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Published: March 11th 2007
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Feburay 13
The clerk at the ferry office, in Topolobampo, did not speak English. My limited Spanish easily got us two tickets, a spot for the motor-home, and a cabin for the 11 PM crossing. The Bothan has gone on many ferry rides, but this is, by far, the most expensive. After wondering around the town of Topolobampo, Bob got a Mexican haircut.
The night on the ferry was comfortable, and we had a good sleep. Since we are entering a different Mexican state, the Baja Sur, we needed to get in the traffic line for a Federal Inspection. Well, what we witnessed for the next three hours was incredible. Trucks, cars, vans all literally being taken apart by armed Policia. Cargo removed, side doors taken apart, sniffing dogs looking for drugs, guards with automatic machine guns, other guards climbing into vegetable trucks searching and rummaging, opening cartons and thrusting long rods into every crevice of the vehicles, as we watched, we thought of how many places our RV has to stash “stuff”. When our turn finally came we gave our passports and the guard asked “frutas?” So we turned over our oranges and apples and were directed to
move along. Americans and Canadians were simply given a cursory look, but the Mexicans-Wow, it was another story. We later found out that La Paz is getting ready for ‘Festival” and many, many Mexican venders are coming across the border, soooo there was extreme caution looking for drugs or something else?
February 14
We settled in at Casa Blanca RV Park and hopped a bus into the center of La Paz. Our first stop was the public markets, it was jammed and bustling with venders and people buying and eating. Buying street food is very common here. Down at the beach area lots of tents were being put up for the festival, it is a party atmosphere.
The Spanish School in La Paz is something that interests us. So we walked to it and spoke with Julie. It is an immersion school and the curriculum is geared for adults. Students are encouraged to live with a local family and participate in the family life, and also attend four hours of instruction five days a week. If I really want to learn the language this is the way to go.
Getting the bus back home
was more difficult than coming to town. The bus was definitely going the wrong way, so we tried another bus, after some map displaying, etc., but it too was not going in the right direction. So we got off and walked.
February 15, 2007. Being persistent, we are ready to tackle the bus system again. There are lots of little buses all with the windshield covered in whitewash displaying the important stops and some magic numbers or letters. How the driver can see through this mess is amazing. Most streets here are four way stops, and it is like playing “chicken”. We find our way back to the “centro” and discover the town plaza and church, quite lovely.
One unfortunate thing we have observed, driving or walking through Mexico--- is lots of trash, “basuro”. There are many signs stating, “do not litter”, but it is everywhere.
Back at the Spanish School, we were invited to attend a Spanish presentation. The instructor only spoke Spanish but he spoke clearly, repeated many phrases and had a great sense of humor. My confidence improved, as I could actually understand “most” of the talk without getting a headache.
Late lunch
was seafood at Briasa Restaurante, overlooking the Sea of Cortez, wonderful food and a delightful view. We conquered the bus system and arrived home, yeah! Time to move on.
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