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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3533
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Rant on snooty ex-pats
I suppose I can chalk it up to normal human behavior but over the last few years I’ve become aware that there is a small but significant population of
folks who consider themselves way better than me. I’ve developed a snooty index that goes something like this (answer ‘true’ or ‘false’):
South is better than north.
Pacific side to East Cape is better than SOC
Fido is better than leased.
Beach front is way, way better than, well everything else.
Full-time is better than snow bird is better than occasional visitor.
Snow bird with cabin in Alaska is better than anyone on the planet.
Fiberglass hull with extreme dead-rise is better than aluminum.
Center console is better than tiller.
Custom ordered panga is better than used bought from a local.
Diesel is better than gas.
1 ton is better than ¾ is better than 1/2 is better than a car.
Graphite is better than a fiberglass Uglystick.
Custom wrapped is better than factory wrapped.
Braid is better than mono.
2 speed lever-drag is better than one speed star drag.
Trolling all day at the 100 fathom mark is better than inshore.
Original Amigos poster is better than Nomad poster.
Pacifico is better than Tecate is better than Modelo light.
Having shared a beer with Graham is better than not.
Driving the road pre-pavement is better than never having done so.
Saying Mexico is S.O.S. is better than celebrating the differences.
Hiding a pistol in the cab where it won’t be found but you can grab it real quick is better than driving ‘naked’.
This all came to a head after meeting a stranger at a café going the opposite direction than me. As we both were traveling alone, we struck up a
conversation that soon had me wallowing in self-pity and shame as I was made to realize, very subtly but surely, I was doing everything the wrong way
in Baja but it just so happened that he was doing everything the right way. I suppose if you drive a diesel, have fished the entire peninsula for
over 30 years and finally settled in Abreojos because it’s the only place yet to be gringo-ized, then you win – you really are better than me.
To be honest, I took the quiz myself and had a pretty high “true” score. I just hope than when I meet some poor slob who has a trailer in San Felipe
for the winter before heading home to Kansas for the summer I won’t say “oh” and move to another table on the opposite side of the room. Afterall,
might could be a nice guy.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Good observations. It's hard to imagine that such a rustic place as Baja could breed such snobbishness. [Is that a word]
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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There is something to be said for that "snooty index". I figure the "snobbishness" comes from folks who need to find ways to validate their decision
to do what they do and where they do it. Generally because they don't have enough self-confidence to decide for themselves what is right and what
isn't.
What I do down here, where I do it and in what manner I do it is just what it is. I couldn't give a burro's patoony what anybody else thinks or if it
makes sense to them. In fact I hope most folks DON'T want to do things the way I do.
I really enjoy the solitude...
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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Santiago...thanks for exposing another of my "shadows". (That which I hide, repress or deny). I find myself talking about the 32 times I've been over
the Baja highway. Right! Those are one-ways Sixteen isn't enough. I have to make it sound like more. Thirty-two ain't squat compared to the
more fortunate among us, but it damned sure is nothing to be ashamed of. So my truth is I fish (joyfully) with WalMart equipment. I drive an old truck
with 160,000 miles. I've never ever been to BOLA, and may not need to go. I have never seen a live fish with a bill. I can't conjugate Spanish verbs
in the future or conditional and several other tenses.
I love the place more than even I know, and it gives me great pleasure to say to my friends: En mi corazon soy un parte Mexicano.
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
Member Is Offline
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Be very careful
| Quote: |
"Afterall, might could be a nice guy"
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Or Jesus Christ,
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
Member Is Offline
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No,it's ok
| Quote: | Originally posted by Santiago
South is better than north.
Pacific side to East Cape is better than SOC
Fido is better than leased.
Beach front is way, way better than, well everything else.
Full-time is better than snow bird is better than occasional visitor.
Snow bird with cabin in Alaska is better than anyone on the planet.
Fiberglass hull with extreme dead-rise is better than aluminum.
Center console is better than tiller.
Custom ordered panga is better than used bought from a local.
Diesel is better than gas.
1 ton is better than ¾ is better than 1/2 is better than a car.
Graphite is better than a fiberglass Uglystick.
Custom wrapped is better than factory wrapped.
Braid is better than mono.
2 speed lever-drag is better than one speed star drag.
Trolling all day at the 100 fathom mark is better than inshore.
Original Amigos poster is better than Nomad poster.
Pacifico is better than Tecate is better than Modelo light.
Having shared a beer with Graham is better than not.
Driving the road pre-pavement is better than never having done so.
Saying Mexico is S.O.S. is better than celebrating the differences.
Hiding a pistol in the cab where it won’t be found but you can grab it real quick is better than driving ‘naked’.
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It's ok to have any or all that stuff but my dog is still better than yours. 
