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Lobsterman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1775
Registered: 10-7-2008
Member Is Offline
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Why I do Not travel to Baja Anymore
Baja Judy,
It's been over two years now since I traveled south of the Border. The reason is solely SAFETY. I do not want to travel the gaunlet of thieves,
murders and worst. I first camped on the beach in baja in 1965 in the Puerto Penasco area and most years since. I was part of a camping boys group
starting about 15 years ago that traveled there 1-2 times a year for extended camping trips mainly to Mulege and LA bay areas. We brought little food
so we spent a lot of $ going down and back. The whole group does not go down any more for the same reason as I. SAFETY.
Two years ago I started going to another foreign country, LA (Lower Alabama). There you can carry a consealed weapon with an easy to obtain permit
with a clean background check. My counsin has no less than three guns in his car at any time. Needless to say carjacking, kidnapping, drill bits
drilled into your brain, fingers cutoff and mailed to your loveones, desolved in acid, etc. just does not happen there. You can defend yourself from
anyone who wants to try.
By the way fishing is fantastic both in the Bay and outside in the Gulf, homes are less than $100k by the beach/Bay, rent a 3brm 2 bath home on the
beach for less than $500. If baja did not deteriorate so much I would have never looked elsewhere. I'm 63 and retire in less than a year. Mulege
was where I had planned on retiring for over 20 years. Now it's Gulf Shores, Mobile Bay area.
I read this site everyday still because I love the baja experience, its beauty, the sea and the wonderful and caring people. I am also looking for a
sign that things are changing back to the way I remember it best. The recent capture to El Teo seems to have quieted things down a bit, so that's a
start.
Mexico get your act together or stop whinning about people like me not heading south. It's your country so clean it up!
Dennis
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Wherever I am, I'm there
Member Is Offline
Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lobsterman
It's been over two years now since I traveled south of the Border. The reason is solely SAFETY. |
I dunno, we travel the length of Baja by auto from California border to Cabo at leat once a year, sometimes more. Just two geriatric old people. We
never feel unsafe. In fact local Mexicans rescue us when we have occassional car trouble along the way. Maybe we should worry more.
| Quote: | | Two years ago I started going to another foreign country, LA (Lower Alabama). There you can carry a consealed weapon with an easy to obtain permit
with a clean background check. My counsin has no less than three guns in his car at any time. |
That's the reason I didn't choose Alabama for my retirement.
I'm happy you found your paradise location. Fortunately, there is enough of a variety in this world that everyone should be able to find their "best"
spot.
[Edited on 1-29-2010 by oxxo]
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
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Last time I looked Puerto Penasco wasn't in Baja.
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: up on step
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yeah, lemme retire to a place where everyone is packing heat...no, i'll stay here in mulege where the weather is warm and i don't have to worry about
someone pulling a sawed off shotgun on me...
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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baja Steve
Nomad
Posts: 471
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Bend, or
Member Is Offline
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Dennis
Glad to hear you have found your spot. Your are right Baja is not for everyone and thing are always changing down here. I have learned to live my life
in the present and not the past. As for me I travel Baja sur 3+ months each year doing volunteer work with the Mexican people in both cites and the
remote areas. I was just thinking how many times I locked my truck at night this year and I can only think of 7 or 8 times and that was when I took a
break and was staying in Cabo, so my view of Baja is very different, I love Baja and the people. I am also 63 started coming to Baja in 1968 and do
not pay any attention to what the papers print in the states or I would not even go downtown Portland Oregon or any other US city..
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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I'm still with BajaGrino.. watch out coming through Tijuana, roof top snipers, will get you with a head shot.. the large purple sore on my back keeps
getting bigger everyday.. every time I eat tamales and burritos from the tamale lady, I hurl and I'm sick until she shows up the next saturday..
people are really rude to me, they pull my cane out from under me so I fall down, they won't help me though doors, they always are giving me bad
looks, they yell at me "Gringo Go Home", they won't help me load water into the trunk of my car, or propane.. I don't have it delivered as I'm afraid
they will overwhelm me and my wife, kill my dogs for food and take my wife as a sex slave..
It's just awful down it the Baja, I would go back to the States, but I'm not sure I can afford to live there anymore because I can't pay my fair share
of the taxes which will be coming due very soon under the just "sterling" leadership of our elected officials and Titian's of finance
Yes would like to be able to live in that area, as you know your government will rush to your aide in the event of a natural catastrophe, and folks
are very understanding and tolerant too..
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ElFaro
Nomad
Posts: 231
Registered: 9-16-2007
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lobsterman
I read this site everyday still because I love the baja experience, its beauty, the sea and the wonderful and caring people. I am also looking for a
sign that things are changing back to the way I remember it best. The recent capture to El Teo seems to have quieted things down a bit, so that's a
start.
