Diversity

One of the pleasures for us is our ability to stay put and get to know a place, weather permitting. Ensenada has been a great introduction to Mexico for us. It's the people who really make it interesting. First impressions it's run down, dirty, and loud. Second impression it's a tourist and shipping city with a decent economy, but it's more that these things. It's the diversity of the people that has started to fascinate me these last few days. So full of life and vitality. Eager to help, eager to please. It's a city where strangers will stop on the street and help when it's obvious we are lost and don't speak Spanish. Somehow it works out. Willing to offer directions, or another option, or where to get the best...(fill in the blank). It's a city of proud people. Pride in their food, history, culture, wine, and even their fish. They boast with pride that Ceviche was started here or that Ensenada is the home of the Margarita. They are a conservative people. Men still being gentlemen. Women still being ladies. There are churches abound here, and every denomination. Yesterday on the Malecon there was a group of several hundred Amish singing hymns to the Lord in Spanish. Even within that group there was diversity. Northern European, African, Spanish, Indian and Mestizo. There is also the seedy side of the city. Prostitutes and strippers are all through the tourist section. We've been offered their wares on several occasions (The grocery store I go to passes through that part of town and I move through it as quick as possible). There are the ladies at the food stalls near the fish market claiming each to have the best fish tacos and belittling the tacos of the next stall over. It's a friendly competition and very interesting to watch. The fish mongers themselves do not compete in this way, but are quietly proud of their fish and it's quality and are happy to show you the latest and freshest assortment. Then on Tuesday and Saturday the cruise ships arrive. That's when the chaos ensues. We try not to go out on these days, but it never fails to need some item or another from the market. I'm embarrassed at the way so many Americans behave when they are a guest in another country. Some of the young girls are dressed no better than the prostitutes and many are dressed worse. The young men wearing only shorts and if we are lucky they will have a t-shirt on, but the locals just accept them for their ignorance and know they will be gone in a few hours. They take the time to sell all sorts of Mexican made items to these boisterous holiday makers. Then there are is the cruising community. A mixture of sailing and power boats spread over three marinas. Some passing through (like us), some getting work done on their boats at the yard, and some using this as a base for retirement. They come together in a true spirit of community. We help each other out, and offer information about the place. After even a few weeks we start getting proud of Ensenada. I know several retirees here who couldn't imagine going back to the US or Canada. They also are part of what makes this city to fascinating to me. Our time to move on is coming up quickly, but I now I will miss this diverse and interesting city. I will take a part of it with me and be grateful for even the short glimpse into these wonderful generous, tolerant, pious, and welcoming people.

Fair Winds My Friends!