My story isn't nearly as good. On a surfing trip in Baja California, we bought a bunch of lobster from a fisherman living on the beach. That night we slept on the sand. We woke up the next morning surrounded by federales, all heavily armed and pointing their guns at us. Scared the shit out of all of us. In the end, they just took the lobster and left us. That was my last surfing trip to Baja.
Yeah, an arsenal of guns will wake you right up. Hilarious that they took all the lobsters. There's a great Godfather nod in this scene. Leave the surfers, take the lobsters.
"We could drink, eat, fish and swim in the ocean. What could go wrong?" Yup, famous last words. I lived in San Diego for 20+ years. When we were teens we'd go to Tijuana because we could drink. The problem is so can the Federales. When you walk up to the cantina and there's a drunk Federale sitting outside, leaning his chair back on two legs, playing with his gun (not a euphemism) common sense says to turn around and go home. We didn't of course, cause you know... common sense.
Ha! I grew up in Lake Elsinore, and I also made several sojourns into Tijuana. That image of the drunk Federale playing with his gun is all too familiar. Made my hairs stand up on my arms. Also reminds me of one of the more horrifying cab rides I've ever taken, all over Avenida Revolución. The horror!
Yeah, but Avenida Revolución had the best stuff! The cheap knock-off Guess branded merch was so worth it :) It was the 80s... If we were really flush with cash we'd go to the Rosarito Beach Hotel where we could get a lobster dinner and a bucket of Corona for $5. Ah the good ol days!
I'm writing about a bachelor party weekend I spent in that very hotel! And my mom loved Avenida Revolución for the bartering. She would talk some poor bastard down hundreds of dollars for a leather jacket and then just go, "Nah, I don't really want it." She was basically a terrorist.
Can't wait to read it. My parents took me to RBH for my 16th birthday... so I could drink. Parenting, you're doing it right :) I forgot about the leather jackets -- I always got the cotton Lopez -- or Mexican hoodie for those who don't know.
My mom would buy all those big plastic statues -- like a pig in a sombrero and they'd be in the house. We named them Tacky ___ . So we had Tacky Pig, Tacky Frog... I'll have to find the pics. As my dog aged, he'd pee on Tacky Pig if he couldn't hold it. I thought it was perfect. He probably thought, "Not the couch, not the carpet.... what can I... OMG this abomination! I know they can't really like this... (Lifts his leg).
I see Charlie in a whole new light after reading this! Way to be a bad ass Charlie, I’m pretty sure a 70s outlaw country musician would have made this caper a hit song had they known!
This is an epic tale of mischief in Mexico. I’ve been to Puerto Penasco and can totally see this happening back in the day. I’m jealous you have this story in your arsenal.
Norm, this Gringo Bandito is very touched by you telling my story and your ending is very special to me!
¡Mi placer, amigo!
My story isn't nearly as good. On a surfing trip in Baja California, we bought a bunch of lobster from a fisherman living on the beach. That night we slept on the sand. We woke up the next morning surrounded by federales, all heavily armed and pointing their guns at us. Scared the shit out of all of us. In the end, they just took the lobster and left us. That was my last surfing trip to Baja.
Your family is just a wealth of great stories.
Yeah, an arsenal of guns will wake you right up. Hilarious that they took all the lobsters. There's a great Godfather nod in this scene. Leave the surfers, take the lobsters.
Pops is a King!
Long may he live.
"We could drink, eat, fish and swim in the ocean. What could go wrong?" Yup, famous last words. I lived in San Diego for 20+ years. When we were teens we'd go to Tijuana because we could drink. The problem is so can the Federales. When you walk up to the cantina and there's a drunk Federale sitting outside, leaning his chair back on two legs, playing with his gun (not a euphemism) common sense says to turn around and go home. We didn't of course, cause you know... common sense.
Ha! I grew up in Lake Elsinore, and I also made several sojourns into Tijuana. That image of the drunk Federale playing with his gun is all too familiar. Made my hairs stand up on my arms. Also reminds me of one of the more horrifying cab rides I've ever taken, all over Avenida Revolución. The horror!
Yeah, but Avenida Revolución had the best stuff! The cheap knock-off Guess branded merch was so worth it :) It was the 80s... If we were really flush with cash we'd go to the Rosarito Beach Hotel where we could get a lobster dinner and a bucket of Corona for $5. Ah the good ol days!
I'm writing about a bachelor party weekend I spent in that very hotel! And my mom loved Avenida Revolución for the bartering. She would talk some poor bastard down hundreds of dollars for a leather jacket and then just go, "Nah, I don't really want it." She was basically a terrorist.
Can't wait to read it. My parents took me to RBH for my 16th birthday... so I could drink. Parenting, you're doing it right :) I forgot about the leather jackets -- I always got the cotton Lopez -- or Mexican hoodie for those who don't know.
My mom would buy all those big plastic statues -- like a pig in a sombrero and they'd be in the house. We named them Tacky ___ . So we had Tacky Pig, Tacky Frog... I'll have to find the pics. As my dog aged, he'd pee on Tacky Pig if he couldn't hold it. I thought it was perfect. He probably thought, "Not the couch, not the carpet.... what can I... OMG this abomination! I know they can't really like this... (Lifts his leg).
Tijuana Tchotchkes--there's a title for something. ;)
I see Charlie in a whole new light after reading this! Way to be a bad ass Charlie, I’m pretty sure a 70s outlaw country musician would have made this caper a hit song had they known!
Ooh, great idea! I may have to write these lyrics!
Please do! I will be first on the download list for this!
This is an epic tale of mischief in Mexico. I’ve been to Puerto Penasco and can totally see this happening back in the day. I’m jealous you have this story in your arsenal.
Right? Mexico is one of those places where it seems like anything can happen, good, bad, terrifying, and otherwise.
Omg!! Love this story!! Pops, the legend!! Who knew!🤣❤️
Who knew? The Federales, I'm guessing. ;)
Amazing story. Nicely told, too. Time watching movies is not wasted. And that Chevy pickup, what a vehicle!
Right?! My wife has given me instructions in no uncertain terms to buy that year, make, and model if I ever come across it.
Great story Norm. We used to go to Rocky Point a lot, living in AZ. As ever Minerva.
Glad to hear you made it out unjailed. :)