Articles GGNorth

Sip & Crunch
 Articles, Tijuana, Wine

Wine Without Borders 2025 Brings Baja Energy to Tijuana

Tijuana’s biggest wine party is back. On Saturday, October 11th, 2025, the 4th Festival Wine Without Borders takes over the Campestre Golf Club at 3 pm. This is where Baja wine meets Paso Robles, where food meets music, and where nobody asks grapes for their passport.

Baja shows up strong

More than 40 Baja California wineries will pour over 100 labels, proving our local valleys can hold their own against anyone. Add 30 restaurants serving everything from seafood tostadas to mini burgers, and you’ve got enough food to keep even the “I don’t drink wine” friend happy.

And yes, there’s live music, because swirling your glass looks much better with a rhythm.

Paso Robles crosses the border

This year’s guest region is Paso Robles, California. Expect bold reds and smooth blends. Think of it as a friendly sibling rivalry — but with better glassware.

Organizers explained: “The main goal of the event is to continue promoting the culture of wine to the public on both sides of the border, while also serving as a significant promotional platform for enotourism among national visitors and those from Southern California.”

Smiles Served
#At Baja Terra, food comes with extra love and a grin.

Why this festival is one of a personal favorite

For me, this isn’t just another wine event. It’s one of the best. Why? Because the kitchens aren’t hidden in the back. They’re demonstrative kitchens, where chefs cook in front of you. The food is made with love, and you can tell by the smile of the people serving it. Just ask the team from Baja Terra — last year they made you feel like family.

Pro tip: sign up for the maridaje sessions. You’ll get wine and food pairings with top-quality glasses, turning a sip into a guided trip across flavor country.

The fine print

Tickets are $1,500 pesos. That includes a commemorative glass, tastings, and food samples while supplies last. Attendance is limited, so don’t wait. And sorry — no kids, no pets. This playground is for adults only.

So whether you’re a sommelier who loves to lecture, a weekend warrior with a wine app, or just someone who thinks “oak notes” means drinking outside, this is your festival.

🎟 Tickets: shorturl.at/bJXQj

🍇 Wine Without Borders 2025 — because great wine ignores geography.

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 Articles, Events, Rosarito, Sports, Video

Rosarito’s Ultimate Fun Run: ‘Corre con Don Pisto’ Charity Race for Fitness and Community

Rosarito is lacing up its running shoes — or maybe just its walking shoes — for the first ever Corre con Don Pisto, a community race with a cause that blends exercise, charity, and a splash of local pride.

The press conference introducing the event felt less like a stiff announcement and more like a family reunion. That makes sense, because Don Pisto isn’t just a liquor company; it’s part of the Rosarito DNA. For over 30 years, the brand has been pouring not just drinks, but also steady support into local projects.

This first edition is dedicated to Bernardo Pérez, founder of Don Pisto, who passed away two years ago. Pérez was remembered as a strong, athletic, big-hearted man who rarely turned down an opportunity to help his community. His legacy is now running forward — quite literally — through this race.

The Cause Behind the Course

Proceeds will go to DIF Municipal, specifically to bolster rehabilitation services in Rosarito. Plans include a playful outdoor space for patients beginning the tough process of physical recovery, plus a circuit designed to help restore mobility after injuries. Organizers stressed this is more than just a race: it’s a way to fund hope, therapy, and second chances.

The Route & Rewards

The 5.5 km race kicks off September 7th at 8 a.m., starting and finishing at Don Pisto Castillos on Boulevard Popotla. The route winds through key intersections, with local authorities promising full security, ambulances on site, and traffic control so runners (or walkers, stroller-pushers, and wheelchair participants) can move safely.

Cash prizes are on the line: 3,000 pesos for first place, 2,000 for second, and 1,000 for third, with categories for men, women, and wheelchairs. Registration costs $250 pesos per person and can be done at Don Pisto branches, DIF offices, INDER, or even via WhatsApp if you’re out of town. The first 400 finishers will also score a commemorative medal at the finish line.

A Race for Everyone

Worried you’re not fast enough? Don’t be. As organizers said with a smile, “It’s okay, let’s walk. Bring the stroller, bring the dog, bring the neighbor. The important thing is to show up.”

