Archive for the ‘Mexico Christmas’ Category

FIND YOUR BEACH

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, donations, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, rental car, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, suitcases, Sun stroke, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on December 2, 2020| 6 Comments »

FIND YOUR BEACH

Originally Published The Week of Nov. 25, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications.

I pretty much wrote this week’s column lying flat on my back looking up at the sky. Pretty unusual position for “word-smithing.”

Most of the time, I write at my desk. Sitting up.

It’s in the middle of the night at the end of a long workday that usually starts about 4 a.m. Or, if I’m “lazy” and couldn’t think of anything the night before, I scramble to compose something before the sun comes up and the day goes full-turbo!

But, lying flat on my back, I’m looking at clouds drifting by as languidly as I was feeling.

Lying on the sand.

On the beach.

In the Baja sun.

Some Kenny Chesney “No Shoes No Shirt No Problem” playing on Spotify competing with the rise-and-fall crescendo of surf as a soundtrack.

And this week’s column just sort of wrote it self. It auto-composed in my head in about 5 minutes.

I was just lying there on that warm sand felling really tired. Not just tired.

“Old man tired.” Big difference.

I had just come off the water. Nope. For once, not fishing. Not diving either.

Surfing. Yup. That kind of surfing. Like on a board.

My wife, Jill, and I had spent the better part of the afternoon surfing and using muscles that we had not used in…well…years! I think the last time I “surfed” Baja, I had been driving my dad’s Pinto station wagon.

Me, and a bunch of underage high-school buds on a flyer across the border below Rosarito Beach with $20 between the three of us; a bag of Doritos; and 3 days to waste on the waves.

Yea, it had been a long time.

Surfing muscles are not the same as fishing muscles. Not the same as SCUBA muscles. And no matter how much Jill and I had lied to ourselves, we were not “in shape” to be paddling out…fighting waves…fighting the board.

I grew up in Hawaii, but my “old man” muscles were B–tching me out so very badly.

“What were you thinking?”

“Who were you trying to kid?”

Harsh reality found on a beach in Baja.

But, I gotta tell you, it was a good soreness. And Jill and I had the biggest smiles on our faces as we lay splayed-out on the beach.

No one talking. No one needed to.

The sun rays warmed me from above and the hot sand warmed me from below.

It was like being a kid again and coming out’ve the pool and lying face-down on that warm cement without a care-in-the-world. You know that feeling.

Summer vacation. No school. No homework. You had no place else to be except right then and there. Contentment.

And that was me. Except I was lying looking up.

And I realized I had nowhere to be except right then and there. On that beach at that moment studying some dumb clouds. No shoes. No shirt. No problems.

It finally just got to us. Yea, we live and work in Baja.

“Living the dream.” Right?

But, like everyone, no matter where you are, it’s been a tough year. And this year, it seemed like we worked even harder-than-ever just trying to tread water like everyone else.

Being in the travel industry with our fishing fleets and restaurant, it was especially brutal.

Surely, fewer clients and less business, but like I said, we seemed to work twice-as-hard just trying to keep what we had. Working double to keep from sliding backwards even more.

Almost like surfing. Paddle paddle paddle to get out. Wave knocks you back.

Paddle paddle paddle to go a little further. Another wave knocks you back again.

Just trying to get out past the white water to where that tasty curl tantalizes you with a rewarding ride back to the beach. Paddle paddle paddle. Can’t stop. Gotta get past that white water.

Catch one or two, but mostly paddling paddling and more tiring paddling.

Like life right now.

No days off and …UP-TO-HERE…with it all.

Covid…quarantine…restrictions…economy…politics…elections…unrest. The “whitewater” of life, right? The cacaphony that never stops assaulting you.

So, we just sort of folded shop.

We never ever take time off. But,it was time.

We didn’t tell any of our staff where we were going. Basically told them, don’t burn down the building. Don’t let anyone steal anything. We’ll be in touch.

In fact, I didn’t even tell my wife where we were going.

I pretty much told her to grab some clothes for a few days. Threw her and our rescue cat, my guitar, and some gear in our Honda. It’s the one with the busted air-conditioner and that overheats if I drive faster than 50mph and left.

We drove. And drove.

And made a left off the highway down a dusty washboard dirt road.

And found a beach.

And it had some worn bungalow cabanas for rent.

Our “rustic” cabana had holes in the palapa roof.

Some lights didn’t work. Others had those god-awful curly “economy” bulbs that save you 5 bucks over 100 years.

A threadbare hammock tied between two palm trees. It might have been a fishing net at one time.

No TV.

No disco.

No nightclub.

No real restaurants to speak of.

Perfection.

I don’t even want to tell you the name of the beach because the area is begging for a paved road and some high-rise hotels that will come soon enough, I imagine.

But for now, just miles of Baja beach.

And there were some waves that just begged to be ridden.

And an ice chest full of cold ones that needed some attention too.

And 3 days extended into 5 days of sun, sand, surf, card-playing and just the very best kind of “social distancing” that we probably could all use right now.

Might still be there if we didn’t run outta cat food.

And lying on my back like a very tired beached sealion soaking up the rays and watching clouds moving left-to-right.

Smiling.

And while we were gone, the world did not blow up. Our business did not burn down. The problems of the world were still there when we got back.

We did not miss a thing.

But finding that little stretch of Baja beach made all the difference.

For now.

We brought that beach home with us in a manner of speaking. I brought this essay that wrote itself.

Like that beer commercial says, I hope you find your beach.

Somewhere.

If not on a stretch of sand. Then a backyard. A park. Or some space where you can close the door.

Away from the madness. Close your eyes. Shut off the sound. Take a breath. Find that beach and watch the clouds.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter.com.

