianos where outsiders at one point in their life, the only diference betwen me and someone who got here 40 yrs ago, is that 40 yrs ago
outsiders had to to accept the paceño way or leave (that explains the miniscule growth rate of this city over the last 300yrs).
Today, paceños can no longer keep out the modern world (for good or bad) from their city. And in fact, it was them who brought in the worst thing
about the outside world, politicians let drug lords in to live in their city and share space with their kids.
I personally love the people, they are my people, i understand them because my mother was sudcaliforniana and my family lives here. But the foul
relationship betwen local business and politicians here is about as bad as i have seen it anywhere in Mexico. The arrangement has been simple:
business pays politics so they would keep outside competition out. Basically, having your own little monopoly. What do you do when you have a
monopoly? your prices are high, your quality is bad, and you hire 2 or 3 people for the price of one because you don't have to deal with stupid labor
laws, pay for ridiculous lawsuits, etc etc
This in turn has created a very bad attitude amongst sudcalifornianos, and attitude that is not realistic in todays business world, and an attitude
that is hurting them more and more. They don't understand that their demands and expectations of work are totally out of touch with reality, and thus,
find themselves being left out by companies because they see them as troublesome, lazy, etc etc.
By the way, los arcos, just like grand baja, where victims of their own greed. They operated for decades under this politics-business mafia like
system that still exists here, and when they felt choked by the extorsion, or decided to speak out about it, they where swiftly attacked by the
political system that they benefited from for decades. |
No, Jesse, that isn't the only difference between you and someone who arrived 40--or 100 years ago. Someone who came here before the paved road had to
be willing to live a harsher, less convenient lifestyle. Those who waited until things got comfy before coming are not generally made of the same
stock as those who came here throughout most of Baja's history. Because of your youth, I exclude you from this part of the argument. But I do wonder
if your mother agrees with everything you say about Pacenios.
Jesse, so which is it? Did all of those businesses fail because they were being exposed to the new and better ways of outsiders, or because they were
part of an political and economic system that had been in place for too long? As you well know, Los Arcos is of the Coppola family, you can't get much
more politically entrenched than that. The owner, Luis, is a state senator, isn't he? So I think that the fact that the "rabble" were able to bring
him down actually speaks volumes against the very point you want to make. Can't say anything about the Grand Baja since I wasn't here for that
closing. But, from what I hear, it followed a similar pattern as what is happening in Los Arcos. The same fate fell the old Hotel La Posada, of which
I do have knowledge, should you be interested.
Basically, workers seem to have some rights here in Baja California Sur. The government wasn't owned by business leaders and the voice of the people
had meaning.
Come on, Jesse, we both know that drug money infiltrates and corrupts every place it goes. Or didn't you ever ask how come we never see white male
overlords of the drug industry in the U.S. According to what I see in the news, Hispanics and Blacks would appear to be the only ones involved in the
illegal drug trade in the U.S. I think a more reasonable answer is that the whites are better-connected to the ruling political machine in the U.S.
and are given a pass.
About monopolies: I'm thinking Pemex and the American model of oil exploitation. That Pemex has its share of corruption, there is no doubt. It's out
in the open. But are you going to argue that the "non-monopoly" oil production we have in the U.S. is better? Where is gas cheaper? And what happens
to price when you are desperately in need of gas in the middle of nowhere? I'll tell you what happens, good ol' American capitalism sticks it to you.
Pemex, on the other hand, is pretty consistent with its prices no matter where you are buying it. And if the BP deal had gone down here, there would
be no doubt who was responsible for the clean up. We, on the other hand, face years and years of litigation before that decision is made. And who pays
for that litigation? The people, of course.
It seems to me that you are looking at all of these things only in terms of dollars and cents--no, make that pesos and centavos. That works for
economists, who don't have to stand face-to-face with those who are affected by their decisions. But in the real world, these are your relatives and
friends, not some number on a sheet of paper. Yet, you have adopted the American business model, which too often fails to take into account the social
costs in its pursuit of the bottom line. It's the classic "Walmart vs. Mainstreet" business dichotomy, which Karl Marx--who worked in English
factories in his day--wrote about. His observations remain as valid today as ever. Basically, businesses have certain expenses, of which only one is
really negotiable--the salaries of the employees. Everything else has a bottom line that can't be negotiated. Yet, with human beings, the owners of
production (that would be you, Jesse) see no bottom line, no fixed minimum salary that can't be violated. There is always someone from someplace else
who is hungrier, who will work harder for less. That too often violates human dignity--of which poor people aren't allowed to have any. And if you
bring up minimum wage laws, I will challenge you to try to survive on that for a year. Assuming you are married, you could even have her work. And
then come back and tell me about minimum wages laws.
