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A Few Tips for Speaking Spanish in Mexico

Kelsey Mulyk — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Mexico, No Wrong Turns

"I'm done." I said in Spanish as I smiled and looked at our waitress, "Muchas gracias!", I continued, beaming at my Spanish prowess. She smiled back -- actually she looked like she was struggling to hold in laughter when I realized my error --- I had just told her I was done like DEAD. Ack! The embarrassment of the situation got me, I smiled sheepishly and dragged Tom to the exit to make a quick escape.

When traveling in a foreign country it is important (and so much more fun!) to try speaking the language -- even just the tiniest effort can make all the difference. So far the Mexicans seem to be pretty encouraging, they happily smile and nod while we stumble through our limited Spanish. They even are nice enough to pretend that we are making sense!

When you are learning a new language you are going to make a lot of mistakes, that it just the way it goes and, of course, the only way to learn is to make a few errors. However, there are some things that would be nice to know before you start chatting away in another language.

Here are a few tips for Mexican Spanish that you might want to keep in mind to prevent awkward speaking situations:

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A Few Tips for Speaking Spanish in Mexico originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Try the Fish Taco: Baja's Favorite Food

Kelsey Mulyk — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Food and Drink, Mexico, No Wrong Turns

Maybe it's just me, but the first time I heard the words "fish" and "taco" together I felt rather nauseous. But, the ol' fish taco is definitely Baja's favorite and most famous meal -- be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Just about everywhere you look there is a taco stand accompanied by a sign with a happy looking cartoon fish encouraging you to come over and try this local specialty.

The customs officer who helped us with our paperwork in Tijuana was the first person to mention the fish taco. In fact, he recommended that we eat as much fish as we could in the Baja. I don't mind fish but it seems like a risky food to consume at an outdoor stand...really how long can shrimp sit in the sun before it becomes a hazard to someone's health?

Rumored to be a creation of Japanese fishermen, this meal was the word on everyone's lips by the time we reached Southern Baja. "Try the fish taco" was pretty much a daily occurrence. Usually, I am game to try most foods but for some reason I pictured this dish as a soggy taco with undercooked fish coated in a slimy sauce. I hadn't even seen a fish taco in actuality but already this figment of my imagination had turned my stomach against it. Soon, though, curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to see whether the fish taco was any good -- so I came up with a plan. This well-devised plan was to get my husband Tom to try one and let me know how it was.

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Try the Fish Taco: Baja's Favorite Food originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: Accommodations and Restaurants in Todos Santos

Kelsey Mulyk — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Food and Drink, Mexico, Hotels and Accommodations, No Wrong Turns

Todos Santos, the little town I mentioned in my last post, offers a quiet escape from the typical vacation destination of Cabo San Lucas. This small town is home to a mix of Mexicans, artists, surfers and ex-pats and offers some of the best surfing in the Baja. Pair that with great places to eat, interesting galleries, beautiful beaches and cheap beer and you have a pretty perfect vacation spot.

To get here you will need to fly into the San Jose Del Cabo Airport and either rent a car or hire a taxi. It is more cost efficient to rent a car and the SJD airport has numerous car rental agencies to choose from. The highway from Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos is apparently the most dangerous road in Mexico, so make sure you are prepared to focus on the journey ahead. If you are tired after your flight, spend a night in Cabo San Lucas and head out the next day refreshed and ready to enter the madness that is Mexican driving.

Once you arrive in Todos Santos, you will find that there are numerous places to stay as well as some truly great places to eat. Be advised that most of Baja California Sur has been affected by the influx of foreign money, so prices are higher than those found in mainland Mexico but they are less expensive that Cabo. That being said, depending on the time of year you travel, here you might be able to negotiate lower room costs, especially if you are planning on a longer-term stay.

Where to Stay: Short -Term
Don't be surprised to find the hotels in Todos Santos starting at about $45US a night for pretty basic accommodations. The Maria Bonita Hotel, located at the corner of Colegio Militar and Hidalgo, offers clean rooms with hot showers for around $50US per night. The couple who manage the hotel are very friendly and will happily encourage all of your Spanish speaking attempts. Be warned this hotel is located on a main street so it can be quite loud at night. There also happens to be a laundromat below the hotel which also contributes to the noise by running at all hours of the day and night.

