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dianaji
Senior Nomad
Posts: 606
Registered: 8-12-2008
Location: San Marcos, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: hungry for knowledge, simplicity, hugs and fish tacos!
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Entering Mexico present conditions
i have not been to la mision for about a month and wonder how conditions are driving through the border...with the swine flu thing. the last time i
was there i left feeling disappointed. i got a taste of having people not keep their word, not finishing a job...all of that. the electric poles are
up, however, no electricity as yet. it's difficult to find someone in the community to tell me what's going on, what's being done and why there is no
electricity yet. it is very discouraging. seems i have to drive all the way there to find out.
since my home here in the U.S. is still not sold, i don't know if i'll ever get there. if anyone knows of someone that might want to rent my place,
please u2 me.
thanks for listening.
diana
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
Member Is Offline
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You sound very confused, helpless. Your first posts announced the arrival of a free spirit, a confident adventurer. You were tentative, unorganized. I
had a hard time believing you were doing adult things. Not many on the board would have advised the way you carved out a spartan environement for
yourself. We said that. You scoffed and said you were dedicated. You ask us how/where to buy bread, water. No other gringos I can remember on this
board showed less resources, less gumption than you have exibited so far. I'm looking for the day you make a breakthrough -- find some
water/doughnuts/molding clay/electricity/happiness in Baja California.
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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Try not to get discouraged. It does take patience. I wish I had solid advice for you but I'm sort of a newbie also.
There are some very knowlegable people on here and maybe they can help.
Don't give up you dream!
"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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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I think you should read 'God and Mr. Gomez' and learn about 'Mexican Time' and the reality of getting 'modern services' in a Third World country...
With that said, I am sure we all want you to have a good Baja experience... But realize it will be a Baja/ Mexican experience... not like one you have
ever had in San Marcos, CA or elsewhere north of the border.
Frankly, I am amazed that you actually got as much done as you have in so short a time... like moving a mobile home into Mexico.... YOU IMPRESSED US,
Diana!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Oh, there was a 3 year old boy kidnapped in San Bernardino and the southbound cars are being inspected closely today, it was reported... So, some
delays going south, perhaps.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Mexico
Diana.......just as DavdK says, once you cross the border, you are on "Mexico Time".
Two suggestions:
Get and read "God and Mr Gomez" by Jack Smith (out of print, but can be obtained from Amazon.com).
If you want the job done to your specificatons, you have to be there......the job will get done, but probaby not on your timetable or schedule........
In Mexico you either have to be flexible or you will break.
Sempre Gumby (always flexible)
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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It's Animal Farm. Pigs everywhere. Enter at your own risk.
oinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoink
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
It's Animal Farm. Pigs everywhere. Enter at your own risk.
oinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoinkoink |
See, I told you there were knowledgable people in here!
"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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susanna
Junior Nomad
Posts: 76
Registered: 2-17-2008
Member Is Offline
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Good Luck, Mexico is not for everybody. I thought i wanted to retire in Baja but
found out it was not for me, I quess when you are used to having all the facilities we have here in the states it is hard to give them up, like paved
roads and sidewalks.Too dusty for me. The best thing is you can always come back.
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dianaji
Senior Nomad
Posts: 606
Registered: 8-12-2008
Location: San Marcos, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: hungry for knowledge, simplicity, hugs and fish tacos!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
You sound very confused, helpless. Your first posts announced the arrival of a free spirit, a confident adventurer. |
| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
You sound very confused, helpless. Your first posts announced the arrival of a free spirit, a confident adventurer. |
not confused...helpless, no. or perhaps helpless in regards to wanting things done by my time...i am me, from the east, and mexico is
mexico...however, there are many things i love about baja...a sense of freedom and doing "my thing."
i love this forum and all of the help and advice given... u have been my tour guides...restaurants, bakeries, roads, etc.
adventurer...absolutely. i will always be... and i ain't giving up. things change... i put my whole heart in this journey
thanks, diana
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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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Let's put this in some sort of perspective. Diana is looking to settle into a property in the La Mision area. Gentrified, close to the border. Not
talking about off the grid stuff in BOLA, or Concepcion. She'll be close to coveted stuff like Walmart and Home Depot. If that's too scary for you,
let me know what you want for your property.
