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RFClark
Super Nomad
Posts: 2431
Registered: 8-27-2015
Member Is Offline
Mood: Looking forward to 2024
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The Mexico “problem” is not wasteful tourists or foreign nationals building or buying in Mexico. The problem is poor governance. The problem has
always been poor governance. Look no further than the Vulcan materials case or the new PUD being forced on Todos Santos.
In fact tourists and expats living in Mexico are a part of the solution as they bring technical knowledge, revenue and expectations of better public
services.
Carping about the lack of resources is not a solution. Investing in improving infrastructure is the solution. Municipal water delivery in Mexico is
still out of the early 1900’s.
los Cabos as an example. There is no water shortage if you have money. A large fleet of water trucks deliver water 24/7. Someone profits from that
delivery system.
La Paz has no container port worth discussing. What it has is a 1000Km two lane road down which comes most everything necessary to support over 600K
people living in BCS. We see every truck headed to Los Cabos from our home. They run 24/7.
It’s obvious that the purpose of all the trucks delivering everything is employment and profit. That said it’s not great for the environment and
it’s not very efficient. The capacity of the system is about maxed out. Even a short disruption creates shortages. That is why there finally is talk
of a container port in La Paz. Thanks, primarily to pressure from the tourist industry.
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 510
Registered: 6-4-2012
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You have done your part with your home design and good on you for attempting to limit your own footprint as much as possible.
Might does make right all too often. Money's influence is nothing new, especially in areas where profiting rules the day.
Water? What about the diminishing water resources? Even up here in drought land, builders will not be denied their profiteering irrespective of the
water demand.
We received a fair amount of rain this year to replenish a small part of what has been lost, but we need a few more of these El Nino years in a row.
Happy Memorial Day to all Nomads.
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surabi
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3907
Registered: 5-6-2016
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Quote: Originally posted by RFClark  |
In fact tourists and expats living in Mexico are a part of the solution as they bring technical knowledge, revenue and expectations of better public
services.
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Wow, so foreigners are God's gift to Mexico because they are supposedly smarter, more knowledgeable and expect more? Sounds like a colonist mentality.
There are plenty of educated Mexicans working in technology fields and alternative energy. And plenty who expect better from their govts.
Where things break down is on the local level, where the powers that be, the "good ole boys" network resent and oppose anyone trying to change how
they have always done things, which is usually rife with grift and corruption. It's a long-standing and deeply ingrained societal issue, not a lack of
technology, vision, or skills.
The crook who ran the water and septic system in my town for 18 years had to be forced out through years-long legal action mounted by local Mexicans
who were fed up with him spending the money on horses and other personal enrichment, rather than upgrading the system with new and better equipment
instead of jerry-rigging everything. He even used to
neglect to pay the CFE bills, so the whole town wouldn't receive water for days or more.
But there was a certain contingent of locals who wanted him to remain, because they were personally profiting in some way.
[Edited on 5-27-2024 by surabi]
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RFClark
Super Nomad
Posts: 2431
Registered: 8-27-2015
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Mood: Looking forward to 2024
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Yep, all the best hotels and restaurants have outhouses or a plastic bucket in a 55 gal drum next to the toilet. It’s those damned smart-ass
foreigners demanding flush toilets, AC and all night electricity that ruin all that 3rd world charm! (Irony!)
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surabi
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3907
Registered: 5-6-2016
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I was coming to Mexico 54 years ago, when there were few expat foreigners and many less tourists and never encountered a hotel or restaurant,
including non-fancy ones, that didn't have flush toilets or running water.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5946
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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In 1999 I visited Bahia de Los Angles for the first time. I picked a motel that seemed like a good spot, but the city powerplant did not run all
night, and they did not have a back-up generator.
The lady who was traveling with me was showering and had just lathered up the shampoo when the power went offline. The water pressure went to zero,
so she finished up the shower with me pouring bottled water over her.
When we went out for dinner, we wound up eating at the next motel down the road which did have a generator. I still remember the icy stare while she
analyzed my choice of motels!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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RFClark
Super Nomad
Posts: 2431
Registered: 8-27-2015
Member Is Offline
Mood: Looking forward to 2024
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Back in the early ‘60s the road between San Diego and TJ ran next to the “river”. The slope up both sides were covered with “homes” made
from appliance cartons. I doubt that many had flush toilets and running water unless it was raining!
That area is rather more gentrified these days! Seńor Frog’s does have flush toilets!
Tourism is 8% of Mexico’s GDP and provides 4.5 million jobs.
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