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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SAFE AS IT’s GONNA GET?

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing fish, panga, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, sportfishing, storm, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Seaview, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on November 10, 2020| Leave a Comment »

SAFE AS IT’S GONNA GET?

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 3, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications.

The Cabo San Lucas Marina…pretty much business as usual with boat traffic although foot traffic was relatively light.

_________________________

Since the Covid Pandemic hit us last March in Baja, I’ve been been watching things pretty carefully. I have to. Being in the travel-activity industry, it’s pretty mandatory.

In that time, I’ve watched us down here go from pretty much completely “RED” (complete stringent shutdown…harsher than the U.S.)…

….To “ORANGE” (open but with strong mandatory restrictions still in place)..

…..To “YELLOW” (open with a huge easing of restrictions) since September.

Being in the “yellow” has been a huge economic breath for so many of us. Restaurants, hotels and other businesses were allowed up to 50% occupancy. Beaches and recreational areas were opened. Churches, gyms, theaters and other “non-essential” businesses could finally open their doors.

It has not quite been “business as normal” but it’s as close-to-it- as we have seen most of the year. I think most of us down here have gotten used to it and we’re learning to live with it.

So many businesses didn’t survive. The rest of us are just trying to stay afloat as well as possible.

We would surely like to have thing completely open and in the “GREEN” level, but few of us think that’s going to happen anytime soon.

As with most governments around the world, the folks who make the decisions walk the tightrope trying to balance public safety against economic stagnation.

Will we get to normal by 2021? Short of some miracle vaccine or it’s equal, I kinda doubt it. But, bigger brains than mine struggle with those issues.

I will share with you that based on talking to our American clients that have visited us this year, most were surprised about their vacations.

“I think it was safer than being back home in the U.S. It surely was not any more dangerous” seemed to be the general consensus.

As one of my fishermen told me who visited us twice this year, “I think there are so many safety protocols in place from the time I hit the airport; to the time I reach my hotel . . .hen while I’m in Mexico . . .hat I feel perfectly safe. The tourist areas seem especially antiseptic with everyone very conscious about sanitation.”

He’s already booked for next year.

In fact, judging from reservations for 2021, it looks like a good year. Covid or no Covid.

Airlines are flying again. In fact, several airlines have added or are in the process of adding more flights to Baja.

I know that for us in La Paz, for the first time in almost a decade, there will be direct flights from the U.S. starting in December.

I am also reading that some of the airlines are putting back that middle seat or from several flights that I have taken this year, there’s no more social distancing on the flights. They’ve been packed. Sold out.

So, the airlines must be banking on the uptake in tourism to Baja.

I think as an alternative destination, travelers will find Mexico overall a lot more attractive than Europe, Asia or other places which are experiencing another surge in Covid. And many aren’t too keen to welcome Americans right now anyway.

Pragmatically speaking, if there is a shutdown again, it’s a lot easier to get home from Baja than it is fromEngland or Italy, right?

My wife and I were supposed to be on a 3-week lifetime trip to South Africa right now. In hindsight, South Africa would not have been a good place to be stuck.

Even if you’re not flying, it’s not so hard to drive either.

OK, I know there’s this “travel ban” on the border that has been in place for most of the year. The governments of both Mexico and the U.S. have given no indication when (or if) it’s going to be removed.

But, there’s several things to keep in mind.

First, it does NOT apply to entering Mexico by flying, rail or water.

Secondly, for all practical purposes, it seems to be more of a “suggestion” than an actual mandate. I know plenty of folks who have driven right through the border without issue. Some have driven several times. Some do it on a regular basis.

In fact, that’s one of the complaints that has become devisive among the Mexican folks along the borders.

Many decry the apparent “freeflow” of traffic from the U.S. Keeping in mind the high Covid rates among Americans.

But, there’s a huge contingency that wants and needs those tourism and business dollars that also flow into the country from Americans.

So, it really just is-what-it-is. That’s the bottom line.

Mostly what I’m hearing from folks booking reservations next year is that Covid or no Covid, they’re coming. Vaccine or no vaccine they’re coming.

For better or worse. Most think it can’t be any worse than it is and frankly a lot of folks are just tired of having been kept home this last year. Just my two centavos.

Vamos a ver…we’ll just have to see.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

THINGS I WOULD HAVE TOLD MYSELF

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on November 1, 2020| Leave a Comment »

On the beach in 1996. I had no idea this would turn into a new career.

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 27, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

Almost 3 decades down here in Baja now. I’m not sure I’m “older and wiser” now. Definitely older.

But I was thinking of things I would have (should have?) told my younger-self back then when I first moved down here that would have made things so much more enlightening and surely easier.

For one, coming from the life of a litigation attorney to a remote part of Baja, I would have told myself to SLOW-THE-HECK-DOWN! It took a long time to get off the clock.

It took a long time to realize that just because I was running fast, no one was going to run faster to keep up with me and what I wanted or needed. I would have to adjust and take it down a few notches.

Actually I had to take it way way way down!

Related to that first thing…not that I had a lot of money…but money doesn’t necessarily make things go faster either. Things will happen when they happen.

I definitely would have told myself not to be so gullible.

“Si” (Yes) does not always mean “yes.” “No” doesn’t always mean “no.”

Folks aren’t necessarily lying to you. It means what it means at the time it is said. It is ALWAYS subject to “re-interpretation” later by the person who said that to me in the first place.

So, flexibility, patience and adaptability are good to keep close-at-hand.

Again, not that I had a lot of money. But, I would have told myself there is no such thing as a loan.

The person may ask for a “loan.” But, honestly, they really probably needed the money more than I did. They may call it a “loan.” They may promise to pay it back.