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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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Gawd. Jack Smith was so awesome.
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schwlind
Nomad
Posts: 362
Registered: 8-30-2008
Location: Daytona Beach, FL/San Antonio Del Mar (Colonet)
Member Is Offline
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I ditto DavidK and Bajaguy's recommendation about reading "God and Mr. Gomez". I have it in hard cover as well as an absolutely fabulous
Books-On-Tape version read by Michael Prichard. If you can ever find this audio version read by Prichard, you will not be disappointed.
I was first introduced to Baja in 1993 by a former Chi-town friend who moved to LA about 10 years prior. My friend was introduced to Baja by an LA
friend of hers, whose uncle was an old time resident of San Antonio Del Mar, and quite a knowledgeable, gruff but endearing character of sorts.
My friend rented a little plot of land in San Antonio Del Mar (near Colonet) for $500 USD per year, had a pad poured by a local, who grew to be a
terrific friend, and placed a tiny trailer on the site, on a beautiful bluff overlooking the magnificent Pacific and miles of pristine beaches.
I visited Baja as often as time would permit over the ensuing years, until we finally decided to buy a piece of this land with the hopes of eventually
"living the retirement dream" in Baja California. My friends, far more intrepid than I, built houses first, and their "experiences" of building in
Baja was quite the education for me. Even armed with the knowledge of my friends' experiences, and thinking that I could avoid their pitfalls, I set
about finding a builder to finally build my dream retirement home in Baja.
After finding a builder in late 2002, I made my first road trip to Baja from the east coast of FL in 2003 (finally had enough of the northern climes'
winters after 33 years of living in Chicago and moved to FL). I had somehow heard about "God and Mr. Gomez" and bought the audio version for my 3-1/2
day across country trip. The volumes of this delightful, often humorous book relating the writer's experiences of building in La Bocana, only added a
greater degree of understanding about what "building in Baja" really translated to. Well, as is usually the case, despite my thinking that I knew
what to expect, not much went as I had hoped for.
The bottom line is do not be discouraged, but realize if things take a year to accomplish in the states, be prepared for it to take 3 in Baja. Go
with the knowledge that seldom do things happen or get completed on YOUR schedule, but will get done when they are done. Rather than becoming
frustrated… soak in the beauty of the land, the charm of the people and their culture. You have accomplished much in a very brief time, so don't
worry, be happy. Do what you can do, push for completion when and where you can and throw your frustration away when it doesn't go the way you want,
when you want. I think one thing Baja is definitely teaching me… be patient… (which for this A-type personality… is a hard lesson learned… but I'm
slowly making progress!)
Good Luck!
Linda
PS… While we were told the builder's work for our house would be completed by 3rd quarter 2003… it was actually December 2004 before the house was
fully enclosed and the builder's portion of the work primarily completed. The builder was contracted to build the base structure including all
interior partitioning for the various rooms, rough in the plumbing for water and gas and electrical. We would do all the finish work ourselves… While
much has been accomplished since December 2004, our house is still a "work in progress", but we love it!
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dianaji
Senior Nomad
Posts: 606
Registered: 8-12-2008
Location: San Marcos, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: hungry for knowledge, simplicity, hugs and fish tacos!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Let's put this in some sort of perspective. Diana is looking to settle into a property in the La Mision area. Gentrified, close to the border. Not
talking about off the grid stuff in BOLA, or Concepcion. She'll be close to coveted stuff like Walmart and Home Depot. If that's too scary for you,
let me know what you want for your property. |
exactly! however, although a city girl, my heart belongs in the country... i want sustainable living, a compost pile, chickens, worms in the ground,
a community around me...yet, i want lights, tv., internet...somewhere close to san diego where there is a TRADER JOES! patience??? what do i want
for my property? i want my septic finished, the ground leveled so i can fill the ground with every kind of fruit tree that i can grow and, and,
and... a place for my free spirit to grow and a place that doesn't say no to every simple little thing i need. i love the mountain in front of me
and a view of the ocean to the side of me that is there in la mision. patience??? yes, this is perhaps what i must learn and i am being tested big
time.
thanks for all and any encouragement.
diana
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Another book that relates how things are done in Mexico (as far as building a house goes) is Ben Hunter's 'The Baja Feeling' c1978. A really good
reading book about discovering Baja and finally building a home near Ensenada.