And yes — because this is Rosarito — the press conference closed with an invitation to enjoy a cold Don Pisto beer. After all, it’s not every day you get to hydrate post-race with the sponsor’s finest brew.

So mark your calendars, Rosarito. Whether you’re sprinting, strolling, or rolling, Corre con Don Pisto is your chance to support the city, honor a local legacy, and maybe even earn a medal. Or at the very least, a well-deserved beer.

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 Articles, Ensenada

Tourists and Locals Celebrate La Misión’s New Bridge

Crossing Without Playing Frogger

Playa La Misión has always been a curious mix. Families set up tents, kids kick soccer balls, and drivers on the scenic highway race past like they’re late for a wedding. For decades, the real danger here wasn’t the surf—it was crossing the road without becoming a hood ornament.

Now, salvation is rising in steel and concrete: a new pedestrian bridge is under construction right across from the beach. Workers started in June, and while the official line says November, some optimists claim October. We’ll believe it when we see it.

The S-Shaped Star

This isn’t your typical boxy overpass. The design has an S-curve, giving La Misión a bridge with a little flair. It’s the kind of project that makes locals whisper, “Wait—are they actually finishing this one?” Considering Baja’s track record of half-built bridges, that alone deserves applause.

Concrete proof that Baja miracles exist.
#S-shaped and stylish—La Misión levels up.

Safer Sand and Surf

La Misión isn’t exactly a swimmer’s paradise. The surf is strong, and lifeguards recommend sticking to volleyball, soccer, or long walks. Camping is popular, and if you want calmer waters, the La Misión river is perfect for kayaking. Add tacos, a few cold beers, and you get the full family recipe.

The missing ingredient? Safe access. Until now, families ran across the highway dodging SUVs and semis. With the new bridge, both locals and tourists finally get a safe way to reach the sand without sprinting like Olympic athletes.

A Win for Everyone

Drivers get fewer near-death surprises, pedestrians get safer crossings, and La Misión gets a touch of dignity. Whether the ribbon gets cut in October or November, this bridge is a small miracle on the scenic highway.

For once, the view won’t just be breathtaking—it’ll also be a little less life-threatening.

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Team Spirit and Big Catches
 Articles, Ensenada, Fishing

Big Fish, Big Prizes at Dos Mares Baja in Ensenada

ENSENADA – Ready to hook half a million pesos? The international sportfishing tournament Dos Mares Baja California drops anchor this weekend in Ensenada.

The Prize Catch

Organized by SEPESCA BC and the Baja Sportfishing Clubs Association, the event promises serious rewards:

  • 200,000 pesos for first place
  • 100,000 pesos for second
  • 60,000 pesos for third
  • 30,000 pesos for Catch and Release champions
  • 10,000 pesos each for best female, child, and captain

And yes, everyone gets a shot at raffles and jackpot categories for surface and bottom fish.

Species in the Spotlight

Surface hunters can bring in swordfish, bigeye tuna, yellowfin, marlin, dorado, wahoo, jacks, bonito, and roosterfish. Bottom contenders include halibut, lingcod, cabrilla, pargo, and cochito. In Catch and Release, only the heavy hitters count: gulf grouper, broomtail grouper, and giant sea bass.

Weekend Agenda

  • Friday, Aug. 29: Registration 2–6:30 pm at Monumento al Pescador. Opening and captain’s meeting at 7:15 pm.
  • Saturday, Aug. 30: Boats head out at 6 am. Weigh-in 2–4 pm at the malecón. Awards at 7:15 pm back at the monument.
Showoff at the Dock
#That grin says it all—worth every hour under the Baja sun.

Beyond the Rod and Reel

SEPESCA’s Alma Rosa García Juárez credits local maritime and port authorities, ASIPONA Ensenada, and CONAPESCA for making the event possible. The tournament also reels in tourism revenue. Hotels, restaurants, and tackle shops all get a welcome bump as anglers flood the city.

Why It Matters

The Dos Mares isn’t just about bragging rights and prize money. It’s about tradition, community, and proving to your friends that the one that got away actually didn’t.