But, in 25 years, I have only had one person ever pay me back. And it was 4 years later!

A “loan” is really a “gift.” Don’t loan money or anything else you can’t afford to lose.

I would tell myself never drive off without these things in the car:

Jumper cables
Duct tape and electrical tape
20 bucks in small bills or pesos hidden somewhere in the car for an emergency
A spare tire
Toilet paper and a shovel

I would have also told myself not to have been so terrified the first time I drove down the Baja Peninsula. I had read too many stories. Now that I’ve driven it dozens of times, it’s a wonderful drive that only gets better.

To, my list of things, I would have mentioned, that truly “less is more.”

I brought down way too much stuff that 3 decades later, I am still burdened with. Did I really need over 100 rods and reels? Did I really need 200 pounds of tackle? Did I really need two trailers full of other odds-and-ends?

Along those same lines, I would have told myself that it’s possible to get by with very little and on very little. I would learn to adapt. I sure learned now to stretch a peso!

I would learn to fix things. I would learn that it’s easier to fix something or make do than to run around all day trying to find a replacement. Or maybe, I was just too lazy.

I would have smacked myself and told my younger-self to not be so nervous about eating local food. Oh sure, everyone loves tacos. But, real Mexican food is NOT like in the U.S. Eat what everyone eats. Eat where everyone eats.

I would have advised myself that getting excited about “living off the grid” is not “living off the grid” like the reality-show people on TV. Real reality is completely different.

I would wake up in the morning with food the first thing on my mind. Not because I wanted to eat. It was because I would have to figure out HOW to get food each day. Catch it? Trade for it? Find it? Pull it from the ground or ocean?

No grocery stores. No restaurants where I lived.

Living off the grid required some serious thought. There’s no safety net.

Digging a well just to have drinking water. Hooking up marine batteries to make one light bulb work.

Treating ice like gold because that was the only way to keep my food. No frig. Only an ice chest in 100-degree heat.

Hoping to catch a fish for dinner because that’s all there was. Hoping some desert critter didn’t eat my tomato plant required critical thinking and planning.

I had never imagined those things when I moved down.

I would tell myself that there is nothing you cannot trade for. When money is scarce, barter works just as well. Trade tomatoes for meat. Fish for writing paper. Cigarettes for beer. Old t-shirts for tortillas.

I would have told myself that I would meet some of the best friends in my life and come to appreciate and love a people and culture like no other.

I would never have figured that I’d also meet my awesome wife and two great kids. That was not part of the plan. (Not sure I would have told myself that…maybe romance is best left as a surprise!)

Mostly, I think I would have told myself that it was going to be the adventure of a lifetime. It was going to be an incredible experience. It was going to be the best thing I had ever done and something most people would never experience.

I would have reminded myself that it’s better to try something than have regrets later on.

Lastly, I would have told myself there was no language barrier that a smile could not overcome.

I would have told myself that everything was going to be just fine .

That’s my story!

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

END-OF-THE-YEAR BAJA

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on October 9, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 7, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

It’s been a heck-of-a-year, hasn’t it?

A lot of us just want to press “fast forward” and put 2020 behind us with hopes that 2021 will be different. Or at least back to some semblance of normalcy.

If not 2021, then how about 2020 version (2.0)? A lot of us would settle for that!

A few months ago, I was in that same tank. Tired of quarantine . Tired of protocols. Tired of restrictions.

Tired or looking at empty beaches you couldn’t go on. Tired of looking down empty streets and restaurant that remained closed.

As a fishing operation down here in Baja, it was disheartening to take another phone call or answer another e-mail with another client needing to cancel their fishing trips. It was either because of nervousness, age, pre-existing medical conditions or plain old fear.

Some cancelations had nothing to do with the fishermen who were eager to come down. However, they had to cancel through no fault of their own. For example, their flight was canceled again…and again. Or that the immigration office was not processing passports this year “until Covid was under conrol!”

And so, the clients just gave up out of shear frustration and put postponed their trips.

I get it. I got it. Sure…WHAM…every day. Every day another punch right in the kisser.

Just the way it is. This year. Like you, we keep rolling on.

But, with each passing week, I gotta say, things are looking more optimistic. Maybe, I’m just getting used to the new “normal” here.

I look around and I’m saying, “This is not a bad time at all to be down here.”

Check it out.

For better or worse, we’ve been blessed with cooler temperatures this year. The sun is out and it’s warm, but we’ve been spared all the 100-degree temps we normally see in the season.

Because there’s been so little boat traffic, the waters are markedly cleaner and clearer. Although fishing has been up-and-down, my divers and snorkelers are telling me that not only is the water clearer, but there’s a lot more sea-life happening as well. They’re seeing a lot more down there than normal .

I look scan the city’s the main streets. I see palm trees in the breeze and very little traffic. It’s like Baja 20 years ago. The air is cleaner too!

I can actually get seated at a restaurant without reservations. And, my gosh…the service is so much faster and friendlier as well. You’ve been missed!

The waterfront tourist areas are not should-to-shoulder tourists bumping into each other. You can actually walk and stroll like in the old days.

The hotels have great deals and it’s nice to be in the pool without 50 drunk guys or kids doing cannonballs right on your head. I can swim a lap and don’t have to dodge anyone. The swim-up bar always has a seat waiting for me too.

Wanna go somewhere? Taxi drivers found their manners again.

They’re willing to take you anywhere. Willing to make a deal with you too! You’re not taken for granted anymore. They also know they’re competing with UBER and other services.

Remember landing at the Cabo Airport then finding that standing in line for immigration and customs sometimes took longer than your flight? Crowds are largely gone.

You grab your luggage and you’re out the door. You can start your vacation with a smile instead of being worn out from a travel day.

