I feel the same

Posted By: gringorio
Date: 10/25/08 5:37p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Don't go where you shouldn't go... (Rick A)

I agree with what everyone is saying here - you get back what you put out there... The worst ever experience I had was in northern Sinaloa doing bird surveys and vegetation sampling with the USGS. Our truck had U.S. government plates and in one small town in which we were lost someone yelled "Go home f@*king gringos!" She truly looked very angry at the sight of us. That was the worst thing... Another time, after paddling across the Colorado River Delta - we hung out in El Golfo de Santa Clara for a couple days waiting for our ride. Strange, camping on Isla Montague there was an aweful lot of late late night panga activity going up the river... In El Golfo, one gentleman we met was very friendly and curious about what we were doing. When my brother and I decided to walk downtown to buy food and beer he warned us in a way no one had ever done any place else. He said something like "You boys be careful - people are always watching in this town - do you have a pocket knife or anything? You both stand out like a sore thumb, just keep your heads up..." This man had the look of someone who knew what he was talking about... This subject interests me though, because this winter I am considering paddling from Rocky Point to Bahia Kino (I know, a kayak is not a sailboat ... I just can't afford one yet...) and am wondering about the safety aspects of that stretch of coast as related to drug running? Anyway, I agree - be careful when and where you go and treat everyone respectfully... Happy sailing, greg