One thing your postings make abundantly clear, you DON'T understand the Sudcaliforniano mentality, your perspective is pure outsider. And I don't care
if your mother is from here. My mother is from Ferndale, WA, and, although I have lived in Washington for many years, I don't pretend to know all
there is to know about being Washingtonian, much less from Ferndale. It wasn't part of my formative years, so those lessons weren't part of my
socialization. In my formative years, I was learning how to catch octopus off the Malecon, I was shining shoes in downtown La Paz, I went swimming and
fishing all of the time at Petroleos (where you can't even get on the dock anymore), I gathered cirhuelas on the Mogote (where you can't go anymore)
and I remember seeing what seemed like never-ending schools of sardines all along the Malecon this time of year.
None of these things are possible anymore. That is what Sudcalifornianos see; the things they are losing (and they haven't a clue that they are going
to lose Playa Tecolote and Bahia Balandra in the not-to-distant future). If they were all reaping the benefits of a strong economy and well-paying
jobs, I'm sure that such loses wouldn't matter as much. But when they are losing their heritage AND having to compete for jobs that pay less, well,
then, it might be asking a bit too much for them to smile, too, while they are getting the shaft.
Steve G
[Edited on 6-14-2010 by Bajatripper]
[Edited on 6-14-2010 by Bajatripper]
[Edited on 6-14-2010 by Bajatripper]
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KurtG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1211
Registered: 1-27-2004
Location: California Central Coast
Member Is Offline
Mood: Press On Regardless!!
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| Quote: | It seems to me that you are looking at all of these things only in terms of dollars and cents--no, make that pesos and centavos. That works for
economists, who don't have to stand face-to-face with those who are affected by their decisions. But in the real world, these are your relatives and
friends, not some number on a sheet of paper. Yet, you have adopted the American business model, which too often fails to take into account the social
costs in its pursuit of the bottom line. It's the classic "Walmart vs. Mainstreet" business dicochomy, which Karl Marx--who worked in English
factories in his day--wrote about. His observations remain as valid today as ever. Basically, businesses have certain expenses, of which only one is
really negotiable--the salaries of the employees. Everything else has a bottom line that can't be negotiated. Yet, with human beings, the owners of
production (that would be you, Jesse) see no bottom line, no fixed minimum salary that can't be violated. There is always someone from someplace else
who is hungrier, who will work harder for less. That too often violates human dignity--of which poor people aren't allowed to have any. And if you
bring up minimum wage laws, I will challenge you to try to survive on that for a year. Assuming you are married, you could even have her work. And
then come back and tell me about minimum wages laws.
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Steve,
I just finished re-reading "Open Veins of Latin America" which gives a very clear view of how cheaply human labor and life itself has been valued.
Fascinating reading.
Thanks for your insight,
Kurt
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: |
No, Jesse, that isn't the only difference between you and someone who arrived 40--or 100 years ago. Someone who came here before the paved road had to
be willing to live a harsher, less convenient lifestyle. Those who waited until things got comfy before coming are not generally made of the same
stock as those who came here throughout most of Baja's history. Because of your youth, I exclude you from this part of the argument. But I do wonder
if your mother agrees with everything you say about Pacenios.
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You shouldn’t exclude me so easily from anything unless you know me, my life has not been easy coming from a dirt poor daugher of a farmer near
insurgentes. Oh and by the way, i lived many years down here back when i was younger, and not in comfortable La Paz, but in the Santo Domingo valle,
back when there was nothing. So i am probably more familiar with the harsh environment of baja than most paceños.
