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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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Baja Troubadour
Most of us Baja folks have met this gentleman a time or two in our rounds of the local cantinas. You know him the minute you see him. A bit seedy,
carrying a guitar, and wearing an old light grey flannel suit that has turned to a yellow-brown color with age. He is normally a tad shorter than
most guys but his sideways measurements would make his a giant of a man were they added to his height.
Anyway, he first hits on the bartender for the one and only free drink he knows he will get on the house because he adds color for the tourists.
Finishing that he begins to wander around the tables offering to sing for a drink or occasionally for something to eat. Sad because, if he ever could
sing, over the years his voice has been destroyed by the demon drink.
Well, my wife and an old friend who happened to be a mature Mexican lady were nursing our drinks between dancing to the house musicians. During a
break in the dancing Mr. Troubadour approached our table and sat down like he owned the place. Our friend, being fluent in both English and Spanish,
took exception to not only his presence but also to his smell and attire. She cut loose with a rapid fire string of Spanish that had the poor guy
cringing in his chair. As she continued be berate the poor old man he suddenly got down from his chair and drawing himself up to his full height of
about 5 ‘4” and asked, in perfect English, “Senorita, would you care to dance.” This was just way to much for our lady friend and she again launched
into a tirade about self respect among other things. The only thing I was sure I caught was when slowed down and she finished with a comment about
gravy stains on the guys pants, He, again drew himself into a posture like an old time drill instructor and said, “My dear lady those are not gravy
stains.”
He walked away from the table with his head held high as the entire bar roared at the lady’s mistake.
Viva Antiguo Baja!
I thought of this story as I was trying to formulate a response to a U-2-U from a very polite newby who was taking exception to comments I have made.
One was about my mentioning my decision to sell in Baja and move everything back to the states and another had to do with a comment about boomers.
He called some of my statements ‘provocative’ and basically said he didn’t understand where I was coming from. (I can appreciate this because quite
often I am not even sure of that).
Anyway, as I was trying to think of a polite response that would or could answer his questions I received another query about two days later wanting
to know if he had lost me. The answer to that simple question of whether he had lost me is Yes and No.
Well! I decided that I would never be able to successfully answer him because my responses would have only been understood by others who had
experienced similar things to those I had experienced in Baja. To understand they would have to have been exposed to a Baja that really no longer
exists. Not that that even matters to the new arrivals because they are happy with the Baja they have found. And that is how it should be.
I guess what I am trying to say is that—you cannot miss those things that you have not experienced or known. So there it is—when David K starts
talking about old maps of Baja I could care less because I have never had a need for them, I don’t understand them—and I don’t even want to.
So my friend, I guess you will have to settle with that answer because it is the only one I can give.
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Ah Bernie .... I feel your frustration.
We may not have todays Baja, changed as it has and torn apart with everything Detroit and Tokyo could throw at it but, we have the memories.
Remember when you could stand in the desert at night and it was so quiet you swore you could hear your hair grow?
Remember when you would leave Hussongs at nine P.M. and the street would be empty?
Or when nothing opened before ten A.M.?
And gas was almost free?
How about San Felipe when a Playboy magazine would trade for more shrimp than you could carry?
And those days when local crime was non-existant?
Not to mention Jack Smith when we all designed our lives around his experiences.
Times change Bernie but it cant take what we have. Our memories. They're ours forever.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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Sniff!
So true................................................Thanks
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Two great post...I don't know if I feel like a youngster or just missed the best of the best.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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No Al .... You're right in the middle of it....... A good place to be.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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That makes me feel better. I thoink
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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I follow your posts, Al, as one would follow Doonsbury. You will be one of my memories, rest assured. I kinda wish you were my next door neighbors
next door neighbor.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Grover -----
Only twenty cars?
That almost pre-dates memory. Those were the days.
I went through some deja vu last week when crossing at Tecate, 9 AM.
I was the only car there.
I have a feeling that may be one of my memories as well.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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Hey! Dennis
You're not as old as I thought if you don't remember those times.
Back then I was still driving in Baja at night and some time when we hit the border at about 0530 we would have to wake the guy up in the booth
You just can't believe what a difference 30 or 40 years can make.
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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I remember, Bernie.
On another occasion, many years ago, I drove up to the booth at Tecate and there was nobody even in the booth. I sat there for a couple of minutes
until a lady waddled out of the office, came over and sent me on my way.
Oh well, I remember vacant lots in Newport Beach, Cal. too.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Still smile whenever I hear "Louie Louie".
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Cypress ..
louielouie.net
I cant give you a link.... I dont know how.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Dennis,Must be a bunch of "Louie Louie" fans. I'm not alone in this world. Thanks.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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Dennis
What tolll road?
I vote for Louie, Louie and I'll dance along.
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Bernie ...
Toll road?
My first time south of Maneadero, the pavement ended just south of town. Drove down to San Vicente and the folks there thought we had ironing boards
sticking out of the back of the car.
What's a toll road?
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Grover...You da man..I love it, but How do I turn it off
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Ok..Ok..Lets give it to them...Right now!!
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Al ---
There are many other versions of Louie Louie for your listening pleasure..
Mexican version ......... Luis Luis
Italian .........................Luigi Luigi
Laguna Beach .............Louie Louise
Turn up the volume Al. This is culture.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13050
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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muchas gracias for getting me up dancing this morning...I had a big laugh as I tried to figure out where this awesome song was coming from???
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Cincodemayo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 3-7-2005
Location: Pacific NW
Member Is Offline
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Dennis...that's pronounced Lagayna Beach.
Don\'t get mad...
Get EVEN.
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