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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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Mood: up on step
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Antonio....very, very cool that you addressed these issues...
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaCactus
Hello my friends,
First of all, let me thank DavidK, for letting me know about the comments being posted on this thread about BajaCactus... these kind of observations
are very important for me... David is right, living so far from El Rosario makes it very difficult to keep track of every little detail in the daily
operations of either the Gas Station and the Motel... I make my best effort, but perhaps it is not enough.
PROBABLY NOT.
Now, getting to business... refilling the bottles of amenities... nnnnoooo... of course not... I do not know about the politics of other motels, but
definitely we HAVE NOT never, ever, authorized this kind of activities at BajaCactus. Each and everyone of the bottles of shampoo, cream and
everything else is place brand new, out of the box, every time a room is clean and prepared for the next guest... this is how we have it established,
both economically and in the logistics of our inventories.
NOT AUTHORIED ? BUT YOU ARE RARELY THERE AND HAVE LITTLE CONTROL OVER YOUR EMPLOYEES.
Diane, I do not know what you saw at our Motel, but it was definitely not a "refill operation" from our part. Every bottle left in the rooms after the
guests leaves, is recollected and sent back to our Tijuana office... and only if those are not left in the trash... why?... our US supplier takes them
back for recycling, and gives us a small credit on new orders. Every shipment comes in new, sealed boxes, as well as the bottles themselves... and
then taken directly to BajaCactus.
Regarding the Internet... you are right Diane... my apologies to you and every nomad that has contacted me about this issue... I must admit this
problem was a mistake on my part... I made the wrong choice about the equipment that distributes the LAN/WiFi signal... it did not worked continuously
and crashed a lot... and to make things worst, in general, the human resource in El Rosario has a very low level of education, my staff comes from
that pool, therefore, it is quite difficult for them to grasp the basics of networking, so, whenever someone approached them for assistance regarding
this issue, their answer is "it does not work, go next door"... even though it was working, so they get rid of the "problem" quickly.
THIS HAS TAKEN YOU OVER 1 YEAR TO RESOLVE WHILE ADVERTISING INTERNET ACCESS TO YOUR PATRONS.
Three weeks ago, I finally replaced the equipment, and since then, it has been working flawlessly... about my staff, I am working on it... slowly, but
I am working on it.
About the Gas Station restrooms... I agree... they are old and not much can be done with them, other than a complete renovation ... We already have
approved plans and blueprints by Pemex to build new ones (it took them 2 years to approved those plans), but now we do not have the economical
resources to build them.
I have been working on remodeling the actual ones... I believe we will be able to accomplish this within the next few months.
HEARD THIS OVER A YEAR AGO.
Diane, I am sorry for not answering your U2U, but for several months now, when I have time to browse this board, I do so not logged in, therefore I do
not see the U2U's... but I will answer yours as soon as I finish typing this words... anyway, you can all always find me at my personal email
info*at*bajacactus.com
Now... Diver... I am deeply sorry for your bad experience in Baja, and specially if you felt unattended while staying at BajaCactus throughout your
crisis... I was personally in Guadalajara the whole week this happened, and the couple of times I spoke with you over the phone, I did so from
there... the only way I could personally helped you back then, was for me to fly back to Tijuana and drive to El Rosario... therefore I had to rely on
my staff, and sometimes that is difficult, specially if they do not speak English.
YES, IT IS DIFFICULT TO RELY ON YOUR STAFF !
WHILE WE WERE THERE, MOST OF THE PARKING LOT LIGHTS WERE BURNT OUT. I FIXED THE LAUNDRY LINES AND FENCING MYSELF IN 10 MINUTES AFTER SEEING THEM
UNWORKEABLE FOR A WEEK. YOUR PEOPLE DON'T DO MUCH TO HELP YOU.
And speaking of languages... we have to remember that when you travel to Mexico, and Baja is a part of it, you are in a foreign country, and you could
not expect the locals to speak your language... when I go to the States, I do not expect everyone to speak Spanish... I respectfully address everyone
in English, if they happen to speak my language, excellent, if not I understand they have no obligation to do so.