And what i say about paceños, is something not only i believe and know, its something most sudcalifornianos from outside La Paz think. Ask anybody
from Constitucion, Loreto, Mulege, etc and most will agree Paceños are lazy.
| Quote: |
So Jesse, so which is it? Did all of those businesses fail because they were being exposed to the new and better ways of outsiders, or because they
were part of an political and economic system that had been in place for too long? As you well know, Los Arcos is of the Coppola family, you can't get
much more politically entrenched than that. The owner, Luis, is a state senator, isn't he? So I think that the fact that the "rabble" were able to
bring him down actually speaks volumes against the very point you want to make. Can't say anything about the Grand Baja since I wasn't here for that
closing. But, from what I hear, it followed a similar pattern as what is happening in Los Arcos. The same fate fell the old Hotel La Posada, of which
I do have knowledge, should you be interested.
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Its both of course, local businesses have had a monopoly for decades, and thus neglected service, quality, etc etc now that its imposible to keep
competition away, they find themselves not being able to compete, and resentful towards the politicians that took their money for decades in exchange
of protection from competition. This resentment sometimes turns into catfights like the one we see with Los Arcos. The Los Arcos problem is very
complex and the details i cannot explain on a message board.
| Quote: |
Basically, workers seem to have some rights here in Baja California Sur. The government wasn't owned by business leaders and the voice of the people
had meaning.
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Absurd and totally wrong. The state sport in Baja sur is frivolous lawsuits and goverment abuse. This is a well known FACT. Baja sur has the worst
ratings in the nation regarding goverment transparency, fairness, etc etc
| Quote: |
Come on, Jesse, we both know that drug money infiltrates and corrupts every place it goes. Or didn't you ever ask how come we never see white male
overlords of the drug industry in the U.S. According to what I see in the news, Hispanics and Blacks would appear to be the only ones involved in the
illegal drug trade in the U.S. I think a more reasonable answer is that the whites are better-connected to the ruling political machine in the U.S.
and are given a pass.
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I don’t know where you live, but you obviously not aware that baja sur, has one of the worst narco-corruption problems in all of Mexico. Most of the
top heads in the state goverment are under investigation by the PGR, the SIEDO, and military intelligence. I come from Tijuana and even there, the
corruption and the highest levels wasnt so bad.
| Quote: |
It seems to me that you are looking at all of these things only in terms of dollars and cents--no, make that pesos and centavos. That works for
economists, who don't have to stand face-to-face with those who are affected by their decisions. But in the real world, these are your relatives and
friends, not some number on a sheet of paper. Yet, you have adopted the American business model, which too often fails to take into account the social
costs in its pursuit of the bottom line. It's the classic "Walmart vs. Mainstreet" business dicochomy, which Karl Marx--who worked in English
factories in his day--wrote about. His observations remain as valid today as ever. Basically, businesses have certain expenses, of which only one is
really negotiable--the salaries of the employees. Everything else has a bottom line that can't be negotiated. Yet, with human beings, the owners of
production (that would be you, Jesse) see no bottom line, no fixed minimum salary that can't be violated. There is always someone from someplace else
who is hungrier, who will work harder for less. That too often violates human dignity--of which poor people aren't allowed to have any. And if you
bring up minimum wage laws, I will challenge you to try to survive on that for a year. Assuming you are married, you could even have her word. And
then tell me about minimum wages laws.
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When i first came here, my view of things where different. I felt locals where being pushed out by outside companies simply because its cheaper to
hire a non paceño. I quickly found out it wasn’t true. I TRIED, i tried many times to do the right thing and hire locals, but in time i saw what
everybody, included paceños told me. I had employees that i treated very well, turn around and sue me for nothing, many times i hadn’t even fire them,
they would just not show up one day and then a week later send me a lawyer asking for money. They know that they don’t have a case, they know if this
went to court they would lose, but they also know i can’t afford to go to court, and thus, its more cost effective for me to pay 10,000 pesos now,
than to pay 20,000 to my lawyer. Its outright robbery. In la paz, theres people that actually do this for a living. They team up with crooked labor
lawyers, and go to work in a business for a month, leave, and the sue. They do this over and over again.
Finally, i just want to ad, when we started here, i paid my workers much higher than what a normal paceño would earn working in a local business. My
belief, was that maybe if i paid them enough, i would then be rewarded with commited responsible workers. So i was very surprised when i saw that
money was not a factor, employees would work and behave exactly the same if i was paying them 700 pesos a week, or 1500.
