Monday, January 29, 2007

In the Desert, You can't remember your name


After all the anticipation, master planning, and wild last-minute weapon stashes, we finally are lucky enough to experience the "Real Mexico." Layers of sandy dust now coat everything we own, thus christening Guntero as Baja-worthy. Amid the saggy chi-chi dogs (don't pet them), cowboys on ATVs, and dusty children on bikes there lies a surprising diversity in both the landscape and people of Baja.





There seems to be a double existence here. The majority of people cling to the cities in a desperate attempt to catch up with the modern world. On the other hand, there are the traditionalists (i.e. farmers, ranchers and fishermen) who seem very content doing what their parents did before them. Anyone who has ever been to Tijuana or Ensenada knows which group fares better down here. With each city, we leave in semi-disgust, and within an hour we find a quaint, friendly people enjoying the natural beauty offered by this country.




As the cities have had little appeal to us, we've been relaxing in some of the best campsites I've ever been to... for about $5 a night. So far I'm surprised daily at how enjoyable the country is outside of the cities and cinder-tarp sprawl. In just six days we've camped on cliffs over the sea (unfortunately with little to no surf), sat around a campfire drinking Tecate in the desert highlands, paddled around on ocean kayaks, and hiked through a desert that blows away any I've seen in the States. Everyone we meet heading North gets us excited about the amazing cities to look forward to on the Sea of Cortez. For now we will continue to make out with mother nature, safely nestled in our metal tent.





We are now in Guerrero Negro, the first city in the state of Baja California Sur. We plan to try and pet some Grey Whales, drink some more beer with our newfound psuedo-caravan friends Chris and Tyler, and find some surf. On an endnote, Rachel cut her thumb, resulting in a very eerie scab resembling Mexico.


-JJ

6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hola Amigos!!! (that means hi friends in Mexican) I see that you have pimped out Guntero. However you have forgotten one key element if you are trying to make your vehicle authentic. You guys need to add as many statues (preferably glistening gold and silver colored or the cheesiest watercolor looking colors possible) of Jesus (aka Jesus)and Mary. If you haven't noticed the prevalence of such dashboard adornments in baja you will when you hit the mainland. I think it is some sort of insurance policy for the locals. I think tecate is beginning to mess with you guys b/c I thought the scab resembled North Dakota. Anyways you guys have fun. We enjoy the awesome pics.
jay and janelle

1/29/07, 9:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures! However, I cannot figure out what the first picture is - looks like very large bones covered by a very large tarp - but I question that concept. Let me know sometime what that is - So, there you are and prayers are being answered everyday. Love you both - be safe, Grandma Sara

1/30/07, 8:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

CANCUN, Mexico - He is called "Super Tonio," and at a whopping birth weight of 14.5 pounds, the little fellow is causing a sensation in this Mexican resort city.

Cancun residents have crowded the nursery ward's window to see Antonio Vasconcelos, who was born early Monday by Caesarean section. The baby drinks 5 ounces of milk every three hours, and measures 22 inches in length.

"We haven't found any abnormality in the child, there are some signs of high blood sugar, and a slight blood infection, but that is being controlled so that the child can get on with his normal life in a few more days," Narciso Perez Bravo, the hospital's director, said on Wednesday.

In Brazil, a baby born in January 2005 in the city of Salvador weighed 16 pounds, 11 ounces at birth. According to Guinness World Records, the heaviest baby born to a healthy mother was a boy weighing 22 pounds, 8 ounces, born in Aversa, Italy, in September 1955.

Antonio's mother, Rachel Kim, and father, Jose Johnson, 27, said they were proud of the boy, and noted that Kim had given birth to a baby girl seven years ago who weighed 11.46 pounds.

2/1/07, 9:24 AM  
Blogger Jaimers said...

Large babies rule. Don't forget I had 10.5 pounders....Just livin the dream ehh? Looks pretty sweet dudes. Miss you already.

2/2/07, 12:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Loved the dogs on the beach photo...it looked like one of those existential moments when one says "It's a beautiful place, but what's it all mean?" I've had those moments, but they occur less and less as I age! I think I'm starting to get it!

Go you two and discover the meaning of life!
Love, MOM

2/2/07, 9:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Giant babies do rule! I too am a card carrying member of the 10lbs club ... not to mention the sweet patch Hasselhoff-ian chest hair i was born with as well.

JR

2/2/07, 5:55 PM  

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