More airlines are coming back. More airlines are adding routes to Baja as well. Prices are back to being competitive. You may not get a happy meal or a cocktail on the flight anymore, but the airlines want you back in the worst way.

You want to go snorkeling or diving? You want a sunset cruise? You want to rent a car or ATV? Finally try paddleboarding?

And fishing? Sure, there’s boats available and they can’t wait for you to climb aboard.

Step up! There’s no waiting.

Yea, it’s not such a bad time to be here afterall!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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WHERE CAN I FIND “REAL” MEXICAN FOOD?

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on October 2, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 3, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

I think I was just asked about the 5^th time this week by visitors some version of “Where can we get real-authentic Mexican food?”

Good question. But, I have a hard time understanding how to respond.

I have to usually pause a minute before answering.

“What do you mean by ‘real authentic Mexican food?” I ask.

“You know, the usual food, but we figure that since we’re here visiting in Mexico, we can get the REAL stuff!” they’ll say anxiously.

Well, that doesn’t help me much.

It would be like me visiting someplace like New York and asking, “Where can I get real ‘New York’ food!

Throw a question like that into a bunch of my New Yorker friendsd and you’ll end up with as many different answers, arguments and debates as there are people in the crowd.

Mexico is probably a lot like New York gastronomically speaking. Visitors come down with a certain culinary expectation. And that could have been formed by eating at too many Taco Bells; neighborhood chain restaurants; or local neighborhood eateries.

Mexican food is as varied as the areas of the U.S.

Northern Mexico near the border has it’s regional specialties. Areas on Mexico’s East Coast have food far different from areas of Mexico’s Pacific coast or regions. Central and southern Mexico have their own specialties as well.

Even within those geographical vicinities, there are variables. For instance, urban food will be different from rural areas. Mountainous areas likewise have different food preparations than areas on the lower elevations.

So, when someone asks me where to go for real authentic Mexican food, it’s a tough answer. In our area, I tell them if they’re looking for the kind of food they’re used to back home in the U.S., they probably won’t find it.

They are usually somewhat disappointed, but I tell them hit the streets. Go eat at local eateries. Not tourist spots. Eat at street carts and small vendors. Eat at places that you see a lot of locals eating and they can’t go wrong.

Invariably, they end up loving their new discoveries.

Actually, instead of telling people what “real Mexican food” is, it’s often easier to tell them what is NOT real Mexican food. It surprises many visitors.

For instance, if you’re looking for “pre-formed” taco shells like you find at fast food places back home, you’ll be disappointed. Most tacos are served in soft hot tortillas you fold-around the hot filling.

The closest thing to a pre-formed taco might be “tacos dorados.” Not named after the fish. It just refers to a deep-fried taco that is fried until “dorado” (golden).

You will not find ground beef in your Mexican food.

You will not find sour cream in your Mexican food.

To the surprise of many, you won’t find shredded cheese in your Mexican food or even any cheese at all. Mexicans DO like hot melted cheese called “queso fundido” served as an appetizer very much like fondue.

By the way, Nachos were an American invention! Hard to have nachos if there’s no cheese around. Forget finding black olives too!

Fajitas? Nope. That hot skillet full of sizzling veggies and meat is a gringo concoction too!

Chili? You’ll get a blank stare.

I once threw a party for a bunch of my friends many many years ago when I first arrived here in La Paz. One of the items was “chili dogs.”

Who doesn’t like chili dogs?

Mexicans love their “hates.” (hotties). But every single person at that party wiped the chili off their hot dogs then put them back in the bun. I was mortified!

It was like watching someone pulling all the toppings off pizza and only eating the crust. Are you kidding me?

Chili’s origin is not Mexico. It’s the U.S border areas and started as a stew you tossed meat, beans and spices into.

Who does not love those deep-fried chimichanga burritos? We grew up on them at little league games; Tastee Freeze; and Mexican chain restaurants.

Well, that was an accident that happened at a gringo restaurant when the owner accidentally dropped a burrito into hot oil. It was so good, he kept it on the menu and its popularity grew.

Speaking of burritos…guess what? They didn’t origiate in Mexico either. You WILL find burritos in Mexican cities (mostly in street restaurants or tourist areas), but historically, they had their genesis in California only about 60 years ago.

And the fillings?

You’ll get shredded meats, grilled chunks of meat, but nothing that resembles what you’re used to. Again, no ground beef. Most of our Mexican friends use ground beef to make…hamburgers…an unquestionable gringo concoction.

Two other little tidbits of non-Mexican origin:

Ask for a lime in your beer, and you’ve just labeled yourself as a tourist. Locals don’t put a slice a lime in their beer.

The lime thing was something you squirted on the lip of your beer bottle or rubbed on the rim of your glass to keep flies away.

Picked up by certain beer companies…the idea took wings.

Finally, what’s more synonymous with Mexico than a margarita? Lots of places will lay claim to it’s invention, but most historians will point to it’s inception in California. And interestingly, most locals I know don’t drink them. They don’t even drink tequila.

We have had a restaurant in La Paz for over 12 years. Most will prefer rum drinks or whiskey shots over tequila drinks. They think gringos are crazy for drinking tequila!

By the way, that bottle of Tapatio hot sauce you’ll find everywhere? Check the label. It’s made in Southern California in Los Angeles!

That’s my story!

_____Jonathan_________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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THEY’RE MAKING IT TOO EASY!

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, highway, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricanes, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on September 17, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of Sept. 16, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publicaitions

License plates say a lot about certain areas.

Arizona’s plates proclaim the “Grand Canyon State.”Georgia’s plates tell you they have a lot peaches.

Minnesota wants you to know that they’ve got “10,000 lakes.” The “Corn State” is Iowa. Easy one.

