Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Helping the Mexicans II
Man, JR's post went to sh-t in a hurry !
I think the topic is worthy and have my own opinions.....
Things we do in Baja;
Bring school supplies, learning aides and comfort/fun stuff for the schools in an attempt to make learning easier and more attractive for the local
kids. Education is numero uno !!
Spend our money in the smaller stores and businesses where the money stays in the local small-town economy.
I think having enough $ to take care of their families gives rise to anyones spirits; whether they chose to be maids, cooks, engineers or doctors.
Just so we treat them all with the same respect.
Be friendly to the kids and families. Although I don't think charity is ever a long-term solution, sharing school supplies and basic clothing, if done
privately and correctly not only helps in the short term but fosters some great relationships.
We've met a few local teachers along the way who do great things with some of the teaching aids we leave.
Anytime I can interact with a local from anyplace different than I'm used to, I try to learn all I can. Likewise, they learn from us. Better they meet
some more normal gringos than to see us only as tourists who are so different from them.
Unique opportunities to be helpful (and make yourself feel really good) abound in Baja.
A group of long-time seasonal campers who are/were teachers back home provide at least one full time teacher at the local school each year. This has
been going on for years and now some of the gringo camper kids go to school there as well; great interactions.
Another friend consulted, as have I, with a small local builder and helped him build his business (and employees) by adding some efficiency to his
operation.
Another friend who is a chef lended his talents to helping a local friend open his own restaurant.
Bottom line, there are tons of ways to help people who are motivated to help themselves. You just have to have your eyes open. At the least, be civil,
treat everyone with respect, and you will help keep everyone open to everyone else.
Just to show that I'm not a total idealist idiot;
You also have to take care not to promote some of the bad things about tourists in Baja.
Don't leave things laying around camp or house to be tempting. If we can stop those few people from making a living taking advantage of the tourists,
things will be better. Realizing of course, that there is burglery and drugs all over the US as well.
Just a few of my Sunday morning thoughts.....
[Edited on 8-14-2005 by Diver]
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
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Location: South of the broder
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Excellent Diver
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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Excellent ideas for everyone, and no ruffled feathers it going to be a great day.
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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jim janet
Junior Nomad
Posts: 78
Registered: 1-2-2004
Location: victoria bc
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Well put,if we all followed these simple things Baja and California would be better places.
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Frank
Senior Nomad
Posts: 861
Registered: 6-5-2005
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Is it time to leave yet?
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Thanks for sending me in the right direction.
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Your thoughts are very true Diver. Many of us actually accomplish one or more of your suggestions daily regardless of which side of a border we find
ourselves on. Sometimes it isn't that we're really trying to do good, it's just that we have found that that's a way to live life and be happy.
Helping others is inherent in most of us.
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Anonymous
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Nice to be on a thread that is... nice! Salute to you, Diver. I do what I can, also, to keep the true Baja spirit nourished. It is somewhat like
the 'code of the north'.
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Diver
Man, JR's post went to sh-t in a hurry !
I think the topic is worthy and have my own opinions.....
Things we do in Baja;
Bring school supplies, learning aides and comfort/fun stuff for the schools in an attempt to make learning easier and more attractive for the local
kids. Education is numero uno !!
Spend our money in the smaller stores and businesses where the money stays in the local small-town economy.
I think having enough $ to take care of their families gives rise to anyones spirits; whether they chose to be maids, cooks, engineers or doctors.
Just so we treat them all with the same respect.
Be friendly to the kids and families. Although I don't think charity is ever a long-term solution, sharing school supplies and basic clothing, if done
privately and correctly not only helps in the short term but fosters some great relationships.
We've met a few local teachers along the way who do great things with some of the teaching aids we leave.
Anytime I can interact with a local from anyplace different than I'm used to, I try to learn all I can. Likewise, they learn from us. Better they meet
some more normal gringos than to see us only as tourists who are so different from them.
Unique opportunities to be helpful (and make yourself feel really good) abound in Baja.
A group of long-time seasonal campers who are/were teachers back home provide at least one full time teacher at the local school each year. This has
been going on for years and now some of the gringo camper kids go to school there as well; great interactions.
Another friend consulted, as have I, with a small local builder and helped him build his business (and employees) by adding some efficiency to his
operation.
Another friend who is a chef lended his talents to helping a local friend open his own restaurant.
Bottom line, there are tons of ways to help people who are motivated to help themselves. You just have to have your eyes open. At the least, be civil,
treat everyone with respect, and you will help keep everyone open to everyone else.
Just to show that I'm not a total idealist idiot;
You also have to take care not to promote some of the bad things about tourists in Baja.
Don't leave things laying around camp or house to be tempting. If we can stop those few people from making a living taking advantage of the tourists,
things will be better. Realizing of course, that there is burglery and drugs all over the US as well.
Just a few of my Sunday morning thoughts.....
[Edited on 8-14-2005 by Diver] |
I agree they tore up Jrbajas good post in a hurry. it doesn't mater what he posts anymore they lay in to him anyway.
