Not lot's of cool adventures to share in this entry, but I'm going to share a couple interesting insights.
I always thought "Gringo" meant anyone from north of the border. But not true. Because when you discuss this with Mexican's (and I have); they are adamant that only Americans are gringos. Canadians are not considered gringos. And gringo does have a slight negative connotation to it, though not really nasty or mean. I think this has historical roots; such as Canadians have never confiscated huge chunks of land, never invaded Mexico, never sent a private/mercenary army to try to annex Baja into the state of California, never propped up unpopular dictators, never consumed or drained the Colorado River before it can reach Mexico. Canada does not have prejudicial immigration laws or sterotype the population like we have been known to do. But even considering this underlying trepidation, they are outwardly very friendly and extremely helpful to us Gringos.
Ride the bike today after attempted fix, it is better, but still leaks fuel. So I take it to a motorcycle shop, had to leave it overnight. Come back the next day and they say it is fixed. It was a leaky diaphragm gasket on the petcock, they of course didn't have the right parts, but they replaced the bad gaskets with fabricated copies made from an old potato chip bag! Seems to work fine, but somehow doesn't seem too permanent. They worked on it for 5-6 hours over 2 days, and charged me 300 pesos (about $28).
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| My morning view to the West at Tecolote |
I drive the RV to town one day for email/errands and to see the Carnival preparations. Had to park a bit away from main area, but still easy walking distance to street fair scene being set up. Came back to the RV, I immediately notice the passenger side window is gone/open. I think I got broken into (and everything I have is in that rig), I go inside, and find nothing missing or even disturbed.......I quickly realize that I must have left the window down when I was re-parking the rig (had to fold in my wide mirrors, weird one way street) and never closed the window after adjusting the mirror. So my RV sat on a fairly busy street for 5 hours, with the side walk facing window down, and no one bothered it!
I'm usually up before sunrise, and have a couple of cups of coffee while sitting there watching the sunrise, saying my thanks that I've been given another day..........
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| My morning ritual, watch the day unfold with a good cup of coffee or two |
On Saturday's and Sunday's, the whole beach scene totally changes, all the locals arrive (whereas usually only RV's during the week). Big family outings, competing boom boxes, and much food and games. Not relaxing at all, but somewhat interesting to witness.
Ride my bike to town to watch the final night of the famous Carnival parade. Well, not as famous as Rio, but well renowned in Baja. Not terribly impressive, but the people watching was most delightful. Lots of 15 peso beers being consumed (about $1.30 for a 16oz cup). Beer tents every 50 yards, amazing stuff. Didn't get back to camp until well after dark. It was a bit cold and windy getting home, had a close call with a Brahma on the highway (good thing it was white and stood out in my headlights). And now I fully trust the potato chip bag fix.
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| young ladies on a float |
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| teens dancing down the street |
Next morning I met and talked with a new camper on the beach, single guy from Kelowna, BC. We talked for hours. Had some really heavy conversations about meta-physical stuff, syncro-destiny and and the concept of opening yourself up, share, give and let the positive energy flow. And that you end up receiving back so much more in return. He had some stunning examples, one of which I partially witnessed with two 22 year old local campers who turned out to be students from Spain, studying in La Paz. These two girls were amazing, in many ways. He shared a concept with me that they had thoroughly discussed around the campfire one night (bad timing, it was the night I went to town). The word is "majico". (mah-hee-ko). Like many words in English and Spanish, it has two meanings, could be a magician (as in card tricks and such), but the other meaning is a bit harder to define. It's kind of like karma, aura, serendipity or destiny; and just the magical wonders that sometimes become apparent in the world around us, usually at unpredictible times. And that's why you have to have an open mind. It could be a special/beautiful physical place that just puts you in a state of awe (which actually happened to me one time in the Cook Islands). Or it could be unique and special meeting of two people, that somehow seems divined or preordained. And the point is, you are more likely to encounter such occurrences if you get out in the world (turn off your TV) and open yourself to new cultures (travel), hang out with like minded people who are stimulating, and if you find a place or person that seems intriguing, embrace it and pursue it, let it go to where it takes you.
I have not seen the news in four months now, except maybe a few Yahoo headlines. But you know what, I don't miss it at all. It is not needed in my current life style, there is nothing I can do to help or hurt what's going on globally. That kind of information/propaganda clutters the senses and makes you less apt to experience the "here and now" the "majico".
Well, maybe that was a bit heavy for some of you folks, I did my best to describe it, hope I didn't fall too short. But maybe it's one of those things you had to be there to get the whole gist.
This 41 year old BC guy was kind of in the self-analysis/self awareness stage but was getting a real handle on things. Whereas I have pretty much already discovered who I am, how I want to lead my life and what is important to me. But the conversation and mental stimulation was really enlightening and special, we helped each other and we both walked away with a real "majico" experience.
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