Continue reading No Wrong Turns: Accommodations and Restaurants in Todos Santos

No Wrong Turns: Accommodations and Restaurants in Todos Santos originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Lesson in Mexican Gestures

Kelsey Mulyk — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Mexico, No Wrong Turns

We are slowly starting to feel relatively comfortable in Mexico: things don't seem so unusual, and both of us are starting to notice subtle things. Well...if you can call gestures in Mexico subtle.

Chins tilting, cupped palms, and a version of the "OK" sign are only a handful of the gestures that I have noticed in Mexico. I wanted to find out what they mean, so we had our our friend, Iker (a Federali turned lawyer), help clarify the meanings. He was also nice enough to pose for photos.

Here are a few gestures you might come across in Mexico:

Hurry Up!
This gesture, shown by rubbing the forefinger and thumb together, does not mean money in Mexico, it means you need to get moving!
Expensive
Holding the thumb and forefinger up with the back of the hand to the viewer indicates that something is expensive. You'll see husbands making this gesture to their wives in the markets or other shopping venues.
Cheapskate
If you are haggling with someone and you notice someone else nearby tapping their bent elbow consider yourself insulted. Tapping on the elbow means "stingy" or "cheap" in Mexico.
Cunning
You should watch out for someone who is "colmilludo", which loosely translates to cunning or crafty. This is indicated by tapping one's eyeteeth which are called "colmillos" in Spanish. This gesture refers to someone that is always looking out for himself. Iker told us that it is used both positively and negatively it just depends on the context -- but I got the feeling that this is rarely used as a compliment.
Asshole
Yup...the one gesture you need to know the most since it resembles the Western "OK" sign. It is formed by touching the thumb and forefinger together creating a very small circle. This is extremely rude and never used to someone's face. See the gallery below to check out our friend Iker who kindly modeled all the gestures for us...even the rude ones.
OK
As mentioned above the "OK" sign is the same here as at home. Just make sure that circle you make isn't too small!
Lazy
The gesture for lazy is a cupped palm facing upwards, like you are holding something heavy. One or both hands can be used in this gesture. This is highly inappropriate because it refers to lifting "huevos" (which is Mexican slang for testicles). Basically the meaning behind this gesture is that the owner's "balls" are so big and heavy that he can't get up!
What's up?
People will greet you with this gesture which is often just tilting the chin up or tilting the chin up with palms upturned and a shrug. It means "What's happening?" but you will also see it used as a general greeting. I have found even the youngest kids know this gesture and use it in replace of a verbal greeting.

Gallery: Mexican Gestures: What do they mean?

It might take awhile at first to recognize these cultural cues but once you have an idea of what to look for you will see them used all over Mexico. Gestures tend to vary from place to place so it's probably best to use them when you are absolutely certain you know what they mean...after all, calling someone an asshole when you meant to say "OK" might not go over so well.

"No Wrong Turns" chronicles Kelsey and her husband's road trip -- in real time -- from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.

A Lesson in Mexican Gestures originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mexico's Green Angels: Your Road Trip Saviors!

Kelsey Mulyk — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Learning, North America, Mexico, Transportation, No Wrong Turns

Imagine you are driving happily along in Mexico, taking in the view, bopping along to some tunes, and smiling at how perfect your road trip is going. Then you notice a small noise: it gets louder and, with panic setting in, you pull over, let the car cool down and then try to start it up again to no avail. One look around confirms that you are broken down in the middle of nowhere on a desolate Mexican highway. Now what?

This situation has played over in my head since we arrived with our own car in Mexico. Breaking down in a city or town is one thing, breaking down in the middle of a deserted Mexican highway is a completely different story. We had one close call a few weeks ago when we sputtered into town after spending a couple hours surfing. We pulled into the local supermarket, got out of the car and watched as the car's fan belt promptly fell off. We were lucky that it happened in town and that a mechanic was located only three minutes away. What if it had happened on the highway hours from town? Fortunately the Mexican government provides a "heavenly" service for motorists in distress.

Continue reading Mexico's Green Angels: Your Road Trip Saviors!

Mexico's Green Angels: Your Road Trip Saviors! originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Minding your Manners in Mexico

Kelsey Mulyk — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, North America, Mexico, No Wrong Turns

Being polite is the best thing you can do in Mexico to ensure good service and to also undo those nasty rumors that Canadians and Americans are generally rude and want everything "right now!"