I’m not quite sure about South Carolina as “the iodine state?” Hmmm…

Anyway, you get the gist.

Baja California’s license plate tells you it’s the “Frontera”. The Frontier.

Back in the day, almost 3 decades ago, when I first showed up down here in Baja, It surely was. On my first trip diving down by myself, it was not without some trepidation.

Armed with Auto Club Maps, tour books, extra water, gasoline, engine hoses and belts, shovels and even extra toilet paper, I sallied forth across the border. And there was no mistaking when you came across that threshold at Tijuana.

You were indeed, NOT in the U.S. any longer.

It looked different. It felt different. Even the Mexican air felt different.

And when you finally broke out past the dusty concrete block buildings; tire shops; mom-and-pop taco stands and roadside vendors and into the open arid desert heading south, you were on an adventure.

That desert went on for endless miles. It still does.

Over the many years, it has continued to be an adventure. And to live down here in those days, meant living on a much narrower margin of error than back in the U.S.

If you needed something, you didn’t just go down to the mall or Home Depot. If something broke, you fixed it or did without.

If you had to get from Point A to Point B, you had to ask yourself, how essential was it to get there? Did you have enough gas? Could you even buy gas? Did you even have transportation? Many is the time I walked…and walked…and walked s’more!

Finding the simplest thing could take an entire day driving from place to place.

Everything had to be planned and calculated.

You actually had to plan meals way in advance.

Running out’ve tomatoes or sugar wasn’t as simple as getting to the nearby grocery store. Maybe you’re out’ve water. Even more critical.

Even if you got there, there was no guarantee that they even had tomatoes or sugar…or water!

Things weren’t fixed by a simple phone call or checking the internet. There was no internet. No cell phones.

You could wait days or weeks for the simplest of services.

Initially, this took some getting used to. As Americans we’re used to having everything there at our fingertips.

But, living in Mexico took some adjustment. And for me, living out in the Mexican countryside made things double-hard…or at least incredibly inconvenient. You just learned to get along without…or adapt.

It could get frustrating. At times, it could be precariously dangerous or urgent. It still is for a majority of folks down here.

We used to love it when a friend would travel back to the states. They carried lists of all the things that could be (dare-I-say) “smuggled back” down to Baja.

Please bring me music cassettes, a tool, a pair of shoes, some fishing line…Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue…American food! Sausage…cheese…jerky…maple syrup…coffee!

Friends and clients used to actually bring famous In-N-Out hamburgers down to me from California. They were cold and greasy, but what a treat!

I would hoard and eat by myself where no one could see me devilishly inhaling that cold burger like a little pack rat. It was manna from heaven!

All of these things were the trade-off for being able to live by the ocean in a beautiful place.

That was living in the “frontera” of Baja.

Fast forward 2020.

Transportation?

A good number of my office staff arrive by Uber. Clients make their way around town or arrive at our restaurant by Uber. Need to get somewhere? It’s as easy as tapping out the app on your cellphone.

Three years ago, there were 8 Uber cars here in La Paz. Now, it seems half the population is an Uber driver.

You don’t have the ability to get bigger or smaller vehicles or share rides, but compared to transportation even 5 years ago, Uber is a no-brainer. It’s just good solid transportation for a fraction of the cost.

Locals don’t have to take crowded buses or walk. Visitors don’t have to rent cars or take expensive taxis.

My own car is good for about 5 miles. That’s it. Then it overheats. Uber has been the answer.

In fact, I don’t even need to spend/ waste a day hunting for many things anymore.

As I write this in my office, the delivery man just dropped off an Amazon box.

Yes the magic “A” word! Danger! Danger!

Thank you. Finally. Got that coffee bean grinder we “really” needed.

Let me put it over there with the box that came yesterday with the special diet cat food for our rescue cat; wine bottle openers for our restaurant; and the new electric toothbrush.

All “essential” things!

The day before that, they even delivered on Sunday. Got that cool set of patio lights; a new folding stepstool and even guitar strings! Waited two-whole days for that delivery!

Yes, convenience has arrived. And it’s been a game changer, even a life saver.

They’re making it too easy. And easy to get spoiled.

Progress and technology in Baja. Living the dream!

Now, if only they could deliver one of those In-N-Out burgers hot! Hopefully, another story for another time.

That’s my story!

Jonathan
Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter Sportfishingwww.tailhunter.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter Sportfishing8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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A PARALLEL UNIVERSE

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, planning, pompano, rental car, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on August 21, 2020| Leave a Comment »

A PARALLEL UNIVERSE?

Originally Published the Week of Aug. 18, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

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Have you ever found yourself during the day going through your usual routine and everything is just dandy? But somewhere, somehow you feel something is not quit right.

Hmmm….

Did you leave the iron on or tthe water running back home? Nope.

Forget to feed the dogs and cats? Nope

Got your wallet and keys? Check.

A birthday or anniversary or other event missed? Nope

Underwear on right side out? All good.

Just can’t put your finger on it. But, you know something just isn’t co-pacetic. There’s a slight disturbance in the force.

We’ve been up and running our fishing operation and small café and mini-market mostly for 2 months now here in La Paz. Like everyone else, just trying to pull-it-together and hold-it-together after 4 months of strict quarantine.

Moving forward as as best as we can. No other choice.

We’re thankful to be on our feet. Moving slowly, but gratefully. There’s a lot of our friends and neighbors who are not so lucky. No jobs. No money. Closed businesses. Layoffs continuing.

We are allowed only 30% occupancy at hotels and restaurants as well as other places of business. But frankly, there’s not enough people around to come close to that. Maybe 10-20% on a good day.