YOU HAVE OFTEN CLAINED THAT THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE THERE THAT SPEAKS ENGLISH. I DO NOT EXPECT ALL FOLKS TO SPEAK ENGLISH - MY SPANISH IS OK. YOUR
PEOPLE JUST DID NOT WANT TO HELP.
I TOLD YOU ABOUT THEIR ACTIONS EARLIER.
Now... specifically in El Rosario... English spoken personal is really quite difficult to come by... we do have Carmen (the old lady, who happens to
be 45 years, and works six days out of seven, from 4:00pm to 12:00pm)... and we recently hired a new man, who also is very fluent in English, working
from 7:00am to 3:00pm (not in the front desk though, but he is around)... we always try to hire anyone in town who speaks English, but they are really
scarce.T
HERE ARE MANY FOLKS THAT SPEAK ENGLISH IN TOWN INCLUDING ROLE ( MAMA'S DAUGHTER) NEXT DOOR.
I SAID OLDER, NOT OLD (OLDER THAN THE REST OF THE DESK GIRLS). CARMEN WAS VERY NICE BUT WE ASKED WHEN SHE WAS COMING IN AND THE REST OF THE STAFF HAD
NO IDEA.
You spoke about "the rude" one... at the time, she had a sister very ill with cancer, and that had her very stressed, my personal apologies if she
mistreated you... unfortunately, sometimes, life throw us these kind of problems, and we have to deal with them, it could happen to anyone...I know
this is not an excuse, but as humans, we must learn "to be humans"... we have to understand that even though we might have problems, sometimes, our
fellow humans are also suffering... we are not robots... nevertheless, she does not work with us anymore.
IT IS AN ATTEMPT AT AN EXCUSE - YOU COULD HAVE REMOVED HER FROM THE DESK ON THE DAY THAT I INFORMED YOU OF HER RUDE REMARKS. SHE REMIANED AT THE DESK
AND ACTING RUDE FOR OUR ENTIRE STAY.
Trained staff... everyone of the ladies who work at BajaCactus are housewives... they do not live in a big city with specialized schools in lodging or
tourism... we are not even a ten story, five star Hotel... we are, almost literally, in the middle of nowhere... the only way to properly train them,
is to bring them all to either Ensenada or Tijuana... or hire an specialist from the city to go there... quite costly... I am just happy if they do a
nice cleaning job... nevertheless... I will take your comment under advice, and try to bring them some more knowledge into how to properly fold the
towels and placement of the amenities... it could enhance the looks of the room.
THE ROOM LOOK FINE - DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE CHEMICALS IN THE SHOE-SHINE RAG THAT SHOULD NOT GO ON YOUR FACE ? NONE OF THESE LADIES SEEMED
STUPID - THEY HAVE JUST NEVER BEEN TRAINED PROPERLY.
Water... we do have a 80,000 lts storage capacity, which, with the Gas Station and the Motel fully operational, lasts us around three days... and we
do monitor them daily... however, again, we are in a small rural town, let us not forget this... there are no water utilities here... we rely, as
everyone in town does, from a local well, run by the community... they do not have the huge resources of the government, so, whenever something goes
wrong with that water pumping/distribution system... that is it... there is nothing to be done but wait for the people to get organized and fix it...
which could take one day or a few weeks.
AFTER THE TANK HAS RUN DRY FOR A FEW HOURS, WATER TRUCKS START FILLING IT. IF SOMEONE MONITORED THE WATER LEVEL, THIS COULD HAPPEN BEFORE THE TANK IS
EMPTY; NOT AFTER.
Even so, when this has happened, we always try to hire a local water truck (if they are available), who usually sell 3,000 lts for 50 Dlls... just
make the math and you will know how much it will cost us to have a 20,000+ lts daily supply... when we need these services, we only buy enough for the
motel... and only for the night.
A/C in the rooms... also, I agree... we have had this problem for quite a while now... again, our location makes it quite difficult to try and bring
top of the class services for our guests... either the help is not available or is quite expensive. I also have received several comments from fellow
nomads about this.
AND NO DISCOUNT FOR THE LACK OF SERVICES THAT ARE CLAIMED ? AC/HEAT/INTERNET .... SOUNDS LIKE A SHAM TO ME !
On this issue... it just so happens, that yesterday (Sept. 10), I closed a deal with a company from Ensenada, and they promised me to be in El Rosario
next Wednesday (Sept. 16th) to finally fixed all my A/C's units.
