We’re on a short countdown until the Baja Adventure ends. In just a few days, we’re back across the border … and honestly I’m not sure I can do it.

BAJA FOR MY BIRTHDAY?

We came down to Baja just over two months ago to attend a nomadic vanlife festival … and then we just decided to stay. The culture, nature, and people down here in Baja are simply incredible, and we had to explore everything.

But as with all things, there comes change. And I suppose it’s in how you adapt to those changes that determine your wellbeing.

There are events in play for us which require in-person appointments in the states that are frankly in the insufferable hands of bureaucracy. We need to be ready at a moments notice to stand in front of a government clerk to present paperwork. And so the calendar is not currently our friend.

My only request during this was that I wanted to spend my birthday (April 10th, in case you want to send a card) down here in Mexico. And somehow we’re managing that. But still, we don’t know when we’ll have to quickly get north.

So, what’s so important? Spanish Citizenship, actually.

And no, not mine. Nikki (my girlfriend) was born in Cuba. Her grandfather had to flee Spain under the regime of Franco (and obviously traded one evil for a future one in the making). But the good news is, Spain decided last year to create a program encouraging people like Nikki to return home.

Just jump through endless piles paperwork and viola, she can become a Spanish Citizen! (And as her domestic partner, I get to become a permanent resident as well).

Only, the process requires an appointment at the Spanish Consulate in Miami. Which requires us to somehow acquire said appointment and get Nikki there in time. So you see, wandering around in the desert of Baja California isn’t going to help with that.

So by the time you read this, we’ll be crossing the border, heading towards storing the bus for however long it takes to get the process underway, and generally going into waiting mode. Doesn’t that sound like more fun than eating tacos in Baja? LOL!

Anyway … I’m actually not looking forward to the border crossing, but more on that in a moment.

Baja is ... CLOSED? • But We Need a PLACE TO STAY!

Yesterday was Easter Sunday and all last week was Semana Santa, or Holy Week. And here in Mexico, that means it’s a party. I would have guessed something more religious, but nope … think in terms of everyone running for the beaches and letting loose for a solid seven days.

What this means for mobile gringos like us is that the places we usually stay are now filled with locals. Which is cool, it’s their country. But one has to plan and adapt this week. In many ways. Now we turned out to be lucky as we had made connections on the way down the peninsula and those connections helped us to find parking … which is where I’m actually typing this from. But …

Besides just finding a place to stay, everything around you is loud. And I mean LOUD. There are competing stereo systems blasting music right outside my window and have been doing so for days. Which again is cool … but it does provide difficulty when it comes to creating videos. And sleeping. LOL!

But … it has been an experience.

THE HARD PART

Nikki and I promised each other that we wouldn’t step foot in the US during 2024. Because we both felt that the election nonsense would be too much. Not that I want to make any of this political … but we don’t believe that the upcoming has anything to do with governance. Nothing to do with issues and solutions. It’s just a year long reality super bowl show filled with cults and dogma, and frankly we want no part of it. Everything is geared for a select few, and 99.9% of the population will not be served by it. Only entertained.

But we do have to come back, even if only to visit family and to deal with Spanish paperwork. We’re still working on what all of this means, to be honest.

We love people. Here, in the US, everywhere. People are not our problem, and there is never a contest to see which country has the best people. All humans win. And we’re toying with the idea of a road trip north to see the wonderful national parks of the US as well as the people who live on our route.

But still … the act of crossing the border and being told “welcome home” is unsettling. Because my home shouldn’t be filled with drama and hatred.

Anyway … sorry to bring you down this newsletter. I’m actually really upbeat and excited about 2024, and I can’t wait to share with you what we find.

• Rick

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