That's My Story

PHOTO: Before you come down and hit the beach, it might help to know where you’re going!

BAJA PRIMER 101

Originally Published the Week of March 18, 2010 in Western Outdoor News

For the last 3 months we’ve been criss-crossing the western United States attending and exhibiting at some of the largest fishing and hunting expos in the country. From Denver to Portland and Puyallup (Washington) to Long Beach and Phoenix to Sacramento, we’ve literally spoken to thousands of folks who’ve come to our booth with questions about visiting Baja, Mexico.

I suppose when you’ve run a fishing operation as long as we have it’s easy to just assume many folks know about Baja or have some rudimentary knowledge about the place. Of course, everyone knows it’s got great fishing, right? We just assume EVERYONE MUST know that, right? We assume everyone knows about the people, the food, the culture…at least on a basic level, right?

Well, not so fast, Pancho!

When we get questions from folks asking things like, “How come everyone speaks Spanish in Mexico?” or “What does a marlin look like?” or “Is it true that sharks in Mexico jump out of the water and eat tourists?” or ask “What’s a ‘taco’? (and pronounce it TAY-co!)…we have to step back a bit.

I promise you, these are real questions I have been asked at fishing shows! Even from folks in California and Arizona who we often just assume know something about their southern neighbors beyond a Taco Bel menu. So…

Back to Baja 101. These are good questions and it’s simply not-fair that we assume everyone knows what many of us simply take for granted. So…one salsa step forward and two tango steps back…These respond to some of the most frequently asked questions.

GEOGRAPHY – If you look at a map of the western U.S. It’s that long peninsula sticking out below California. No, it’s not part of California despite being called Baja California. It’s part of Mexico.

Actually, California (Our California) was actually part of Mexico at one time but we “persuaded” Mexico to give it to us…but that’s another story. It’s about 1000 miles long bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by the Sea of Cortez. Needless to say, it has alot of beaches and coastline. Tijuana is at the very north. Cabo San Lucas is at the very south.

CLIMATE – Being 1000 miles long, the climate from north to south can vary tremendously. Generally, however, it’s a few degrees hotter than say, Southern California.

It tends to be arid desert with some tropical tendencies the further south you get. Although some places get torrential rain at times (like all in one day) and you’ll even find snow on some of the highest mountains, there’s not alot of water (huge problem) so don’t expect to trout fish, snow board or, as I have been asked more than once, “When do the salmon run?” No lakes, rivers or streams for the most part. Sorry, Binky. Bring shorts and flip flops.

THE PEOPLE -Given that the Spanish conquered the country… Strangely, yes…as a matter of fact, they DO speak Spanish! SURPRISE! However, more and more speak English especially in the larger cities. Many speak “Spanglish.”

You will find most of them very welcoming and hard-working and very family-oriented generally speaking. There’s a growing middle-class and more upwardly mobile youngsters although sadly, many folks continue to live in poverty by U.S. standards especially along the borders and in rural areas. Most locals like Americans and (like everyone else) loves the stable U.S. dollars even more. General rule, remember you’re a guest!

AS A VACATION DESTINATION – Your dollar goes far. As of this writing, you get about 13 pesos for 1 dollar. Mexico is the #1 vacation destination for Americans. It’s close. It’s relatively inexpensive. The further you get away from tourist areas, even moreso.

Despite glaring headlines to the contrary, with the exception of certain areas in certain cities, it’s as safe or safer than many U.S. cities. Many Baja residents still don’t lock their houses and cars. Several hundred thousand people weekly cross the border in cars and (hold your breath)…absolutely nothing exciting happened! For flying travelers, the most exciting thing that happened to them were the in-flight pretzels and beer.

As far as getting sick in Baja, you probably have a greater chance of catching H1N1 flu in your home town as in Baja. You should worry more about the hangover from the tequila and the” trots” from all those habaneros you insisted you could “handle.”

CULINARY DELIGHTS – Yes, it’s OK to drink the water! Everyone drinks bottled water which is available everywhere. In most gringo-ized hotels, you can drink tap water too. The only reason I wouldn’t drink it is for the same reason I don’t drink tap water in L.A. It tastes bad!

Food-wise, you can never go wrong if you eat places where you see everyone else eating. That works in the tourist zones as well as off-the-beaten path. It applies whether they have white tablecloth and crystal or plastic knives and forks. If you see a little taco cart on a dirt street with a line around it, get in line! Just try not to order a “TAY-co” or you might get a grin and a puzzled look!

FISHING – Oh, and that’s not too bad either!

That’s my story
Jonathan

Jonathan Rolda is the Baja Editor for Western Outdoor News
If you’d ever like to reach him directly, click riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com