GOOD LUCK WITH THAT - I DO NOT THINK THERE IS SUFFICIENT WIRING IN THE ROOMS TO RUN THEM. THEY ARE FED WITH LAMP CORDS !
As you all can see... we are not blind to your comments... on the contrary, we... I, take them very seriously, for me, they are a very important
feedback, that allows me to correct the way... it may take me a while... but I try to fix all the problems that, throughout your observations, I
become aware of.
I hope I have not offended anyone with my remarks... however, I believe that we all must understand that El Rosario is not San Diego or any other
major city from the first world... I really wish I could offer all you top of the class, first grade Vegas Style Resort services... but we are not in
Vegas... we are in El Rosario... we have to work with what we have at hand... the only thing we can promise, is to do our best effort to try and have
the nicest place, out of what our location has to offer.
NO ONE HAS SAID THEY ARE LOOKING FOR VEGAS STYLE SERVICES - ONLY FOR YOU TO PROVIDE WHAT YOU CLAIM AND WITH A LITTLE COURTESY.
YOU HAVE MADE GREAT CLAIMS AND BLAME YOUR STAFF OR BAJA FOR YOUR TROUBLES.
WHY NOT GO SPEND SOME TIME THERE AND GET THINGS FIXED - NO MORE EXCUSES.
Antonio Munoz
BajaCactus
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[Edited on 9-12-2009 by Diver]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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There you have it friends... just as I suspected.
Diver, shame shame ... It's like it was your first trip to Baja and you expected the Ritz Carlton... and how much is a room at Baja Cactus... $35? Now
you want a discount? I am NOT saying you got less than advertised, but I am saying that in Baja you need to be flexible and understand there are
situations that don't get resolved in the speed and manner usually found in big city US hotels.
I think that Antonio has done a fantastic job with the resources available to him...
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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OK...Is everybody happy? Good. Now we can get back to some serious beer drinkin'.
Priorities, folks...priorities.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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everyone is entitled to their own opinions....
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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DK; the sole judge of fantasy - in his own mind.
Of course what you say is the truth David - the rest of us are liers.
Carry on Diet Boy ...... 
I'd say shame on you for continually defending when you have NO facts.
My story is the truth and I'm still sticking to it. 
Back to topic;
Where is that Fishbuck anyway ??
Oh little lady, where are you ?
I'm all packed ...... need to get to Baja - away from DK (since he is seldom in Baja.)
Before he responds as I know he will;
I have spent over 55 months in Baja over the past 30 years - how about you ?
.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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To futher clarify because I know how hard it is to get anything into your thick skull;
I do not expect fancy or US style accomodations in Baja.
I have been going there for a very long time and think I understand the way things are, better than you.
What I do expect;
Not to be told that Internet works when it doesn't
Not to be told the rooms have heat and AC when they don't.
Not to be told the hotel has it's own water - never goes out, when it does.
Not to be told that the parking area gate is locked with security lights inside when the bulbs are out and they don't even shut the door most nights -
never lock it.
Not to be told that there is always someone there who speaks english when there isn't.
Not to be told there is always hot water when there is not.
Not to be told "you can reach me anytime" and then get no response for 3 days.
NOT to be subject to RUDE behavior from the front desk clerk, complain to Antonio and then have to deal with her rudeness for another 5 days !
I have stayed in much more basic than the Baja Cactus and enjoyed my stays just fine.
Those folks may have offered less but they did not mis-represent their offerings.
Anonio seems to be a very capable and nice young man.
A good hotel owner would take my comments as constructive criticism and respoond as he has, then do something about the issues.
I believe Antonio will address these issues in time and to the best of his (and staff's) abilities.
.
[Edited on 9-12-2009 by Diver]
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Of course they are entitled, Woody... An opinion should be made of facts and not fantasy, however. I try very hard to post facts and flush out
fantasy... I knew that the refilling of the tiny bottles to put back in rooms was fantasy... Refill them from what, anyway? 
Perhaps she only saw them collecting the bottles that they send back for recycling and assumed they were going to refill them? That assumption was
just gross, however... and hurtful to Antonio's efforts and hospitality. |
Amazing---you were not there, but you still call me a liar, just amazing. You do live in your own little world.