I guess, however, we’re settling into our groove. We have clients and friends coming and going like usual. They’re catching fish and doing the things they always do.

But after two months something is sorely amiss or missed.

We’re missing something here.

It wasn’t until about a week ago, it hit me. I was saying good bye to some folks that were headed out to the airport. And I reailzed…in SIX DAYS… I hadn’t even seen their faces! I had no idea what they looked like.

Conversely, they hadn’t seen mine either.

I’m not sure how to describe this.

When they arrive from the airport, they have their masks and go straight to their rooms. I see them for about 5 minutes in the morning when we put them on the boats.

On the boats, everyone is masked up. The captains are wearing them. The clients are wearing them. It doesn’t do much for social interaction. No one likes talking through a mask.

When they come to our restaurant, again, mask are on. They take them off when they are eating, but because of social distancing, it’s not like the old days when I’d pull up a chair; have a beer and socialize.

Or I stand 6’ away and try to have some kinds of conversation. It’s not very conducive to chatting.

So, after a number of days here, clients come. They go. And I’ve spent maybe 15 minutes total time with them. Hello. Now good-bye!

Hate to admit it, but with the safety protocols, it’s lonely and boring! I understand the need for all of these things to be in place. But they have made fishing and dining so anti-septically clinical, that it’s truly taken the fun out’ve it.

Fishing was always a social event. You get together with the guys or the family and you come fish and have a good time. We chat and laugh and I get to see real smiles.

We don’t even shake hands, hug or high-five anymore. When they’re trying to show off-photos of their catch, be careful not to get too close.

I can’t help carry their luggage. No one touches anything or immediately, you pull your gel out.

Even moving around town is different.

Have you ever been to Universal Studios where you’re walking down one of those movie-set city blocks?” Everything in those movie cities and neighborhoods is perfect.

The people are perfect. Cars are perfect. Everything is clean and spotless. Everyone looks straight ahead. Got their masks on. No eye contact. No “Buenos dias.” No waving hello. No talking.

If anyone were smiling, you would never know it.

It’s just like they are all movie “extras” following a script and you’re just in the middle wondering what’s going on.

People here move from Point A to Point B and then they get off the street.

There’s no kids out. There’s no teenagers out. No families.

No laughter. No smiles. No joy. No fun.

That’s what’s missing.

…and that’s my story.

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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BAJA GROUND ZERO VOICES

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packing fish, Panga Fishing, pargo, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on May 6, 2020| Leave a Comment »

BAJA GROUND ZERO VOICES

Originally Published the Week of May 7, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

I thought this week rather than headline news, you might be interested in comments from locals and gringos living in Baja regarding what it’s like south of the border right now.

It’s not too different from the U.S. But, just to give you some context:

Currently, as of this writing Mexico has more than 2000 fatalities and 23,000 reported cases.

The states of Baja Norte and Baja Sur have about 2000 cases with about 40 deaths.

The statewide quarantine is in effect until May 30th. For almost 2 months, all beaches, schools, public areas, restaurants, stores and other non-essential businesses have been closed. There is an 8 p.m. curfew in place.

Many tourism businesses are making plans to re-open after the first of June. A number of airlines plan to start flying during that time as well.

Here’s just a small slice of what folks are thinking and, in many ways, it’s not too far from what many of us are experiencing.

HORACIO (49-year-old-taxi-driver) – It is very difficult. We do not have too many cases in La Paz, but we watch the U.S. news and it is crazy. I need to work. There are no riders for my taxi and no gas for the car. There is no other money.

ANGELINA (Single Mother of 2) – In our town the government announced a food truck would arrive with lots of food. We waited 4 hours with several hundred other families. No truck ever showed up. Several weeks earlier, they did the same thing, but the first people got all the bags they could carry. There was nothing left for anyone else. Then, the workers were told they were only supposed to give 2 bags to each family.

NINITA (Retired teacher 60 years old) – I am OK because I have a retirement check. But, my grown children all lost their jobs so they have moved back with me. Even my daughter that teaches in the United States returned because her school closed. They eat A LOT! It is nice to be together again, but I am worried for them.

JEFFREY (Retired gringo living just outside Tijuana) – At first we didn’t take it seriously. Then people blamed the U.S. for infecting us so they wanted to block the border. Kind of ironic really. All the Americans were crossing the border to buy toilet paper and there were lines at all the big box stores like COSTCO.

LORENZO – (panga captain) – There is not much to do. No business. Normally, we are very busy. We live 40 miles from the city and our pueblo has no internet. School is closed. We have no TV. We cannot go to the city because the roads are blocked. There is no medical care here and no money for gasoline for the panga or the car.

CHALO – (cook 52-years -old) – The restaurant I work at closed. So, I stay at home. But, there is not even beer to drink. All the breweries got closed by the government. So, shelves are empty or the prices are triple normal. Some people are selling blackmarket illegally from their homes or trunks. The police will arrest us if we are out past 8 p.m. But, I know people that still have parties. I have no car so I can’t go anywhere.

NORMAN – (70 year old retired American) – Many gringo neighbors had to decide to stay in Mexico or leave. I understand many of my friends are older and high-risk so they didn’t want to take a chance with Mexican medical care. There’s no shortage in the markets and this is my home so I plan to stay. But, I have many things like TV and a computer and internet that locals unfortunately do not have.
ROSALIA – (43 years old office assistant and mother) – I have a reduced salary and work hours, but my husband cannot work. He got sick during the quarantine and has been in the hospital several times for emergencies to his kidneys. I cannot visit him in the hospital and be with him because of the virus. But, they send him home very quickly after treatments because of the virus in the hospitals. Then, his illness comes back.