Fairness has nothing to do with this issue.
| Quote: |
One thing your posting make abundantly clear, you DON'T understand the Sudcaliforniano mentality, your perspective is pure outsider. And I don't care
if your mother is from here. My mother is from Ferndale, WA, and, although I have lived in Washington for many years, I don't pretend to know all
there is to know about being Washingtonian, much less from Ferndale. It wasn't part of my formative years, so those lessons weren't part of my
socialization. In my formative years, I was learning how to catch octopus off the Malecon, I was shining shoes in downtown La Paz, I went swimming and
fishing all of the time at Petroleos (where you can't even get on the dock anymore), I gathered cirhuelas on the Mogote (where you can't go anymore)
and I remember seeing what seemed like never-ending schools of sardines all along the Malecon this time of year
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LOL! Thats a first, for a guy who can’t even spell paceños correctly, you sure presume a lot. Your whole post probes your the one that is clueless.
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None of these things are possible anymore. That is what Sudcalifornianos see; the things they are losing (and they haven't a clue that they are going
to lose Playa Tecolote and Bahia Balandra in the not-to-distant future). If they were all reaping the benefits of a strong economy and well-paying
jobs, I'm sure that such loses wouldn't matter as much. But when they are losing their heritage AND having to compete for jobs that pay less, well,
then, it might be asking a bit too much for them to smile, too, while they are getting the shaft.
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You can’t pay a good salary, if your workers are used to suing you for nothing in order to get a quick buck from you. You can’t pay a good salary, if
your constantly being visited by all goverment agencies municipal and state, making up excuses to get some money from you. You can’t pay a good
salary, if work ethics are so bad here, that you have to hire 3 mechanics in tree weeks, to fix something that one should have fixed in one afternoon
at half the money. You can’t pay somebody a good salary, when local distributors sell something for 100 that will cost you 20 at Tijuana, and 50 in
cabo.
Paceños are losing their heritage because of their own fault. Because they are used to the good life, and cannot see that times are changing. In 10
years, sudcalifornianos are not even going to have enough power to decide whos going to govern them, it already happened in los cabos. This personally
pains me, i am sad to see my own people blind to these facts. But i also know that they won’t change until its too late, so theres nothing i can do.
Any american or mexican that has come here, knows how you go into a store, and even if theres 5 employees, nobody bothers to greet you and help you
until you demand it.
THAT is NOT normal, and that in short, is the reason why paceños are falling behind on everything.
[Edited on 6-14-2010 by JESSE]
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3151
Registered: 3-20-2010
Member Is Offline
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Jesse, my hat's off to you. You win the "who had it harder" contest by a wide birth. To tell the truth, I never intended to convey anything remotely
associated with a rough childhood. Quite the contrary, the childhood I had in La Paz was fantastic! During our stay, two of the four houses we rented
in La Paz were on the malecon (back when such places could be had for $40/month), so I had the Ensenada de los Aripes at my front doorstep for much of
my childhood. I can't imagine what it was like to live out in your neck of the woods. Hell, Villa Constitucion was bad enough just passing through,
and that was probably bright lights and the big city to you.
In actuality, you and I are on the same page 98 percent of the time. As a lurker, I have learned a lot from your many posts over the years. You have
access to people who are way out of my league, bringing to the board a perspective that is uncommon. I've always admired how you stay neutral in
discussions that must have hit inner nerves with you, and still manage to inform us.
And now I learn more about your impressive background, and I admire you all the more.
But I always knew that our views of capitalism in its local manifestation would inevitably lead us to this exchange of ideas, so I'm glad we are
getting it out of the way. For, if I may be so presumptuous, I see a good friendship between us in the future. In fact, we have already met, but I'm
sure you don't remember. You came over to my house on Madero to attend a function sponsored by my mother, Bajalera, a few years ago. What she always
remembers about that event was that I was three hours late with the beer.
Peace,
Steve
PS AND I DO, TOO, know how to spell what a native of La Paz is, I've just been too lazy (must be some of that PaceNIo culture I got overdosed with) to
learn how to master that little "~" squigly thing. I'm sure this will generate a million replies telling how to do it, but sure as Alzheimer's is my
witness, I'll soon forget and go back to two keys (ni) that make more-or-less the same sound.