But from the U2U you sent me, I now know how truly sick you are----you really need help, serious help. I actually feel sorry for you-----
So just continue on David, call me a liar and shame others---you are one sick puppy.
Yes, Dennis, back to topic, sorry for the interruption----
Diane
[Edited on 9-12-2009 by jdtrotter]
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mulegemichael
Antonio....very, very cool that you addressed these issues... |
Yes, he always does. There have been other issues in the past, and he addresses them the best he can----
even if the truly sick one thinks that others are lying.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
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Antonio,
Since you are on the net and reading this thread I thought I would add a problem I had when staying at your motel.
The shower handle on the hot water did not work. That is, the grooves had worn off and the handle merely spun around, not letting you turn it on or
off. The result was that we had to take a shower with cold water.
This was in the room closest to the highway of the older section of the motel. The new ones were all full when we showed up. Mrs. Diver got the last
room, grrrrrrrrrr. (just kidding).
You may want to take care of that also.
Perhaps I should tell you this with a U2U and not embarass you any further, but since there is a list already, and it it helpful to know these things,
I decided to write.
All in all, however, there is no motel in baja that is perfect so I take all of these problems as really being typical. It just irks people when DK
keeps reiterating that they don't exist and that people lie about them.
Diet boy, eh? haven't heard that one before.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
The shower handle on the hot water did not work. That is, the grooves had worn off and the handle merely spun around, not letting you turn it on or
off. The result was that we had to take a shower with cold water.
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There you have it, folks. Never Never rent a room in Baja without bringing your Vice Grips.
Now...back to that beer cooler.......
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jdtrotter
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Of course they are entitled, Woody... An opinion should be made of facts and not fantasy, however. I try very hard to post facts and flush out
fantasy... I knew that the refilling of the tiny bottles to put back in rooms was fantasy... Refill them from what, anyway?
Perhaps she only saw them collecting the bottles that they send back for recycling and assumed they were going to refill them? That assumption was
just gross, however... and hurtful to Antonio's efforts and hospitality. |
Amazing---you were not there, but you still call me a liar, just amazing. You do live in your own little world.
But from the U2U you sent me, I now know how truly sick you are----you really need help, serious help. I actually feel sorry for you-----
So just continue on David, call me a liar and shame others---you are one sick puppy.
Yes, Dennis, back to topic, sorry for the interruption----
Diane
[Edited on 9-12-2009 by jdtrotter] |
Wow, you are just scary with this spin... I u2u'd you about my PERSONAL dealings with the local school system regarding an IEP (as you seemed to think
I didn't know what ADD is) that was from another thread... I was hoping that as a teacher, you would see where I was coming from... and if you
actually read my u2u, you will see that I said he had good teachers.
Please stop coming in AFTER I post something to someone else with a spin on my reply (this is what you did in this thread re. Baja Cactus)... You made
a FALSE obeservation in the response to MY reply... and Yes, I will correct any false statements, mistakes or errors... accidental or on purpose made
by me, you, anyone. Baja Nomads deserve no less!
I also apologized, if you were right... YOU WERE WRONG (about the refilling).
I will accept YOUR apology now... but, I am guessing that will be a cold day in he** ... Antonio is the one to get an apology more than I.
[Edited on 9-12-2009 by David K]
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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DK,
You have embarrased yourself enough.
Isn't it time for you to post some more old photos and maps of Baja that we have seen 100 times ?
Or to get back on topic ?
She's g.o.n.e.... she's gone ..... (from the song) ......
Or should that be .... she's just 17 ...... ?
Or .... I was trolling along one day .... in the merry month of .... ?
I feel like singing !!
Wanna sing along, Fishbuck, wherever you are ??