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dianaji
Senior Nomad
Posts: 606
Registered: 8-12-2008
Location: San Marcos, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: hungry for knowledge, simplicity, hugs and fish tacos!
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it's not so much the problems i am having with my cielo in la mision...it is the fact that i cannot be there to tend to things that need to be done.
i am so ready to leave all behind in the states and let it all go...like give it away...however, that is so very naive...and unaffordable. so, i just
trust that it's all good and perfect and i am exactly where i need to be...whether i think it or not...
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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Something I realized over time... what does it matter if it takes longer? You have the rest of your life to enjoy the project and when its done you'll
start another. And besides the longer it takes to install electricity the more money you save...
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dianaji
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Let's put this in some sort of perspective. Diana is looking to settle into a property in the La Mision area. Gentrified, close to the border. Not
talking about off the grid stuff in BOLA, or Concepcion. She'll be close to coveted stuff like Walmart and Home Depot. If that's too scary for you,
let me know what you want for your property. |
exactly! however, although a city girl, my heart belongs in the country... i want sustainable living, a compost pile, chickens, worms in the ground,
a community around me...yet, i want lights, tv., internet...somewhere close to san diego where there is a TRADER JOES! patience??? what do i want
for my property? i want my septic finished, the ground leveled so i can fill the ground with every kind of fruit tree that i can grow and, and,
and... a place for my free spirit to grow and a place that doesn't say no to every simple little thing i need. i love the mountain in front of me
and a view of the ocean to the side of me that is there in la mision. patience??? yes, this is perhaps what i must learn and i am being tested big
time.
thanks for all and any encouragement.
diana |
Then hang in there! You've got the right attitude, even if not all the logistical and emotional tools you will need. Keep your watch running slow,
your mind and ears open, mouth mostly closed and your skin thick. You have the plan and the money- so you are in control and don't forget that. Once
everything is done and you are settled in- these challenging times will be a fond memory shared over drinks and food with your new Baja friends.
Nothing runs smooth, nothing runs on time- the faster you can go with the flow the freer your mind will be to concentrate on the importnat things-
your plantings and animals. JMHO though.
[Edited on 5-6-2009 by Woooosh]
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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dianaji
Senior Nomad
Posts: 606
Registered: 8-12-2008
Location: San Marcos, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: hungry for knowledge, simplicity, hugs and fish tacos!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
Something I realized over time... what does it matter if it takes longer? You have the rest of your life to enjoy the project and when its done you'll
start another. And besides the longer it takes to install electricity the more money you save... |
yes, don't push the river! however, although i love to save, i also love action even more. although my spirit is young, i don't have as many years
that u might imagine. so, i just carry on as well as i can and am adjusting to not having it happen RIGHT NOW!
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dianaji
Senior Nomad
Posts: 606
Registered: 8-12-2008
Location: San Marcos, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: hungry for knowledge, simplicity, hugs and fish tacos!
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whoosh, you said, "Then hang in there! You've got the right attitude, even if not all the logistical and emotional tools you will need. Keep your
watch running slow, your mind and ears open, mouth mostly closed and your skin thick. You have the plan and the money- so you are in control and don't
forget that. Once everything is done and you are settled in- these challenging times will be a fond memory shared over drinks and food with your new
Baja friends. Nothing runs smooth, nothing runs on time- the faster you can go with the flow the freer your mind will be to concentrate on the
importnat things- your plantings and animals. "
thanks whoosh,
my mind and ears are always open...my skin is not thick, (sigh). every day is a lesson. no, i don't have the money...however, i know how to handle
the little i have. yes, "go with the flow"...that's the lesson.
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