In our time here we have learned a few tips that have made our lives easier while living and traveling in Mexico. As with all countries, making the effort to be polite will always work in your favor. Mexicans are very friendly people and are more than willing to assist you with whatever you need. However, being demanding, disrespectful and causing a scene are all great ways to not only lose whatever help you might have received but also furthers the unfortunate stereotype that all foreigners are impolite.

Some things to keep in mind when you explore Mexico:

Always Greet People First
Always greet whomever you want to speak to with "Buenos Dias" (Good morning), "Buenas Tardes" (Good Afternoon) or "Buenas Noches" (Good Evening). It is customary to greet staff when you enter a store and to acknowledge them on your way out. If you launch into a tirade about what you want without a proper greeting you can expect mediocre service--Mexicans find this type of behavior extremely rude.

Shake Hands and Pucker Up
Like some European countries it is customary to shake hands (for men) or kiss cheeks (this only applies to women) whenever you greet your Mexican friends. Men usually shake hands, though the Baja has some local handshakes which have a few flashy add-ons. Women are not included in the fancy handshakes -- I asked a gentleman why he didn't high-five me and he look absolutely appalled that I would even consider it. So ladies, get ready to kiss a lot of cheeks. Surprisingly, for a culture full of machismo, bone-crushing handshakes are considered impolite, a light grip is more than adequate.

Remember to Ask for the Bill
Tom and I sat for ages in a café waiting for the server to realize we were ready to go. We finally asked for "la cuenta" (the bill) and quickly left the restaurant complaining of the poor service. A friend of ours enlightened us to the fact that it is considered rude to bring the bill to the table if it has not yet been requested. Instead of rushing you out of the restaurant, the servers give you time to relax and enjoy your meal, quite a change from Canada where the staff tend to push you out the door so they can serve more customers. Whenever you are ready to leave just nicely ask for the bill.

Address People Using their Titles
Titles are a huge deal in Mexico. "Señor", "Señora" and "Señorita" all show respect and it is best to use them until the person you are speaking with indicates otherwise. Education is highly regarded and it is a good idea to address people by these titles as well, "Doctor(a)", "Ingeniero" (engineer) and "Profesor(a)" (professor)) are some titles you may come across. If you are a university grad you can always introduce yourself as "Licenciado(a)" in formal situations.

Say Adios to your Personal Bubble
Mexicans tend to stand close when they are talking to you. This can take some getting used to but whatever you do try not to step back, it is considered offensive and gives the impression that you don't want to be near that person.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Overall, the best thing you can do in Mexico is to be respectful to everyone. From taxi drivers to business executives you need to make sure you treat everyone graciously. Those travelers who make the effort to be courteous and polite will experience better service, lots of smiles and a much better reception when traveling in Mexico.

"No Wrong Turns" chronicles Kelsey and her husband's road trip -- in real time -- from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.

Minding your Manners in Mexico originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to spend your time in Todos Santos, Mexico

Kelsey Mulyk — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Mexico, Ecotourism, Nightlife, No Wrong Turns

Todos Santos, once Baja's sugarcane capital, is a small town located about an hour outside of Cabo San Lucas. Known for its laid back vibe, great surfing and large artisan community, this small pueblo has managed to retain some authenticity in spite of the huge growth of tourism here in the last 15 years.

We chose to settle here for a few months so we could complete a work project before continuing on our drive. When we were looking for a place to stay we knew that a city like Cabo San Lucas was not for us, but realized the benefits of being close to a bigger city. With Todos Santos located only an hour away from Cabo, it was pretty much the perfect fit. So far it has been great; it's easy to work here and, for a relatively small town, there is quite a bit to do. Those who prefer activity packed vacations will probably prefer to only spend a day or two here. But for the more laid back traveler who prefers to mosey through their holiday time Todos Santos offers a great mix of activities and allows for ample down time.