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Curious that while all the complaining was going on, Antonio supposedly didn't bother to get involved until his little buddy twisted his arm. That
being said, as I have gone on record earlier as not a big fan of the town, I do wish to defend Antonio. He built an outstanding physical plant in El
Rosario, the likes of which had never been seen in that part of the country. I think too many people started to believe it was the local branch of
Ritz- Carlton. I've been amazed, over the years to see folks posting here and going out of their way to ensure they spent the night there. Many of the
things Antonio mentions are true. It IS El Rosario. There will obviously be challenges with respect to supplies and resources. Don't let the marble
and glass fool you. You're in El Rosario. I've spent twice as much and more to stay the night in other Baja towns. If you don't think you get your
money's worth, stop staying there. I think it is well worth what is charged, warts and all. I just choose not to stay there.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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I hope that first-time driver is writing all this down. BajaNomad strikes again with unselfish trip advice and best wishes for a safe journey. When
can we expect the first print edition?
OK...I'm gonna throat all these frosty beers myself. Won't be the first time, nor the last.
By the way....When it gets down to Antonio washing and drying the toilet paper, please give me advance warning. There's only so much I can take.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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well said. if you don't like it don't stay. Antonio is a good man. who here is perfect?
we do like it as it's very refreshing to have the little luxuries they provide, after spending 5-10 days in the bush, on the way home. also, our
friends at La Mijita are just down the road for lunch/dinner and conversation.
ER is a funky frontier town - that's the charm of the place. look, up ahead there's a sign that says, "last chance, everything!" at least it's the
last chance for "stuff" where we go.
if you are into the cabo region i would guess ER is not to your liking, and that's perfectly fine, too!
[Edited on 9-12-2009 by woody in ob]
[Edited on 9-12-2009 by woody in ob]
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody in ob
well said. if you don't like it don't stay. Antonio is a good man. who here is perfect?
we do like it as it's very refreshing to have the little luxuries they provide, after spending 5-10 in the bush, on the way home. also, our friends at
La Mijita are just down the road for lunch/dinner and conversation.
ER is a funky frontier town - that's the charm of the place. look, up ahead there's a sign that says, "last chance, everything!" at least it's the
last chance for "stuff" where we go.
if you are into the cabo region i would guess ER is not to your liking, and that's perfectly fine, too!
[Edited on 9-12-2009 by woody in ob] |
Woody, not everyone who finds El Rosario not to be their favorite place is into Cabo. El Rosario, in my book, is OK---just really prefer the small
towns in Baja Sur---personal choice. Shoot, we even prefer Guerrero Negro which is a town that is on the bottom of the list for many Baja travelers.
None of this is based on any facts at all, or on personal attitude---just personal feelings, opinions, vibes, etc.
There are lots of people who really like El Rosario for their own personal reasons, and I respect that. Different strokes---and while Cabo is not my
preference, it is Baja, just a different part of Baja, and as you said, it really is OK if that is someone's preference. It does not mean they like
Baja any more or less than others.
If we decide to stop in El Rosario, Baja Cactus is still on our list of where we might stay----we have had other problems there, but most we just
write off as it being Baja---it is what it is. It is one of the better hotels along the way----absentee ownership is always with problems regardless
of where the establishment is located.
First time driver? Well, as you said you are not a stranger to Baja, just to driving, so I am sure you already have some preferences which may or may
not change---have fun.
AND, if a man shows up with a great big smile who says, Hello, My name is Diver----step on the gas and move on, quickly.
Then again, maybe you should not listen to my suggestion as I am the scary liar----Dang, Diver, you might get a ride afterall.
Diane
[Edited on 9-12-2009 by jdtrotter]
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Interesting that you should mention Guerrero Negro, Diane. That town has grown on me over the years. And I do think it's a "vibe" thing. Many years
ago, when we first went to see the whales, we had an awful experience with both food and lodging. I wondered why the town, with a fairly steady
revenue stream what with the payroll at the salt facility and the seasonal whale crowd, seemed so lacking in amenities. Face it. Location-wise, it is
not what one could call situated in a beautiful setting. In the past few years, there have been additional accomodations built, such as Caracoles, and
Cowboy, and some new, good restaurants. As an aside, the architect for the Cowboy should get kudos. Anyway, over the years, I came to realize how warm
and welcoming the people of GN are. That, in my opinion, is a major factor in the success of a tourist dependent town.
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grmpb
Nomad
Posts: 103
Registered: 5-24-2009
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just talked to my budy vince mcmahon of the wwe, he's interested in signing sumayus up!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by grmpb
just talked to my budy vince mcmahon of the wwe, he's interested in signing sumayus up! |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_McMahon
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