JACOBO – (Musician and graphic artist) With all the restaurants and bars closed I have no place to play but I can make a little money online doing graphic design. I am from mainland Mexico and moved to Baja. I was going to move back home with my parents when the virus first hit Baja. My parents are both doctors and told me to stay in Baja where it is safer. Everyone is angry at the politicians. They did not act quickly enough.

Many people ignore the quarantines and defy authorities. They have parties. They go to the beach. They do not respect social distancing. They do not believe this is a big problem.

ZACHARY – When the quarantine hit, I had just pulled the sailboat I live on out’ve the water. I didn’t think this would be two months. I am on a boat sitting on blocks on DRY LAND in a dusty boat yard ! Not my favorite idea of social distancing. Cabin fever crazy right now!

SERGIO – (Transportation Driver) – My wife keeps making me clean the house. We have the cleanest house in the neighborhood. I need to get out before my wife makes me clean the house again. But there is nowhere to go!

That’s my (their) story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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ENDEAVOR to PERSEVERE

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, christmas, circle hooks, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, rentals, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on December 15, 2019| Leave a Comment »

ENDEAVOR to PERSEVERE

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 17, 2019 in Western Outdoor News Publications

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I know it’s the holiday season.

Christmas is still two weeks away and I don’t wanna sound like the Grinch. I love Christmas!

However, a couple of nights ago, I was overdosing on Christmas movies. One-after-the-other on TV non-stop.

Ever been there? A little too much sugar and spice at one time?

All the Hallmark movies end the same. Pretty girl falls in love with the good-looking guy in the cute Christmas village.

Clarence gets his wings with the help of Jimmy Stewart and a Wonderful Life.

Charlie Brown and his little tree give us the true meaning of Christmas.

Bing Crosby had his White Christmas after all.

Y’know, as much as I love Christmas movies, there’s only so much sweetness and goodness a guy can take in a row. So, I did a 180 with the TV remote.

I popped on Clint Eastwood and “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” Yea!

outlaw-josey-wales

Nothing like a squinty-eyed Clint with a big pistol in his hands to bring a guy’s testosterone levels back in line.

Hardly Christmas stuff, but what the heck…

There’s some gems in there. You may remember, actor Chief Dan George as the old Indian Lone Watie. He says to Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood)

“Endeavor to persevere.”

Josey wales

It’s a phrase that kinda stuck with me. In fact, I was reminded of it just a few days ago.

Jerry and his buddy, Alex, have been fishing with our operation in La Paz for about 10 years. Jerry wrote me an e-mail asking for suggestions on what kind of fishing gear to get for Alex for Christmas.

Not an unusual question on its face. But, the e-mail had some “involved” questions about “dual drags” and “graphite rods vs. fiberglass.” There were questions about “knife jigs” and “colors of trolling lures.” Did I know anything about “retrieve ratios” for fishing reels?

Let me put this in context.

Ten years ago, Jerry and Alex when they first came to visit, they couldn’t catch a fish if fish jumped in the boat. In fact, they had never fished in the ocean, let alone fishing in Mexico.

They weren’t terrible.

Let’s just say they were “inexperienced.”

They fumbled with rods and reels. They tried to tie knots that came undone. They busted rod tips and tangled lines. Hooks ended up catching hats and clothes. Open tackle boxes tipped over spilling all manners of “stuff” on the floor.

fishing-bad-fail-768x413

We’ve all been there in some way, shape or form. But these two brothers just couldn’t get the hang of it.

Fish were lost. Bites were missed. How can they be the ONLY boat in my fleet that comes back with zero fish during a wide-open bite?

Not just one day…almost every day.

fish-snaggers-4x32

I try to make a point every day of talking to each of my fishermen to check on them. And every day, Jerry and Alex had the longest faces.

And a lot of questions They couldn’t understand why everyone else was catching fish except them.

Every day, I’d answer their questions. We would try to figure out where their technique was off. Try to rally and encourage them.

But, pretty much everything they tried just complicated it. In my mind, they were simply thinking too much and trying to hard. Concepts like how to pin a bait were concepts that just couldn’t grasp.

But, give ‘em credit, they hung in there.

3c6bcb6b7b5f466227e5922171b0c55d

When I bid them “adios” and thanked them for visiting, I was sure they wouldn’t come back.

I shook their hands. All I could say was, “Hope you had a good time and I’m sorry you didn’t catch more fish.” What else could I say?

They shook my hand and thanked me and one of them smiled and said, “Endeavor to persevere” as he ducked into the shuttle van.

Endeavor to persevere? OK. Whatever.

At the time, I figured it meant, “O well, that’s fishing.” See ya around.

Like I said, I thought I’d never see them again.

But, every year, they returned.

Every year they got a little better. It took a bit, but the next year, they caught a few more fish although they still bumbled. And they still had a mound of questions each day after fishing.

And, normally pretty shy guys, I saw them talking to other fishermen too.

And each year, they got a bit better. So, did their gear.

That first year, it was like some kid at Walmart or Target sold ‘em a bill of goods and made a helluva commission. They came with so much junk they were told they “must have” to fish in Mexico. I felt sorry for them.

But the more they learned and watched, the better the gear got. It was good to see.

Other guys were still catching more and bigger. But Alex and Jerry were starting to have more fun.

Not one time in all those years did I hear them bitch about anything. It was never “the captain’s fault” or “the weather and current” or “bad bait.”

They hung in there. They persevered. And they got better.

And it was more fun for me too. Anyone in this business likes to have folks enjoying themselves.

I reminded the guys about that first year and them saying “ Endeavor to persevere”. Apparently, they were fans of Josey Wales too.

Alex told me, “Clint never gives up. “

Simple as that. No other explanation needed. And then he asked me how to tie a San Diego knot.