Here is what you can do in Todos Santos:

Gallery: Around Todos Santos

Continue reading How to spend your time in Todos Santos, Mexico

How to spend your time in Todos Santos, Mexico originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: Skip Cabo and Head to Todos Santos for a Unique Baja Experience

Kelsey Mulyk — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Mexico, No Wrong Turns

About an hour north of the cruise ships, the huge gleaming hotels and the Cabo San Lucas party crowd lies the small town of Todos Santos. If you are looking for a place to relax and unwind, minus the deafening party beats found in Cabo, this little town is it. It offers everything from amazing surf breaks and great restaurants to a lively social scene made up of Mexicans, ex-pats, old school hippies and those who just came and never left. Todos Santos offers a much different "Baja" experience than Cabo.

Tom and I ended up stumbling onto Todos Santos accidentally. Fueled by the need to start the work project we brought with us, we released a flurry of emails to many vacation rentals places in the Baja area. We knew that we didn't want to live in Cabo San Lucas but realized the benefits of being near a larger city. Considering most of the replies came from Todos Santos we figured it would be a great place to start looking.

Continue reading No Wrong Turns: Skip Cabo and Head to Todos Santos for a Unique Baja Experience

No Wrong Turns: Skip Cabo and Head to Todos Santos for a Unique Baja Experience originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: The Pros and Cons of Taking your Work Traveling

Kelsey Mulyk — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Learning, Business, North America, South America, Mexico, No Wrong Turns

Three weeks before Tom and I left on this trip, a work opportunity came up allowing us to work remotely from Mexico. At first we weren't too sure whether it was the best idea and initially we declined the offer, but after a little convincing and our joint realization that earning while traveling could keep us on the road longer we decided to go ahead and agreed to take the contract. It seemed too good to pass up.

Working while traveling is much more feasible now than it has ever been before. Laptops, teeny tiny portable hard-drives, the expansion of wireless internet, email, online storage facilities and companies like Skype have made connecting around the world easy. Some people (like Gadling blogger Tynan) have chosen to forgo the office and squeeze all they need, their life and office, into their backpacks. To most people this sounds like "living the dream" and although it is hard to complain when you live 10 minutes from the beach, working while traveling isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Here are some positives and negatives of traveling with your work:

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No Wrong Turns: The Pros and Cons of Taking your Work Traveling originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 May 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: Protect yourself from food poisoning

Kelsey Mulyk — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: Food and Drink, Mexico, Travel Health, No Wrong Turns

You know that feeling: the one where the contents in your stomach churn and before you can say "I think I ate something bad," you are already running for the bathroom. Fun, right?

Every time you get on the plane, bus or (in our case) in the car and travel to another country you expose yourself to the likelihood of coming down with some sort of stomach illness. Call it what you like (and we all know there are some pretty descriptive names out there) but the experience is the same and it flat out stinks.

Last week I was unlucky enough to eat something disagreeable (I believe a locally made tamale was the culprit) and spent a rather uncomfortable and feverish 24 hours trying to recover. I have been pretty lucky in the past to avoid food poisoning but I knew I was in for a rough time as I was with Tom when he succumbed to food poisoning in India a few years ago. And it really did live up to it's horrible nature.

Generally my rules to avoid food poisoning/unhappy stomach are as follows:

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No Wrong Turns: Protect yourself from food poisoning originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 13 May 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: Snakes and Spiders and Scorpions...Oh My!

Kelsey Mulyk — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Learning, Mexico, No Wrong Turns

Traveling allows us to experience many new things: unique cultures, languages, food and wildlife. I am always up to experience it all but it's the creepy crawlies that fall under the "wildlife" category that I'd prefer not to encounter--no matter how hard I try to avoid bugs they somehow always know where to find me.

The other night, just before I was about to hop into bed, I happened to notice something move on the floor below the bathroom sink. My first instinct was SPIDER! and I quickly told Tom, my resident bug catcher, that he might have some work to do. On closer inspection I realized that it wasn't a spider it was instead a rather cranky looking SCORPION! Needless to say that got the bug-catcher moving. We (he) caught it, let it go outside and then each of us performed a fantastic bug dance.

You won't just find beaches in Baja Mexico but an arid desert as well. And this desert is home to a few creatures we'd all like to avoid. Here are a few critters to watch out for in Baja California Sur, how to minimize any encounters and what to do if things get "a little too close for comfort."

Continue reading No Wrong Turns: Snakes and Spiders and Scorpions...Oh My!