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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El Camote
Senior Nomad
Posts: 514
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Above the clouds
Member Is Offline
Mood: y Blues
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Santiago
. I just hope than when I meet some poor slob who has a trailer in San Felipe for the winter before heading home to Kansas for the summer I won’t say
“oh” and move to another table on the opposite side of the room. Afterall, might could be a nice guy. |
From the APSTSF, Association of Poor Slobs with Trailers in San Felipe ,we collectively say, "Hey, we resemble that remark!"
Knowledge is good. - Emil Faber
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jbcoug
Senior Nomad
Posts: 709
Registered: 9-24-2006
Location: Vancouver, WA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Needing Baja!
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| Quote: | | It's ok to have any or all that stuff but my dog is still better than yours. |
Sharksbaja,
At least you have your priorities in order!
jbcoug
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1628
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
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South is better than north. - Meets my needs better
Pacific side to East Cape is better than SOC - Surfing yes, Fishing no
Fido is better than leased. - Depends on what you have invested
Beach front is way, way better than, well everything else. - For me yes
Full-time is better than snow bird is better than occasional visitor. - disagee
Snow bird with cabin in Alaska is better than anyone on the planet. - You couldn't drag me to Alaska
Fiberglass hull with extreme dead-rise is better than aluminum. - only for cruising, not fishing
Center console is better than tiller. Personal preference
Custom ordered panga is better than used bought from a local. Still looking for a good used one
Diesel is better than gas. I like the torque and the mileage
1 ton is better than ¾ is better than 1/2 is better than a car. 3/4 handles my needs without beating myself to death with a one ton
Graphite is better than a fiberglass Uglystick. Have both
Custom wrapped is better than factory wrapped. I like to wrap rods when I can't fish
Braid is better than mono. Not from your own boat and can chase your fish
2 speed lever-drag is better than one speed star drag. Trolling yes, casting no
Trolling all day at the 100 fathom mark is better than inshore. Not if you're looking for dinner
Original Amigos poster is better than Nomad poster. No comment
Pacifico is better than Tecate is better than Modelo light. Definitely
Having shared a beer with Graham is better than not. Was he buying?
Driving the road pre-pavement is better than never having done so. Pre or post pavement it is worth doing at least once
Saying Mexico is S.O.S. is better than celebrating the differences. Who the loser here?
Hiding a pistol in the cab where it won’t be found but you can grab it real quick is better than driving ‘naked’. My preference is to be naked in my
car rather than naked in a jail cell with Julio for the rest of my life!
You need to work on your confidence factor. Why do you assume you are doing things wrong just because he is doing what is right for him. Remember
your question about celebrating differences.
For me its like trying to find the perfect boat - it doesn't exist, everything is a compromise. At least until they develop a 60' battlewagon that
can fish the Hurricane Bank and then morph into a 14' aluminum to fish the mangroves.
[Edited on 5-1-2009 by Alan]
In Memory of E-57
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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Hey Santiago,
Good post! I've always conveyed to friends that my opinions regarding Baja reflect my experiences. Too often, I hear people on this board or in
conversation make blanket statements of truth. Drives me crazy.....
Zac
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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Sorry Alan, but you just don't have what it takes to make the snooty list.
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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Dear Alan
If there are pictures of you naked with Julio, post them on UTube and you will be able to make bail.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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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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Jeez! This covers a lot of ground. Alaska to Baja! That includes one heck of a lot of water and many road miles. 
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1628
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
If there are pictures of you naked with Julio, post them on UTube and you will be able to make bail. |
I
don't carry a gun so there won't be any pictures with Julio.
Besides, you couldn't handle naked pictures of me! Trust me, you really couldn't. Even my wife has difficulty.
[Edited on 5-1-2009 by Alan]
In Memory of E-57
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
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Very difficult for me to cop a snooty attitude because I was raised in the swamps of South Florida, grew up on nothin but wienie water and right now
you couldn't hire me to be the way I am.
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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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Osprey! Yea!
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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That is a classic list................one of my top ten posts!!
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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It's a funny thing. My guess is there might be "more than one way to skin a cat". And the person gets to choose which way they like best.
Something about personal freedom and choice I think.
To each his own.
Different strokes for different folks
etc...etc...
[Edited on 5-1-2009 by fishbuck]
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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Paula
Super Nomad
Posts: 2219
Registered: 1-5-2006
Location: Loreto
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OK.... dog's name is Fillmore, not Fido, and he's rarely leashed. Live in Loreto Centro, have a house in Montana too, but I'm NOT a snowbird. Custom
Diaz panga, center console, don't fish but my husband does. Like my bacon wrapped hotdogs done by hand, not at a factory. Drink only white wine.
Prefer Bruce Berger's books, don't know why he's never bought me a beer. Drive a Honda CR-V, like to drive it on dirt roads better than The Road. Do
not like guns. Get many compliments on my excellent Spanish. And I'm defineitely one of the ten coolest people in Baja
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