Re: baja

From: Gib Cooper (bambugib@harborside.com-DeleteThis)
Date: Thu Mar 20 1997 - 11:31:15 PST


Received: from hplms26.hpl.hp.com by opus.hpl.hp.com with ESMTP (1.37.109.18/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1) id AA170066505; Thu, 20 Mar 1997 11:35:05 -0800
Return-Path: <bambugib@harborside.com-DeleteThis>
Received: from harborside.com by hplms26.hpl.hp.com with ESMTP (1.37.109.16/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1S) id AA043396505; Thu, 20 Mar 1997 11:35:05 -0800
Received: from [204.214.110.83] (p07.gb0.harborside.com [204.214.110.72]) by harborside.com (8.7.4/8.6.12) with SMTP id LAA07118 for <wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis>; Thu, 20 Mar 1997 11:31:15 -0800 (PST)
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 11:31:15 -0800 (PST)
Message-Id: <v01520d02af56ce2cad01@[204.214.110.83]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
To: wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis
From: bambugib@harborside.com-DeleteThis (Gib Cooper)
Subject: Re: baja

I have to agree with Bob, that mordida is a fundamental travel problem in
Baja and Mexico. We were recently stopped in Ensenada for going past the
"line" at an inersection (nothing was observed on the pavement except dust
and oil stains). I discussed the "problem" with the young cop with a
growling, hungry stomach. We wanted lunch! Another 5 minutes were spent
trying to assess the details in Spanish. He asked for the driver's license
and registration. Then he said follow me to the police station. Finally, he
told me I spoke good Spanish before he went back to his patrol car.

A few minutes went by as Geoff, Frank and I discussed mordida. I said, No Way!
Then I see the cop come out of his car, come up and hand me my papers. He
quickly told me he had an emergency call and he had to go. He turned around
and left.

Speaking Spanish or attempting to speak Spanish always helps to soften the
"gringo" stereotype many Mexicans have.

Ensenada has a powerful Chamber of Commerce. Things like this should be
reported with the officers name, badge number or patrol car. We quickly
went to lunch and crossed the border a few hours later.

As to Federales , the inspection points have generally been a couple of
miles South of the Ensenada dump and at the top of the hill on the big
Mesa before you drop down the grade into El Rosario and the LA Bay turn of.
Expect to be stopped and checked out for weapons and drugs. They even asked
us if we had drugs!

Gib Cooper
Tradewinds Surf Shop
Gold Beach, OR

>Bob,
>Is this a problem mainly at or near the Border towns? I flew down last
>month in a small plane (to see whales and Indian cave paintings and sit
>on a beach or fly) and we were not bothered and everyone was very nice.
>Seemed to me the US Mordida, er taxes, to cross the border in a plane
>were the worst.
>Kirk out



This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Dec 10 2001 - 02:31:24 PST