[Edited on 6-15-2010 by Bajatripper]
[Edited on 6-15-2010 by Bajatripper]
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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Not only was he there he brought a Cevieche to die for and that is the understatement of the year.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
Jesse, my hat's off to you. You win the "who had it harder" contest by a wide birth. To tell the truth, I never intended to convey anything remotely
associated with a rough childhood. Quite the contrary, the childhood I had in La Paz was fantastic! During our stay, two of the four houses we rented
in La Paz were on the malecon (back when such places could be had for $40/month), so I had the Ensenada de los Aripes at my front doorstep for much of
my childhood. I can't imagine what it was like to live out in your neck of the woods. Hell, Villa Constitucion was bad enough just passing through,
and that was probably bright lights and the big city to you.
In actuality, you and I are on the same page 98 percent of the time. As a lurker, I have learned a lot from your many posts over the years. You have
access to people who are way out of my league, bringing to the board a perspective that is uncommon. I've always admired how you stay neutral in
discussions that must have hit inner nerves with you, and still manage to inform us.
And now I learn more about your impressive background, and I admire you all the more.
But I always knew that our views of capitalism in its local manifestation would inevitably lead us to this exchange of ideas, so I'm glad we are
getting it out of the way. For, if I may be so presumptuous, I see a good friendship between us in the future. In fact, we have already met, but I'm
sure you don't remember. You came over to my house on Madero to attend a function sponsored by my mother, Bajalera, a few years ago. What she always
remembers about that event was that I was three hours late with the beer.
Peace,
Steve
PS AND I DO, TOO, know how to spell what a native of La Paz is, I've just been too lazy (must be some of that PaceNIo culture I got overdosed with) to
learn how to master that little "~" squigly thing. I'm sure this will generate a million replies telling how to do it, but sure as Alzheimer's is my
witness, I'll soon forget and go back to two keys (ni) that make more-or-less the same sound.
[Edited on 6-15-2010 by Bajatripper]
[Edited on 6-15-2010 by Bajatripper] |
Would love to have a beer with you anytime.
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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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CCC san lucas
"One of the things that the CCC has been known for is its variety of foreign goods, which simply can't be found anywhere else (who else carries
English muffins?).
The new owners have said that they will continue to exploit this market. Lets hope so, or nobody will miss the old CCCs more than the local community
of Americans and Canadians."
You guys panicked me so I rushed down to CCC yesterday.
They had 100's of packs of English muffins, Knudson buttermilk, Swiss Miss milk and, praise the lord and pass the biscuits,.....Jimmy Dean Sausage.
From what I saw they had more American products than before.
 Dont rush out for the Jimmy Dean...I bought it all
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Paula
Super Nomad
Posts: 2219
Registered: 1-5-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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My affection for Baja Nomads is restored with this thread!
Jesse and Steve, on first reading this is first rate dialogue on sensitive and nuanced issues in La Paz, and BCS in general. With my self-diagnosed
adult onset attention deficit disorder (there is an acronym for this but damned if I can figure it out) in combination with my partzheimers disease
(fortunately not yet entirezeimers), I will need to review it a time or two, with pleasure.
I had the good fortune to be at the party mentioned above with my husband, Don Alley. There I had my first conversation with Jesse. It was my great
pleasure to meet Bajalera, Steve's mother, and Comitan and Carol at the event. Steve, because of your late arrival, Don and I barely met you. We
look forward to getting to know you better-- here on Nomads, or how and wherever.
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bajalera
Super Nomad
Posts: 1875
Registered: 10-15-2003
Location: Santa Maria CA
Member Is Offline
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That was a fantastic childhood? He's gotta be kidding.
\"Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest never happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.\" -
Mark Twain
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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Lera, he was obviously referring to the fantastic mother who raised him up to adulthood. Ya know, the woman that gringo tourists paid to take her
pic!
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fixtrauma
Nomad
Posts: 389
Registered: 11-17-2008
Location: El Centenario & Lebanon,Oregon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Monomaniac
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I will go to the CCC anytime to not have to put up with the lines at Walmart. They seem to give a hoot at CCC.
And they have good selection!
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
Member Is Offline
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Steve, how are you my friend?
You and Jesse, the eloquence. My hat's off to both of you.
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