That's My Story

Well, I just “survived” another hurricane down here in Baja. I think between my life spent in Baja and Hawaii, I’ve made it through about 10 “chubascos” now. I don’t want to make light of them or how serious they can honestly be with the destruction they bring. They are dangerous and need to be taken seriously.

But largely, most don’t reach that intensity, they’re incredible to watch and awesome to experience. Check out nature going primeval on us! Given all our technology, you’re pretty much as powerless as the first Neanderthal guy holed up in his cave. Not much you can do.

If you’re prepared. As long as you’re safe. And the folks you know are safe, it’s really an experience. And, you’re not doing anything stupid.

Ahhhh…and that’s where I’ve seen people get hurt here. Like trying to drive their cars across raging arroyos of mud and water. Huge boulders are in the roiling mass. And it’s obviously deep. And they still drive through it. And get stuck. Or worse.

It’s not like Auto Club is gonna save you. It’s the same mentality as people who try to race trains through crossings. Same result.

For most, however, when all is said and done. And all the hand-wringing and worry are behind, most folks will tell you it was an experience. It wasn’t really an emergency. It was just one big freaking-INCONVENIENCE.

So, you lost a few days of fishing. So the SCUBA boat had to cancel. So you missed a day of the glass-bottom boat and shopping and the art-gallery tour to Todos Santos (NOT!). And (heaven forbid), your Blackberry couldn’t pick up a signal to keep you in touch with your kids and office. You’re off the clock. There’s no tour bus to catch!

Sigh. Shrug. Here comes the rain. You’re gonna be in the hotel for awhile. Oh well…You adjusted. You got to chat. You were forced to actually have REAL conversation with REAL people instead of text messaging. What a concept!

You ate long drawn-out dinners instead of rushing around. It’s not like you’re gonna be headed to any of the nightclubs. For awhile when the electrical power went out, they had to light the place up with candles but the guitar player kept playing. Man…that was kinda romantic with your wife! Tell her you planned it all along and score some points!

And the folks at the next table…You actually made new friends while telling fishing fibs over margaritas and found some mutual amigos who knew your kid brother back at your old home town in the cornfields. And you traded addresses and photos of your respective families.

And the TV in your hotel room didn’t work. So you sat in there in the dark and watched wide-eyed as the storm did it’s thing. And talked more and had some laughs.

So this isn’t EXACTLY the vacation you had planned. You do have a right to be a bit grumpy. But all the gnashing of teeth won’t change the storm or make it go faster or open the airport.

It’s no one’s fault. There’s no way to predict these things. So, you make the best of the situation.

If you think about it, you still wouldn’t trade this time with your family, your gal or your homeboys to be back on the freeway… or mowing the lawn…or in an office meeting. There really are no emergencies. Just inconveniences. Enjoy the experience.

Jonathan Roldan is the Baja Editor for Western Outdoor News and his column appears every other week. He can be reached in La Paz at: riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com