I think I’m gonna get a t-shirt that says, “Endeavor to Persevere.” Wise words to hold onto. No matter what you’re doing.

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

Read Full Post »

Shut My Mouth!

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, hurricane, hurricanes, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packing fish, panga, pargo, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, speaking spanish, sportfishing, storms, suitcases, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, Travel, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, deep sea, diving, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on August 25, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Day-6-Wheeling-and-dealing-with-the-Mexican-jewelry-salesman.

That’s the idea! Have some fun with it!

Shut My Mouth

Originally Published the Week of Aug. 27, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

It was an awkward situation that had the potential to turn ugly. Actually, it already was.

On the sidewalk outside our restaurant in La Paz, a gringo (I’ll call him Pete) was getting pretty loud.

In front of him looking embarrassed and afraid was Jose who makes his living walking up and down the beach and waterfront selling jewelry. Everthing is “genuine” and of “highest quality.” (wink wink).

But he says it with a smile so you know it’s a game.

No, that $30 Rolex watch is not waterproof nor would you expect it to be! Not for $30 and you’re a doofus if you think it’s real!

But I know Jose. He’s a good guy. He works hard. He doesn’t pester or hound. Folks like him and look for him. He laughs a lot and he runs a good bargain.

That turquoise bracelet that is 100% silver he tells you it’s $60. And he laughs. He’s dangles the bait in the water.

He EXPECTS you to say “no” and give him a counter offer!

He knows that the bracelet is not worth $60 and he figures you’re smart enough to know that too! If you plop down $60 and you’re happy…well so be it!

But, you say $15. He laughs and says $50.
You say $17 and he says “no way” and laughs again. He says he can’t sell it for less than $45.

Back and forth. Back and forth. You really want it. He really wants to sell it to you.

When you both finally settle on $21 dollars, everyone is happy! He made a sale and made a few bucks. You got a pretty piece of “genuine” silver and turquoise.

Win-win. It’s the game. It’s fun. It’s expected.

That’s not how it was going today. And by the way both Pete and Jose were looking at me, I was being drawn in as a referee.

Pete was getting pretty livid.

“This guy is like all the rest. He’s just trying to rip me off!”

Whoa…I already don’t like the usage of “all the rest” and “rip me off” in the same sentence.

Calm down Pete. Let me get Jose’s side.

Jose looked like he could use some assistance because Pete’s whole family was there and Pete was still causing a commotion drawing a crowd to listen in.

Jose explained to me that he and Pete had done a deal over several items of jewelry.

Well, Pete wanted his change in dollars!

Jose is a street vendor. He doesn’t or didn’t have dollars. So, he tried to give Pete the change in pesos.

Pete didn’t want pesos, but he definitely wanted the jewelry and didn’t understand the exchange rate.

Ultimately, there was a $5 dollar difference in what Pete thought and what Jose was giving him in change. Five freakin’ dollars!

And Pete was letting everyone know about it who would listen. About getting “ripped off” by “these people.”

By the way, Pete came into town on 75’ yacht and loved telling people over and over about it and all his antique sportscars. Five dollars. Are you kidding me?

I explained to Pete about the exchange rate and that no one had been trying “rip him off. Jose didn’t have American money to give him any change.

Pete glared.

“What you gonna do, Pete? Do you want the jewelry and pesos?”

He took his family and stormed off. Mumbling something about, “What am I supposed to do with pesos in my pocket?” Emphasis on the “I” as if it was beneath him to have pesos and how demeaning it was.

Uh, you’re in Mexico, Dude. I’m sure you’ll find something to spend that on.

His pretty blonde wife and two perfect kids also walked away indignantly with their noses in the air.

Jose gave me an appreciative high-five “gracias.” He shrugged. Just another day working the street. I’m sure it’s not the first time.

I won’t write what some of the other onlookers said about Pete and his family.

It got me thinking about five dollars here in Mexico…

Five dollars a day is what some people bring home after a day of work. A six-day work weeks gets you a whopping $30 to live on.

If you have a car (rarely), it buys one gallon of gas. Not to cruise or go to the beach. Hopefully that gallon is enough to putter to and from work. hopefully enough to bring the kids to and from school.

Five dollars is a bus ride to work and back. Even though you are only making 11 dollars for working a 12-hour day.

Five dollars barely buys a crappy dinner for a family of 3. That’s 3 Cokes and 3 Cup-O-Noodles in the styrofoam cup. Salt and sugar for dinner. Highly nutritious but at least you don’t go to bed hungry.
Five bucks buys you enough propane for a week to cook and light your home.

For cleaning 15 messed-up hotel rooms by herself, five bucks is the total amount of tips your cleaning lady made at the resort you’re staying at.

Just enough to pay for her bus ride home tonite.

Enjoy that genuine silver jewelry, Pete.

That’s my story…

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico
U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, 8030 La Mesa Blvd. #178, La Mesa CA 91942

Phones:
from USA : 626-638-3383
from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863
.

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report: http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

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Jonathan has written for:

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Western Outdoor News Magazine
Pacific Coast Sportfishing
Discover Baja Magazine
Baja Life Magazine
The Log
Fish Taco Chronicles
Sportsman's Channel Magazine

His articles also appear in:

San Diego Union Newspaper
Los Angeles Times Newspaper
Sacramento Bee
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Tailhunter International, La Paz, Baja Sur

Archive for the ‘Mexico Christmas’ Category

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Originally Published the Week of May 7, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

ENDEAVOR to PERSEVERE

ENDEAVOR to PERSEVERE

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 17, 2019 in Western Outdoor News Publications

Shut My Mouth!

Shut My Mouth

Originally Published the Week of Aug. 27, 2019 in Western Outdoor Publications

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