Diver I could agree more with your and Baja's Ideas on helping Mexicans. the only thing I might add Is not to over do it and make sure you know the
people very well before you give a lot of stuff. and do it in privet don't blab all over Baja Ca. that you gave a bunch of things to the ........
family.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Your right Mike, maybe it's just a matter of considering ourselves to be "living" in Baja when we visit, instead of acting like the tourist to be
served. Infortunately, helping others is not inherent in many/most people but most of "those" don't bother reading our thoughts and suggestions.
I think that most of us who have the funds to own a computer etc, have some amount of $ more than much of the world (and some of our neighbors).
When I elect to support a few kids at my daughter's school in paying the fee for their after-school karate class, I consider it an investment in
society; not charity. The discipline they learn in class is really needed for some of these kids. I also love to find used baseball gear and soccer
balls to take to either US or Baja kids.
A few years ago we took a small 12v TV, about 20 old National Geographic tapes and a small solar charger to one of the farm area schools. They were a
HUGE hit and really open the kids minds to worlds outside their own. We've got some spanish language schools in the area so we can always pick up used
school books and reading books to take south.
It's all easy if you take a minute to consider..... and it feels really good !
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Yes Bruce, as I suggested "privately and correctly".
If you notice, I don't say where/who we have befriended. Each experience is unique and although there are many places (schools, orphanages) to drop
things at anytime, I agree that the most valuable experiences for both sides are the unique and private ones we discover ourselves.
Anyone with the attitude af the great white (or any color) savior should probably just phone in their orders to some 800 number !!
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Sometimes the ways we help are indirect and have the good and the bad all wrapped up as one: the Internet for example. While there are many examples
we can all share, I have one that sticks out in my mind.
We were in Puerto San Carlos for several days and I wanted to get on the Internet to pay some bills or something. I located the tiny Internet Kiosk
and went inside to find that all 6 machines were tied up with the local children doing research for their homework, and all on the Internet.
While not everyone can access the Internet it does open the doors to some. I know this is indirect and that it doesn't take the place of personal
contact, but every little bit helps.
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10580
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Pleaseeeeee
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
I agree they tore up Jrbajas good post in a hurry. it doesn't mater what he posts anymore they lay in to him anyway.
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Oh, the pity you have for your Bamboozo friend. Let's see, the first 4 words in JR's post where you claim he was unfairly "laid into" were: "For the
really stupid,..." And continued: "But I don't expect the idiots on here to understand thoughts like this..." Boy, that's some way to give others
advice on lending a helping hand.
[Edited on 8-14-2005 by JZ]
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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I wonder if BAJANOMAD is a restricted site !! 
Not so funny.......?? Not on this thread I don't !!
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by JZ
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
I agree they tore up Jrbajas good post in a hurry. it doesn't mater what he posts anymore they lay in to him anyway.
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Oh, the pity you have for your Bamboozo friend. Let's see, the first 4 words in JR's post where you claim he was unfairly "laid into" were: "For the
really stupid,..." And continued: "But I don't expect the idiots on here to understand thoughts like this..." Boy, that's some way to give others
advice on lending a helping hand.
[Edited on 8-14-2005 by JZ] |
JZ I'm not doing this for a Friend or because I am a follower of some club I'm only doing the same thing I would do for JZ if some one unfairly mis
interrupted one of your posts
Jrbaja did not say that you or I are "stupid," "idiots," and "Pathetic. did he?
I wonder why some people take Immediate offense when some posts certain words like that. I always figure they are talking about the people that fit in
to that category.
I know my spelling is Pathetic. so I guess maybe I fit in but it is the truth so I am not mad about that.
[Edited on 8-14-2005 by Bruce R Leech]
[Edited on 8-14-2005 by Bruce R Leech]
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Affiance
Bruce:
"I wonder why some people take Immediate affiance when some posts certain words like that. I always figure they are talking about the people that fit
in to that category."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have to admit that one stopped me. Sometimes it's hard to know whether it is a spelling error or a usage error. In this case, the word "Affiance"
is to bind in a pledge of marriage. I doubt that anything JR said would have that result.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Registered: N/A
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Mr. Bill. Are you the new Baja spell checker? Or are you just trying to dazzle us with your dictionary? This is a good thread. Why the need to pick
everything apart?
Maybe you could wow us with some of your brilliant stories of baja, instead of being involved in every arguement on Nomad.
For all you newbies out there. You don't have to open every thread.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Hey, It's a tough Job.............
But somebody has to do it. I notice that Bruce corrected his "Affiance" to "offense" which makes a lot more sense. I was worried he was inferring
that someone was considering proposing to JR. That would be a match made in Hades.
Like JR (sort of) I'm just trying to bring improvement (and literacy) to the lives of others. The tough ones to decipher sometimes are like the last
one when a gross misspelling creates a completely different word.
Feel free to correct any of my spelling errors. I won't take offense.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Bruce rarely misspells. He just uses a different word that sound the same most of the time. That one was a little different.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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