No Wrong Turns: Snakes and Spiders and Scorpions...Oh My! originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 06 May 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: Choosing a Car for an International Road Trip

Kelsey Mulyk — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: South America, Mexico, Transportation, No Wrong Turns

In the initial planning stage, we had a hard time finding recommendations about what kind of car would be the best for this type of trip, so we had to muddle through on our own and hope that whatever we chose would be hardy enough to withstand a year long (maybe more) driving trip.

Choosing a car can be a bit difficult -- you don't want to stick out too much, but you also need a car in good, solid condition that will be able to tolerate the demanding roads and sweltering heat.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a car for a long road trip of this nature:

Make of Car

Mexico seems to have an abundance of Fords, Toyotas, and Volkswagens. But we've also spotted plenty of Isuzu Troopers, Land Rovers and Jeeps. Some of the most popular models are the Ford Bronco and standard Toyota truck, which we were told are some of the easiest cars to fix. Our VW, a 1991 Golf, has done well, but finding parts has proved to be an issue (at least in the Baja) -- something we did not anticipate.

A Ford truck or SUV seems to be the way to go. Whichever car you do choose, try to pick one with a relatively simple engine, this way if you do require a mechanic's help they should be able to get you back on the road as soon as possible.

Continue reading No Wrong Turns: Choosing a Car for an International Road Trip

No Wrong Turns: Choosing a Car for an International Road Trip originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: How to Surf, by a Wannabe Surfer

Kelsey Mulyk — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Surfing, Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, No Wrong Turns

I believe the time people put in working, running errands, going to the gym and all the other daily stuff we feel we have to do starts to take its toll on how we live and think. This is a big reason why Tom and I decided to pack up and leave for a little while...to put things in perspective, do a bit of work on the road and to surf (ok...learn to surf for me).

My surfing experience is limited to three times...once in New Zealand, once in Australia and one time in Costa Rica where an encounter with a jellyfish put my surfing attempts on hold. But now, since we have stopped in the Baja and there are some good learning beaches, I have decided to dedicate a few months to surfing, though the extent of my abilities so far is to stand up on my board. I'm working on it.

A few things beginner surfers need to know and remember: it is not as easy as it looks. No matter how athletic you are, expect to fall over and over and over again; practice makes perfect. Coordination, decent physical fitness and sheer determination (stubbornness...call it what you will) to get back up and keep trying are ideal traits if you want to learn how to surf.

Continue reading No Wrong Turns: How to Surf, by a Wannabe Surfer

No Wrong Turns: How to Surf, by a Wannabe Surfer originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: Mexican Plant a Natural Aphrodisiac and Sleep Aid?

Kelsey Mulyk — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Food and Drink, Mexico, No Wrong Turns

Looking for something to cure all your aches, pains, stomach issues and increase your virility? Damiana could be your answer.

Damiana is a plant native to Baja California Sur, Central America and the West Indies. The leaves from the plant are reputed to be a natural aphrodisiac as well as a treatment for health issues such as indigestion and insomnia. The Mexican population has been aware of this indigenous plant and its health benefits for years. It is only recently that it has made its way into the western market.

This herbal supplement is commonly found as a tea and as a liqueur. A local shop owner told me that the majority of people use it as a sleeping aid though it is often marketed as a "love potion" (sex really does sell everything). She offered us a taste of the Damiana liqueur, which sort of tasted equivalent to the mouthwash Scope. Not bad, kind of minty and oddly sweet...I bet it packs one mean hangover.

The liqueur comes in a bottle shaped like a very voluptuous woman, a rather amusing homage to its reputed "benefits". Taking large amounts of Damiana is said to "induce a mild sense of euphoria". Mexican legend says that the first margarita was made with Damiana not tequila.

Along with treating insomnia, the herb is widely used to treat nervousness, weakness, exhaustion, poor circulation, colds/flu, constipation, depression, fatigue, and headaches. There are rumors that it increases the male sperm count and helps to balance hormones in women. The Mayans used it to treat asthma and as a body cleansing herb.

Not only can you drink Damiana, you can smoke it as well. I wonder if this is where the "euphoric effects" come in?

Out of curiosity we bought the tea, which has a similar aroma to that of chamomile and mint and is usually served with large amounts of sugar. The warm evenings have been making it difficult to sleep so I had a cup of tea just before bed the other night to see whether it would help. I totally crashed and woke up feeling rather "spacey" the following day. I am not too sure whether this effect was due to the tea or just too much time in the sun but either way I did sleep remarkably well although I did have some weird dreams.

