INTRODUCTION
Bienvenidos,
mis amigos! Welcome, my friends! You are about to
sit at my kitchen table for an informative discussion concerning
a topic that mutually interests us. You will ask me questions
about living in Baja California and I will answer them as
succinctly as possible. My answers are generally objective
but some are subjective according to my personal perceptions
and opinions. They will be sprinkled with anecdotes from
my personal journal, so be prepared to taste life in Baja
California through my eyes as I experience it. I will also
introduce you to some of my friends. You will be able to
view Baja California through their eyes as well. I've tried
to anticipate your questions but if I've missed something
important, please give me feedback. I'm open to discussion
and will revise my perceptions or answers as needed.
The purpose of our discussion is twofold. The first is to
be a resource of practical knowledge concerning life in
Baja California, including Tijuana and Ensenada with concentration
on the Rosarito Beach area. If you're interested in another
area of Mexico, you'll find the answers to many questions
applicable, so don't feel you have to leave my kitchen table.
Many of my answers will help you too. The first few months
of living in a foreign country offer challenges of a cultural
change. In this discussion, I'm your guide. I will patiently
do my part in the discussion. I hope you will do yours,
which is to not only have an open mind to receive the information
but to have an open heart to feel the warmth and beauty
of the culture we're discussing. If I help to foster a love
and appreciation which causes your heart to beat in simpatica
or harmony with the culture, then I've reached my goal in
taking time to sit at my table to talk to you, my reader.
Salud! We are Paisanos, compatriots,
of two wonderful countries. Let us begin
