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Violence in Baja - Something for Everyone
Baja Is for Everyone Essay Entry
Rick Harr
Pollock Pines, CA
The Violence in Baja along the boarder with the US has allegenedly increased in recent years and is something of concern for honest citizens of both the US and Mexico. But I’m here to tell you of the violence that has always been a part of Baja and will continue to be forever.
My wife of fifteen years and I have been coming to the Los Cabos Area independently since the 70s and both discovered our passion for this region as well as each other when we were married in 1996. Since that time Los Cabos has under gone many changes, but the violence remains. Many of you reading this article will be wondering “What violence? Baja does not have any violence.” Well, your wrong, let me explain. There’s violence of man vs. man and there’s violence that occurs naturally.
The inhumanity of man along the boarder towns is truly an ugly thing, but the beauty of naturally occurring violence can be spectacular to behold.
Take one of Baja’s greatest activities Sport Fishing.
Now at first you would think how can fishing be violent? Simple. As the boat cruises the azure sea rolling gently with the waves, a small bait is towed behind. Without warning a violent act is about to occur. A marlin trails the bait and suddenly attacks, hitting the lure with such force that fish and bait are propelled out of the sea. The deck hand sets the hook with a violent jerk of the rod and more violence ensues as the fish struggles to free itself. The great fish leaps from the sea and dives to great depths. The angler strains their mussels, backs bend, fighting chairs creek and smiles are on everyone’s face. This fight can last hours until one party tires and the beautiful but violent creature is released back to the sea.
Another example of the great violence that occurs in Baja is the sea itself.
Looking at the beautiful colors from turquoise to deep blue, and the apparent calmness that distance affords, one would not suspect the violence that is constant. Baja has some of the best waves in the world for surfing but this also has a violent aspect.
As the sea floor rises to the shore line tons of water are forced by the wave action and currents into an ever rising swell. As any surfer can attest this swell can be one of the most violent things on earth. Tons of water crash over upon itself churning up foam, sand and other debris while simultaneously forcing everything to the bottom of the ocean to be pulverized on the sea floor. If you are unfortunate enough to experience this wrath you will know the sea is violent.
I have witnessed many other violent acts in Baja including the cascading water falls pounding into the water below, Pelicans diving from great heights and slamming into the sea for fish, Dune buggies and ATV’s sliding and leaping over the hard packed roads, horses hoofs slamming into the sand and the violent pop of the top off an ice cold beer bottle.
Yes, Baja is a violent place, but violence is in the eye on the beholder, and every time I witness one of the violent acts I say God, I want to do that.