If you are curious and want to try Damiana for ummmm...whatever "health benefits" you are looking for: click here for the liqueur or here for the tea.

"No Wrong Turns" chronicles Kelsey and her husband's road trip -- in real time -- from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.

No Wrong Turns: Mexican Plant a Natural Aphrodisiac and Sleep Aid? originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: Off-road Race in the Baja

Kelsey Mulyk — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Mexico, Transportation, No Wrong Turns

Take a bunch of hardcore off-road racers, support teams, mechanics, motorbikes, ATVs, a host of other racing vehicles and throw them all into the Baja desert...what do you get? You get the Baja 1000.

Last week we ran into a guy at a local bar who competes in this race. He gave us a quick run-down of what it includes: the race begins in Ensenada, though it has started in Tijuana and Mexicali, and ends in La Paz or Cabo San Lucas. There are tons of different vehicle categories from four wheelers, which range from Baja Bugs (VW Bugs on steroids) and mini trucks, to motorcycles, which can vary from 125cc to 250cc or more. The guy who we chatted with swears by his customized bike and, after competing twelve times as well as sustaining numerous injuries (he wanted to show us all of his battle-wounds which we politely declined), didn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

The Baja 1000 began in 1967. Initially the race was 849 miles (the 1000 is a bit misleading as the course tends to vary yearly) and the winning team finished the race in less than 28 hours. These days teams are finishing under 26 hours, an astounding time to me since it took us about 3.5 days to get from Tijuana to La Paz and we were on the main road. These guys drive all day and night in attempt to win the race. The course consists of rocks, dry lake-beds, mountain passes, paved roads and a lot of desert scenery. Mechanical problems and flipped vehicles only reinforce the fact that this is a brutal course and it's because of this that only half of the teams are actually able to finish the race.

Competitors usually enter as a team where they take turns riding so it is more like a relay race. Team members often carry a toolkit that can be used in case of a breakdown. They ride to a designated stop and then switch drivers after 6 hours (about 300km) of racing. There are some who attempt this race solo but they are few and far between.

According to our Baja 1000 source, competing in the race isn't cheap. The racing vehicles cost a fair bit, tack on the add-ons and time spent customizing them and the price just keeps on rising. Fuel, pit teams and extra gear add to the overall cost. Geez, not only does it cost a lot of money, there is a fifty percent chance of not finishing...I had to ask why they keep competing, our rider guy (about eight beers later) just replied, "It's just awesome man!" Well said.

For more information on the Baja 1000 click here and here.

"No Wrong Turns" chronicles Kelsey and her husband's road trip -- in real time -- from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.

No Wrong Turns: Off-road Race in the Baja originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: How to Not Look like a "Gringo" in Mexico

Kelsey Mulyk — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:40:00 EST

Filed under: Gear, Mexico, No Wrong Turns

When traveling I prefer to lay kind of low and do my best to not draw too much attention to myself. This doesn't seem to be the case with other travelers visiting Mexico. This is mainly due to their questionable wardrobe choices. Years of watching "What Not to Wear", combined with my love for all things fashion-related, made it easy for me to pick out some of the worst faux pas in "gringo" fashion. Though I think these clothing disasters would be hard to miss!

Shallow or not, what you wear can make you a target when you are traveling. So I give you "What Not to Wear: The Gringo Edition" also known as "How to not be inconspicuous in Mexico." Please avoid the following:

Wearing a fannypack

Wearing this sad sack of fashion anywhere warrants a citation from the fashion and tourist police. But sporting one in Mexico pretty much screams, "Here is all my money, credit cards and other valuables! Please come rip me off!" This just makes you walking target for theft. Seriously, what's wrong with a money belt worn under your clothes?

Dressing like a hippy

I swear anywhere you travel be it Mexico, India or SE Asia you are bound to come across so-called hippies. Here is the thing...none of the locals dress like this, so these dreadlock-loving, patchouli-smelling kids look very out of place. The downside of dressing like you rolled out of the '60s is that, to the Mexicans, you look unclean. Mexico is relatively conservative and it isn't unusual to see the locals looking amazingly fresh, in a clean shirt and pressed pants, in ninety-degree heat. Looking presentable warrants respect and better service.

