Ramblings Part IV

Ramblings Part IV

I enjoyed showing Sharon around La Paz.  She was truly amazed by the place.  The image of Mexico in South Africa is of drug lords wielding violence over a subdued population, with bodies hanging from bridges and mass graves.  She is of the opinion that South Africa goes to a lot of effort to publicize horror stories in other countries in an attempt to divert attention away from the corruption and mass violence that has become a part of the South African way of life.  Since Mandela, the country has sunken into being the murder, terror, and rape capital of the world.  Reverse discrimination is so rampant, corruption at every level of government is so common, crime is so vicious, and uncontrolled, that people live in fear all the time.  Anyone who has the capacity and the wherewithal to do it is leaving South Africa.  The problem with that is, there has been so much corruption in the South African passports and important documents, that most countries will not allow travelers from South Africa, and immigrants are not accepted almost anywhere in the world.  Sharon had to obtain a US Visa in order to travel to Mexico.  That is really strange to me;she understands the logic, but I do not. South Africa sounds like an awful place to be trapped in.

As far as Mexico goes, I think that the US has done the same thing to Mexico that Sharon said was being done in SA, only reporting the crime, corruption and dangers in Mexico, and none of the good stuff.  Even in the US, the image of Mexico is one of poverty, deprived people, greasy little wetbacks trying to pick your pocket, of violence; bodies hanging from bridges is a good example.  I think most Americans fear being in Mexico, at least the ones I know, and they think how brave, courageous, or stupid that we are for going and living there.  If everyone knew Mexico like I know Mexico, there would be a migration of retired people who would come  and never go back.  But because I love the way it is, and don’t want it to change, let’s just between us: keep Mexico our little secret. 

I took Sharon to Buffalito’s where they have outdoor dining only, in fact there is no roof over this enclosed compound.  The walls have been tastefully decorated with lights and small sculptures and the floor is concrete.  It is open to the stars, and tables are spread all around to accommodate the guests.  The tables are nicely dressed with table cloths, silverware, and candles, which give a nice warm feel to the whole place.   In the winter when it is cold, they bring out pole heaters and place them close to your table to keep you warm.  And of course when it rains, which is not often, they close down.  Their grill is an open fire pit, where they burn pure mesquite wood.  This wood does not come from a bag, it is in logs and piled up by the door.  Mesquite is a local wood and men sell it off trucks that go around town.  The Buffalito Burger is the best hamburger in the world, bar none.  Mexican beef is typically free range cattle.  This could be changing with all the modernization going on here, but the beef is very, very tasty.  In steaks and unprocessed meats, it seems that the meat is a little tougher that what I’m used to, but significantly better tasting. 

Sharon, not being a big beef eater, ordered the tuna steak, and was asked how she wanted it cooked, rare, medium, well done, etc.  She was taken back by the question, because she had never been asked that about cooking fish before, but ordered it medium rare.  She said later that that was the best fish she had ever eaten in her entire life, and it was cooked to perfection.  I don’t think I have to tell you how I felt about my hamburger. I think you already know.

We spent a couple of days getting ready to start the trip.  I had thought that we should start out easy, and spend a few days out at the local islands around La Paz, sort of a shakedown cruise, first to test the boat out, and make sure everything was working, and to get Sharon used to the boat and the area,  then coming back to the Marina. When we left for good, we would first go north to Loreta because it was such a beautiful trip, then across the Sea of Cortez to the mainland, and then South.  But Sharon was ready to go and suggested that we go to the islands, from there to Loreta, since we were already in that direction, visit a few days, then back to the marina, reprovision, check out and head south.  With that plan, we may be able to start south a little earlier than with my plan, but she was eager to get started so we agreed.