Mexico get your act together or stop whinning about people like me not heading south. It's your country so clean it up!
Dennis |
I read this site most days and for the past 5 years I haven't seen much that would indicate to me we tourists are being threatened much. Most of the
killings are between the drug people and bad cops confined to the border cities...something that has been going on for the last 30+ years and will
continue.
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Wherever I am, I'm there
Member Is Offline
Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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Lobsterman inspired me to do some research on the Internet. According to the current FBI statistics, Alabama is number 18 out of 50 for gun violence
in the US. Louisiana has the dubious honor of being number one, while Vermont and Hawaii have the least gun violence per capita. So gun availability
is really a wild card when it comes to violence.
Based on the statistics, I feel much safer in Baja than I would in Alabama, and yes, I have been there......briefly. Felt intimidated by all the guns
around. I'm sure Alabama is perfect for Lobsterman, and I am happy for him, it is just not my cup of tea. I believe that I have found paradise on
earth in my Baja retirement spot.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65286
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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While we did decide to do more American vacations in 2007 and 2008 as a sort-of boycott, we still go to Baja 4-6 trips per year and have NEVER had an
incident, nor ever needed to use our guns to defend ourselves.
Bad news sells... good news goes on page 13!
Obviously you should go where you can enjoy yourself... and if you are affraid, you won't be enjoying yourself!
I started traveling to Baja by four wheel drive in 1965 with parents and in 1974 without, when I was just 16, in my dune buggy and another high school
friend.
The place is magic and very special to me... I need Baja... If Baja kills me, then I will go being where I am the happiest!
[Edited on 1-30-2010 by David K]
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ElFaro
| Quote: | Originally posted by Lobsterman
I read this site everyday still because I love the baja experience, its beauty, the sea and the wonderful and caring people. I am also looking for a
sign that things are changing back to the way I remember it best. The recent capture to El Teo seems to have quieted things down a bit, so that's a
start.
Mexico get your act together or stop whinning about people like me not heading south. It's your country so clean it up!
Dennis |
I read this site most days and for the past 5 years I haven't seen much that would indicate to me we tourists are being threatened much. Most of the
killings are between the drug people and bad cops confined to the border cities...something that has been going on for the last 30+ years and will
continue. |
Yup, except the border violence has spiked in the past few years due to the destabilization of the balance of power between the cartels because of
Calderon's drug war. And since it has become very difficult to make meth in the US because of tighter controls of the precursor chemicals, Mexican
labs have been set up to fill the need. That has caused much more meth to be available in Mexico and an increase in the insanity caused by the drug.
Hopefully, with time, the violence will be reduced to a slow simmer instead of a rapid boil. Perhaps starting 2013 with the new prez. That's my
wishful thinking at least.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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OK, OK, you guys can (and will) say what you want, but I think that Lobsterman has a point, and I KNOW that many agree somewhat with him, including
me. Why must people take pot-shots at him just for putting forth an opinion----------it is only an opinion----------and he may be just "testing the
waters" here and seeing what kind of responses he gets--------?!?!?!?!
I dunno, I can never figure out why people get so upset with somebody elses opinion-----------but they do, and I am sure I do the same without
reallizing it.
Pretty funny.
I do completely agree that Mexico and her people have to do a better job of getting their act together---------and until they do (ever???) I too will
stay away and enjoy the country closer to home.
-------but I still love Baja, and miss her.
Barry
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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
Member Is Offline
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Are there lobsters in Alabama Lobsterman?
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ELINVESTIG8R
Select Nomad
Posts: 15882
Registered: 11-20-2007
Location: Southern California
Member Is Offline
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Lobsterman is entitled to his opinion. I think what he said is the perception many people have of Mexico. It’s not necessarily wrong. I am concerned
for my safety while in Mexico but I will not let that keep me from going. My mindset is that if I go to Mexico and I am ever confronted with violence
I am going down with a fight. Like I said elsewhere. One or both of us will not be going home after the confrontation.
PS: Don’t they have those things that look like little lobsters called Crayfish or Crawdads in Alabama?
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ELINVESTIG8R
Lobsterman is entitled to his opinion. I think what he said is the perception many people have of Mexico. It’s not necessarily wrong. I am concerned
for my safety while in Mexico but I will not let that keep me from going. My mindset is that if I go to Mexico and I am ever confronted with violence
I am going down with a fight. Like I said elsewhere. One or both of us will not be going home after the confrontation.
PS: Don’t they have those things that look like little lobsters called Crayfish or Crawdads in Alabama? |
I
am glad Lobsterman found his Nirvana. Even happier I have found mine, just a little further southwest
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Barry A.
