for you experienced baja folks...

[chnlisle]

I've never had a problem finding diesel. Once in Gonzaga I had to wait an extra day for the delivery. I would have been ok if I filled up in San Felipe but I violated the cardinal rule "get it when you can". It was a holiday weekend when we went through SF and it took 2 hours to get through (3 miles) town. The lines at the Pemex station were crazy. But Mex 1 has a lot of semis and thus plenty of diesel. Its best not to wait 'til you need it.

Driving lights would help I guess but as for me I plan my trips for daylight driving. I'm certainly not the last word on this even though I've been doing it for many years. I think if you search other Baja forums you will get the same advice. There are way too many things that go bump in the night down there.

Let me add that Pam although is a hueta (spelling?) her first language is spanish. This as you might imagine is a huge advantage. We have tons of family and friend that live all over Mexico including several in Mexicali and they dont drive out in the hinterlands at night.....unless they've been drinking. 'Nuff said.

 

[craig333]

Well daytime driving isn't a problem. I'd rather do that anyways just so I see the country. Just how important is speaking spanish? I took a semester course at the local JC but I've forgotten most of what I've learned. I'm leaning towards another class just because I'm a californian, but traveling off the beaten path, would you say its a necessity?

 

[chnlisle]

Spanish is not a necessity. Being kind and understanding that you're in a Mexico is but I know you dont need to be told that. Everybody on this board does that already. Many people that live there have at least a rudimentary knowledge of english. And as you know a couple of Margaritas and you will be speaking like a champ. I dont think a lack of spanish even off the beaten path should stop you from going. A dictionary and phrase book might be helpful. Others here I'm sure have an opinion about this. Before I was married I went to Baja a lot and never felt handicapped because I spoke very little spanish. Just Go!!!!

 

[Brian]

Spanish....

I find that Spanish IS a necessity. Maybe not for Baja, maybe not for the first time or two and as Jay says, just go and practice, practice, practice. I have taken several JC courses on Spanish and a month long course in Mexico and still have a very rudimentary amount. I have always been able to get what I need while anywhere in Latin America. However I have not been able to have a real conversation there with anyone who does not speak at least some English. I continue to learn and make an attempt to rarely use English there.


Sure you can get by and maybe even learn some Spanish while there (I learn more by using it than by studying it) and that may be enough if you just go there to look at stuff and/or get wasted, but if you go there and want to meet some folks, learn about the cultures there, wander around in the backcountry, find a place to camp where there is no campground or place to just boondock, basically enjoy the country and the people, as much Spanish as you can possibly learn is a must.
Even though I think it is typical of the US tourist, I really think it is arrogant and inappropriate as can be to expect people in other parts of the world to speak English. I actually had a pharmacist in old Mexico tell me "yes, I speak English but you are here now, speak to me in Spanish!"...apparently he was tired of us coming in and demanding someone to speak English.

I have met many expats in Latin America who refuse to learn even the basics of Spanish....even though they have bought a house there and live there full or part time. Any place where there is an enclave of gringos...and believe me you rarely find one living in an area where there are no other gringos, you will find that.

Learn much and enjoy,
Brian

 

[HERR42]

we do thie same thing here....insisting they speak only english.....and worse, breeding an environment where we treat them as inferior human beings if they dont!

how many people complain about spanish in elementary schools, bi-lingual ballots, etc.

we breed that behavior here in our political system.

our current foreign policy reeks of it as well.

 

[Tomas Tierra]

If you can speak to "them" in thier language, evena little, doors will be open=infomation will be passed..

The only time I won't speek spanish, and deny that I do, is if stopped by the police in TJ.

 

[chnlisle]

Its a mixed bag con la policia. When we are stopped and blondie starts speaking to them we always get an apology for the delay and we are on our way. Even at the never ending check points on Mex 1. Once when pulled over by Federales just out side of Caborca we were taken to the station and forced to wait in the truck in the sun for about 20 mins with out any explanation. El Capitan spoke no english so after a while Pam asked in spanish, "Sir would you kindly explain why we are being detained?" The answer was "so sorry madam you are free to go". In those instances spanish is a plus. Having said that it is incredibly rare in the 40+ years of traversing the penninsula that I have been stopped. Remember Craig you aren't the first person with limited spanish to head for Baja. You are in the majority. Just be smart and enjoy.

 

[chnlisle]

Hey Les and everyone. I got a slide scanner and was fooling around with it today and found a picture of Gonzaga that I took 20 years ago. Thats my '85 Bronco II on the beach with some friends and their Jimmy. My how things have changed.

 

[SunMan]

Way cool, looks like you guys were doin OK without a FWC...lets see some more!

 

[chnlisle]

I've got a light box coming so its easier to view these thousands of slides. Once I get them in a file I'll post some more. I cant wait to see the ones of San Ignacio lagoon.

 

[DLN]

Nice shot Jay, keep 'em coming.

 

[chnlisle]

I got some bad news yesterday. Coco has lost his other leg. In the pix I saw he still has a big smile. He's hobbeling around on a his knees and knee pads. I fear for our old friend but he says he's not leaving he'll just move a little slower.

 

[masterplumber]

That's sad to hear - I used to refer to him as the craziest 1 legged Mexican you'll ever meet - now what do we call him? And who is going to hang stuff up on the bikini tree?

 

[chnlisle]

MP,
Like many here I have "known" Coco for well over 20 years. I never go to or leave Gonzaga without spending money and an hour or two at "The Corners". I fear the diabetes is catching up with him. I know he has a young guy working with him but it will never be the same when he's gone.

I have been putting off a trip to Baja because of the crime conditions there but I need to rethink that so I can see Coco again.

 

[chnlisle]

There is a way to help Coco get his new legs. The money goes through PayPal. I can only hope it's not a scam. I sent them a donation.

http://www.bajagpsguide.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111

 

[Tomas Tierra]

Thanks for the donation Jay! Little Windy really does need those braces...

 

[chnlisle]

I got this email today about Coco.

Jay:

Thank you for your contribution.

Kiki (from San Felipe) and I raised just under $10,000 for Coco, and he was able to pay for his ongoing expenses with these funds. We ultimately were donated a power chair from a Southern California donor, and another is working on prosthetics for him.

He is back at Coco's Corners at this time.

Murray Dochstader.

 

[camelracer]

I just returned from Baja a couple of weeks ago. Stopped at Coco's for a cerveza and spent some time with him. He seems to be in good spirits and gets around pretty well with knee pads. He still drives to Ensenada using a stick for gas and brake. He says he drives real slow and gets many one finger salutes.
He was working on his truck one day and smelled something really bad. That's when he decided the leg had to come off. Had the surgery done in Guerrero Negro and doesn't like the way the doctor did it. I think he had some followup procedures in Ensenada. On the positive side he says he's now the perfect height for hugging the ladies.
As for safety in Baja we had no problems except for a drunk gringo in Ensenada. The food was still great, fuel cheap and the exchange rate was 15 t0 1. The economy and border scare is keeping people away. Playa Coyote was almost empty and very few vendors showed up. The shelves in some Mulege shops were close to empty and many se rente signs on the main tourist drag in Ensanada.
A friend got a picture of Coco and I'll see if he can send it to me so I can post it.

 

[chnlisle]

Cammy thanks for the Coco report. Did he say when his new "legs" are coming?

 

[camelracer]

Jay - He didn't mention new legs but he was concerned about how the doctor finished off the stump. Maybe he's waiting to get that resolved.

Here's some more pictures of the man himself. The first is with my buddy Barry who's pretty short. Coco wanted a picture with someone his own size.

Dick