Wearing booty shorts

This skanky look is a detriment for all women travelers. This look only furthers the unfortunate belief that western women are easy conquests and encourages the charming catcalls and hissing from the men. Rule of thumb, keep skimpy clothes limited to the beach otherwise keep it covered to prevent unwanted attention from the male population.

I'd be interested to hear any other tips on what not wear while traveling.

For more terrible tourist fashions and a good laugh click here.

"No Wrong Turns" chronicles Kelsey and her husband's road trip -- in real time -- from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin

No Wrong Turns: How to Not Look like a "Gringo" in Mexico originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: Coca-Cola Removes Toxin from Mexican Drink

Kelsey Mulyk — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Food and Drink, Mexico, News, No Wrong Turns

According to statistics from the Coca-Cola Company, Mexico consumes the most Coca Cola per capita in the world. I am not a huge fan of soft drinks in general, but when traveling my intake of them often goes up due to unreliable drinking water and juices made with questionable ice. Diet drinks, like Coke Zero, freak me out with all those weird additives listed in their ingredients, but many people prefer these drinks to the original...even though they have proven to be dangerous.

Last month, Coca Cola had to remove the artificial sweetener sodium cyclamate from the Mexican Coke Zero formula. The sweetener was banned from the US in 1969 because it appeared to increase the odds of developing bladder cancer in rats during testing. Oddly enough, sodium cyclamate is readily found in many Canadian (such as Sugar Twin) and European products.

The sodium cyclamate was replaced with aspartame and other fake sweeteners, because they are undoubtedly so much better for you. Coke refuses to admit that the sodium cyclamate was removed due to the danger it posed to consumers and instead said that this alteration will make Coke Zero taste more like the original Coca-Cola Classic.

The director of communications for Coca-Cola Mexico stated that Coke Zero has sold extremely well since being introduced the Mexican market over a year ago despite the controversy over the sodium cyclamate. How could Coca-Cola not do well in a country where the people consumed over 500 Coke products per person last year!

Coca-Cola even launched a new pro-Coke Zero campaign to support this new version with a slogan that reads, "Everything can get better."

I think "better" would be removing all the artificial sweeteners in their products...I think I'll be sticking with the Coke Classic or better yet, bottled water.

"No Wrong Turns" chronicles Kelsey and her husband's road trip -- in real time -- from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.

No Wrong Turns: Coca-Cola Removes Toxin from Mexican Drink originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: Surfers Give Cars Away in Baja Road Race

Kelsey Mulyk — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Surfing, Mexico, No Wrong Turns

A few weeks ago I overheard a bunch of locals chatting about a group of American surfers who drove down to the tip of Baja California Sur and gave away everything they came with including their cars. I decided to do a bit of research and find out what this was all about.

A group of guys, who affectionately refer to their vacation time together as "TGT" (The Guys Trip) decided to switch up their rather typical surf vacations for a new kind adventure -- a trip that would jar them out of their middle-class comfort zones and, as they put it, "require balls." The trip was dubbed "The Baja 3000".

"The Baja 3000" challenged the surfers to choose a teammate and a vehicle that would get them to the tip of the Baja in seven days. Each team had a budget of $3000 which had to cover the purchase of a vehicle, car insurance (US and Mexican), permits, food, fuel, toll charges, and their accommodation. The maximum budget that could be allotted to the car purchase was $1500, leaving the other half to cover the remaining expenses. I want to know where they found decent cars to drive in Mexico for $1500!

As if that wasn't already enough of a challenge, they created a complicated contest, based on a point system, with a list of activities that had to be completed along the way. Each team was given a camera and film as well as journal to document their contest accomplishments. Points were given based on the activities completed. One of the top ways to earn points was to have village children paint the car (earn 5000 points). One way to lose a serious amount of points was to receive jail time (lose 100, 000 points...though I think losing points would be the least of your worries).

They even had a "Baja 3000" trophy along with a prize for the winning team. The prize involved never having to buy beer for the rest of the trip and well-deserved bragging rights.

And, though the trip was all in fun, these guys also wanted to give back to the community where they have spent dozens of years surfing. Teams donated cars, school supplies, books and much more to low income families as well as to local organizations like Classroom on Wheels and Communidad Biblica de Cabo San Lucas.