OK, OK, you guys can (and will) say what you want, but I think that Lobsterman has a point, and I KNOW that many agree somewhat with him, including
me. Why must people take pot-shots at him just for putting forth an opinion----------it is only an opinion----------and he may be just "testing the
waters" here and seeing what kind of responses he gets--------?!?!?!?!
I dunno, I can never figure out why people get so upset with somebody elses opinion-----------but they do, and I am sure I do the same without
reallizing it.
Pretty funny.
I do completely agree that Mexico and her people have to do a better job of getting their act together---------and until they do (ever???) I too will
stay away and enjoy the country closer to home.
-------but I still love Baja, and miss her.
Barry |
Upset? Shoot the messenger?, don't think so, some of us were just trying to satirize an issue, which needs it .... Much over done on the dangers down
here, it's always been this way..
In the sixties you were treading on thin ice if you came down with long hair and a VW bus with "tie-dyed curtains".. Not too much different.. Then
coming down in a Lexus with diamonds, gold jewelry, iPhones, cell phones and Laptops.... to me.. your gona stick out and draw heat..
I've had folks try and pull me out of my car on Avalon and 106th in Los Angles.. Have had folks throw rocks at me in Delano, got shot at once outside
a bar in El Centro.. Fella pulled a knife on me in a bar in Fresno, Hey.. SH*T happens..
Up North I live in a City, which at times has been called the safest city in the United States.. Mission Viejo, CA
You can't walk down the street at night with out the police asking what are you doing walking around here and "let's see some ID" if your not in
jogging shorts or walking the dogs .. It’s a trade off.. With increased freedom, there comes increased personal responsibility to watch your a**.. A
lot of folks aren't comfortable with that.. Or have not had to deal with living in situations were it is required to keep safe, where if you don’t....
well you’re going to be in deep sh*t real fast...
I don't have a big problem with it.. We both carry protection and don't go places that gives the other guy a chance to put a "number" on us.. If those
are the rules, then those are the rules.. Here in Mexico... By the way what's percentage of folks in AL that are Hispanic and how are THEY treated
down there.. "The remaining 10 states that experienced the largest percentage change in their foreign-born Hispanic populations include: Alabama
(686 percent)," and those are for the decade 1990-2000... can't seem to find a recent number which is being reported...
You might want to come back to the Baja, as it would appear they are all moving to AL
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
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I wanna go back to Dixie
I wanna go back to Dixie,
Take me back to dear ol' Dixie,
That's the only li'l ol' place for li'l ol' me.
Ol' times there are not forgotten,
Whuppin' slaves and pickin' cotton,
And waitin' for the Robert E. Lee.
(It was never there on time.)
I'll go back to the Swanee,
Where pellagra makes you scrawny,
And the jasmine and the tear gas smell just fine
I really am a-fixin'
To go home and start a-mixin'
Down below that Mason-Dixon line.
Oh, poll tax, how I love ya, how I love ya,
My dear old poll tax.
Won'tcha come with me to Alabammy,
Back to the arms of my dear ol' Mammy,
Her cookin's lousy and her hands are clammy,
But what the hell, it's home.
Yes, for paradise the Southland is my nominee.
Jes' give me a ham hock and a grit of hominy.
I wanna go back to Dixie
I wanna be a dixie pixie
And eat cornpone 'til it's comin' outta my ears
I wanna talk with Southern gentlemen
And put my white sheet on again,
I ain't seen one good lynchin' in years.
The land of the boll weevil,
Where the laws are medieval,
Is callin' me to come and nevermore roam.
I wanna go back to the Southland,
That "y'all" and "shet-ma-mouth" land,
Be it ever so decadent,
There's no place like home.
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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soulpatch, please bring Me up to speed on what the heck is going on in Lakeside.. Aryan Hate Machine? Cavicide"? DNA on the innocent?
Yeah, I know I can google, but, would rather have your first hand report.. thanks
Way to remove from reality to have any idea what your talking about.. I have some idea, but think you could give a far better factual account
Wiley
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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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The Aryan Hate Machine
Take away the cartel violence from Mexico, and there would still be crime. But the fact is that Mexico, in the past decade or two has vastly improved
their educational system and produced an immense number of middle class manufacturing jobs.
During this same period, US education has continually crumbled and middle class manufacturing jobs have been disappearing.
Something to fear is that there is an ever increasing angry backlash building among white Americans, as they gradually lose their majority status in
the population.
Anyone see any symbolism in that the Republicans had some plain vanilla guy who had been Governor of Virginia for 11 days, give their rebuttal to the
State of the Union speech? And it was delivered from the State House once presided over by Jeffferson Davis!
Carrying three guns in your car is surely the answer.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
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Skipjack Joe!!! 
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
we still go to Baja 4-6 trips per year and have NEVER had an incident, nor ever needed to use our guns to defend ourselves.
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Yikes! David carries guns to Mex! Cuidadoso!
Alabama? Yikes!
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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