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El Comadante Loco
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Posts: 274
Registered: 6-12-2004
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Ensenada Mordida ?????????
Well it finally happened to me after driving up and down Baja for the past 40 years I was involved in a minor, minor traffic accident on Friday July
24th just as you enter Ensenada where the Y is that goes to the fish market.
Traffic was backed up due to a traffic accident where a car was hit that ended up in the median up against one of the palm trees. Naturally, the cops
were there and there was only one lane out of the three that was moving. As you can imagine there was much confusion with much lane changing and
people cutting in. My thoughts, of course, were on our fishing trip BOLA then SQ on the return. I was dreaming of large Yellowtail in BOLA and perhaps
some WSB in SQ while at the same time trying to concentrate on the traffic.
Just before the Y to the fish market a small car made a left turn in front of me and proceeded to move toward the fish market. Well I thought, "OK he
has cleared me and will keep moving on down". I proceeded to move forward at a speed of about 5 mph due to the traffic congestion. As I moved forward
I did feel a slight bump from the right side of the truck which I interpreted as a small pot hole. The next thing I know there is an irate cop at my
passenger window ordering me to stop and exit the vehicle. Of course, I complied and presented him my license and registration. He demanded to know
why I had not stopped after hitting a car. I told him I was surprised that I had hit a car and that I had felt a bump but thought it was a hole. He
showed me a small line on the right side of my truck below the door and an obvious scrape on my tire, the source of the bump, with the color of the
other car.
Upon reviewing the incriminating evidence I accepted his argument. He was also very agitated and accused me of almost hitting him as I moved forward.
He must have moved to my blind spot. The cop let me know that I was at fault and that I would have to pay restitution to the driver of the other car
for damages and that I would be fined for " falta de precaucion" which would require a trip to the comandancia. During all of these exchanges I made
sure that I was polite, respectful and agreed that we should settle this at the comandancia.
The next thing the cop wanted to do was for me to see the damage done to the other car. I informed him I had insurance so there would be no problem
with restitution. So we walked back to the scene of the accident and the car in question is gone. Cop says he must have moved the car because of the
congestion and parked it. Well about 15 minutes later that other driver arrives, no car, we talk. I inform him I have insurance and the matter will be
taken care of. The driver asks me what the cop said to me I told him that the cop said I was at fault and that I would have to go the comandancia to
pay a fine. At that time the cop comes back over and tells the other driver to bring the car for my inspection of the damages and for us to settle for
damages. The driver says, well, it is not my car it belongs to my employer. He takes off to get the car or so he said but after about 1/2 hour no car
no driver. During this same 1/2 hour as they were clearing the first accident the cop and I started to have a conversation about the traffic,
fishing, the weather and about our trip to BOLA and SQ.
At last he says we are about done here and we can proceed to the comandancia. I tell him I do not know where it is and how far this will divert us
from our path. I also ask him if we can stop at a bank ATM to pick up some pesos. Finally, I ask him how much the fine will cost me. I do know from
past conversations with cops in Mexicali that the fine for "falta de precaucion" is over $100 at the comandancia. The cop tells me the fine will be
about $120 dollars. I said OK.
Well now that the first accident is cleared and its time to go to the comandancia he asks do you want me to give you a hand to settle this so you do
not have to waste your time at the comandancia and deviate from your route. I think to myself here is a great opportunity to take the easy way out
after all you are guilty, you did it you hit a car.. I ask him how much will this cost me and to my surprise he asks me, "What do you think is fair?".
I take on a puzzled look, think for a minute and say, "I got $60". Cop says ok but lets do it like this.. I will hand you back your license you put
the money behind it and hand it back to me behind your truck because there are too many cameras monitoring the street.. I went to the cab of my truck
put the money behind my license went to the back of the truck, deal done and we are on our way..
Was it a MORDIDA or convenience? Was it deal for me YES.
Would I do it again YES!
Was it a MORDIDA you decide. What you would have done given the circumstances..
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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Watch out LOCO....when they get done with you it will be like the song..."Who let the dogs out"
I give it an "OK".
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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I would have done the same thing.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Mexicorn
Senior Nomad
Posts: 772
Registered: 9-15-2009
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Agreed good move $60 bucks is a deal. It's a real cluster doing it the square way.
Dude you made out. Buena Movida
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Was he really a cop or was he a cop-scout? Sounds as though you busted his maiden. You corrupted this poor kid. 
Actually, you did good. Sometimes it just isn't convenient to recycle a culture.
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2762
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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never had a problem in or around Ensenada and quite frankly, to give in to the mordida...you're all idiots. Never even seen or heard of a cop in
Ensenada suggesting it. Oh, I've lived here full time for 4 years.
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
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Mood: Waiting
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I just LOVE Mexico!
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El Comadante Loco
Nomad
Posts: 274
Registered: 6-12-2004
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"Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel."
It appears that your glass is half empty. You need another glass of white zinfandel
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TonyC
Nomad
Posts: 421
Registered: 1-25-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
never had a problem in or around Ensenada and quite frankly, to give in to the mordida...you're all idiots. Never even seen or heard of a cop in
Ensenada suggesting it. Oh, I've lived here full time for 4 years. |
get on your high horse and rotate sir. no need for for name calling.
he explained how it went down, and time...you seem to have alot of...we on vacation don't have. i guess most locals would have handle it
differently....not.
dennis, how long have you lived in baja norte? slap this guy will ya. kidding.
[Edited on 8-1-2010 by TonyC]
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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So... How was fishing?
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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ELINVESTIG8R
Select Nomad
Posts: 15882
Registered: 11-20-2007
Location: Southern California
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Russ
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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G8R Nicely done!
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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Elinvestig8r...king of the gifs.
I don't know how you do it, Dave.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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ELINVESTIG8R
Select Nomad
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Registered: 11-20-2007
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Thanks Udo...I do them with lots of patience.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
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i would have held my nose and paid.
vaca does not provide enuff time to be right.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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You lucked out, pure and simple. If I may add a comment: Your wise decision to remain calm and polite most likely saved you hours, hassles, and a big
wad of cash. The other driver disappearing with the car like that sounds a little fishy. I would have expected him to remain on the spot or at the
least summon his employer to resolve the damage.
On the bright side, an episode like that really seems to sharpen driving skills for a long, long time afterwards.
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CaboMagic
Super Nomad
Posts: 1120
Registered: 4-30-2005
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ECL - thumbs up support .... How was fishing?
edited since ECL is not who I thought it was ...
[Edited on 8-2-2010 by CaboMagic]
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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I tought the same thing, and since the other driver disappeared for a while, and then reappears without a car. Then it turns out it was his emplyer's
car. Sounds like he did not want to make waves with his employer either.
You made out great, Loco.
I personally drive that intersection many times a year, and many times it has been a mess because of an accident, or because someone wants to turn
into the fish market from the left turn lane (for those who don't know, the fish market exit is from the right-hand lane.)
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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It is always a difficult question and I think it is often situational. Now I know that that can be argued as a black or white issue---either right or
wrong.
Basically, I really dislike mordida, but have we ever willingly paid it? Yes we have and we probably would have paid it in your situation.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Mordida, in it's most pure form, would be ideal. Those who break the law would support law enforcement.
Now, I know that's a fantasy, but true, none the less.
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