Sounds like a fun and socially responsible vacation to me...I wonder where they will head to next year.

Check out their website for more information.

"No Wrong Turns" chronicles Kelsey and her husband's road trip -- in real time -- from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.

No Wrong Turns: Surfers Give Cars Away in Baja Road Race originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: SpringBreak '09 in the Toilet?

Kelsey Mulyk — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: April Fools Posts

Spring Break in Cabo San Lucas has been enticing college students for years with its beaches, surf and, of course, the infamous bars like El Squid Roe. Now, Spring Break 2009 is on the verge of being canceled due to the ill effects previous Spring Breaks have had on the Baja water table.

Mexican officials are reporting that the water table has been negatively affected due to increased water consumption during this holiday week. Apparently, the worst culprit is toilet flushing. Mexican scientists and environmentalists are concerned that a massive water shortage, due to huge amounts of flushing, will be imminent if the number of Spring Break attendees increases next year and they are lobbying the local government to cancel the event altogether.

Don't fret yet, Cabo-lovers! Due to the uproar from the local tourism association about the subsequent loss of income, the Cabo San Lucas municipal government is working on a plan to please both the environmentalists and the tourism workers.

The potential plan is to involve a toilet-flushing schedule. Specified hotels will be given the go ahead to flush at certain times of the day while others will have to wait to flush until their appointed time. The details of what hotels and when is still under great debate as hotels vie for top flush times. Miguel Suarez, a spokesperson for the municipal government, was quoted earlier this week saying, "We definitely don't want to cancel Spring Break 2009 and plans are currently underway to schedule the water usage, particularly from toilet flushes, during this event. We have top project managers and local environmentalists working with a number of hotels in the area to work out the Fair Flush Schedule."

It's hard to say whether this so-called "Fair Flush Schedule" will agree with the hotels or how next year's Cabo San Lucas party crowd will react to being told when they can and cannot use the facilities. Local hotels are already stocking up on emergency buckets to be left in all hotel rooms and there have been rumors of hotels forming alliances with port-a-potty distributors in the area.

So the question is will Spring Break 2009 get tanked?

No Wrong Turns: SpringBreak '09 in the Toilet? originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Wrong Turns: Emos Attacked in Mexico and Chile

Kelsey Mulyk — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Mexico, Video, News, No Wrong Turns

According to NME, "emo" kids in Mexico and Chile have recently been attacked by other music subcultures -- punks, metalheads and even the rockabilly set.

"Emo" refers to a youth subculture which involves a punk-meets-geek approach to fashion, angst-driven "emotional" music, and a general depressive nature. It is often regarded as a watered down version of the punk movement, much to the emo kid's dismay.

Daniel Hernandez, of LA Weekly, who has been covering the recent attacks, blames the hostility towards the emos on two things: the fact that Mexicans generally regard the emo movement as a joke, and that a certain Televisa personality, Kristoff, recently spewed out his emo hatred on national television. This clip includes a few choice swear words in English. (It is in Spanish but you will get the gist of it.)

Obviously there is a lot of controversy about the attacks and both sides are responding by looking for someone to blame. Some have chosen to blame the lack of opportunities for the youth stating, "in Latin America, there are nearly 30 million young people who have no opportunity to study or work," and so they are turning to drugs, crime or even taking it out on those not directly involved.

Hostility towards the emo subculture in Mexico has hit chat rooms, message boards and social networking sites. On March 7th in Queretaro, a state in central Mexico, around 800 youths gathered in the city's Centro Historico district looking to pick a fight with the emo kids who regularly hangout there. Judging by the videos circulating on YouTube, they certainly found the fight they were looking for. The following week the same thing happened in Mexico City, check out the video below to take a look.

When asked why the recent violence has occurred, a young emo guy said he believed it was because the punks and metal-heads felt that emos were 'posers'. But, basically from the news I can find (in Spanish mostly) there doesn't seem to be any clear indication of why this specific group has been targeted.

Kristoff has apparently called off the attack but whether this will quell the violence remains to be seen. The Mexican government wants to point the finger at someone and should Televisa be held accountable, Kristoff might be feeling a little emotional himself.

"No Wrong Turns" chronicles Kelsey and her husband's road trip -- in real time -- from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.

No Wrong Turns: Emos Attacked in Mexico and Chile originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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