For details, visit bajasport.fishing/dosmares or call +52 646 172 3080 (ext. 3264 and 3318).

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Contramar Fest 2025 Press Crew
 Articles, Events, San Quintin

San Quintín Welcomes Contramar Fest with Wine and Sunset Magic

San Quintín is ready for the fourth edition of Contramar Fest. On September 6 at Playa San Ramón, Vicente Guerrero, visitors will enjoy seafood, wine, beer, and one legendary sunset.

Local Leaders Toast the Event

During the press conference, Baja California’s Secretary of Tourism, Zaida Luz López Sánchez, praised the festival. “It celebrates our identity, fuels the economy, and shows the strength of our cuisine,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ana Lourdes Lomelí Morales, CEO of the festival, stressed its original goal. Since 2021, Contramar has worked to spotlight San Quintín’s food, art, and traditions.


Contramar Fest swag lands on Francisco Ortega’s desk—because every Tourism Director deserves more than paperwork.

Sea, Land, and Plenty of Wine

This year’s menu features clams, oysters, lobster, and ceviches. Guests can pair them with wines like Prestigio de Becerra, from the valley’s first winery, and Vino Love, courtesy of Luis Alberto Lomelí Morales.

In addition, Anays Naranjo Araiza of Comercializadora Jimnar confirmed that local co-ops will supply fresh seafood. She also revealed their craft beer, created to match the region’s catch.

Music, Dancing, and That Sunset

The entertainment is just as tempting. Contramar Fest promises five hours of live music. The lineup shifts from DJs to norteño to dance beats. “Smile, taste, drink, and dance,” remains the official motto.

As a result, visitors can sip, dance, and then watch the sun set in style.

Beyond the Festival

Maricela Valladolid, VP of Proturismo San Quintín, said Contramar is part of a larger push to promote the town. Likewise, Francisco Alfredo Ortega Gamboa, municipal tourism director, explained that it now joins events like the Almejazo, Langostazo, Fiestas de la Vendimia and Agrofest. Both already attract fans from California, Arizona, and across Baja.

If You Go

  • 📍 Playa San Ramón, Vicente Guerrero, San Quintín
  • 📅 September 6, 2025 – from 3:00 p.m.
  • 🎟️ Tickets at Casa Magnolia, Ensenada, or @Contramar_fest on Instagram
  • 💲 $500–$600 pesos

Organizers also confirmed safety measures. Finally, they encouraged visitors to extend their stay. Options include missions, lagoons, volcanic hikes, and stargazing in San Pedro Mártir.

Bonus for Readers

Your GGNorth reporter walked away with a Sauvignon Blanc 2020 “Prestigio de Becerra”. The label even has a radar chart—stat fans will understand the thrill. Also gifted: a Jimnar Beer “El Chute Ámbar.”

Curious about the taste? Drop a comment, and I may share my review. It might even spark the next “Sabor Patrol” adventure.

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Mapping the Night Ahead
 Articles

First Night Census in Tijuana Brings Hope and Data

Counting People, Not Problems

While most of us slept, more than 300 workers hit Tijuana’s streets. Their mission: the city’s first-ever night census of people living on the streets. The goal is simple. Who are they, where are they, and how many are there? If you want to plan the future, you better know the present.

How They Did It

The effort came under Governor Marina del Pilar’s orders and tied into the national program led by President Claudia Sheinbaum. A command center buzzed at Delegación Centro, hosting federal, state, and city officials. On the ground, teams spread across the Zona Norte, Zona Centro, La Mesa, Playas de Tijuana, and San Antonio de los Buenos.

Each group had staff from health, social welfare, and public safety. They carried supplies, clipboards, and enough coffee to fuel an army. Their task: record everyone they could find, all night long.

Words from the Top

Beatriz Olivares from the National Center for Crime Prevention put it this way:

“We worked together to close the gap of inequality.”

State Secretary Alfredo Álvarez Cárdenas said the census created a reliable database to connect people with health, shelter, ID, and jobs. Mayor Ismael Burgueño went a step further, calling it “an act of empathy” and a way to humanize those often ignored.

Census Squad Selfie
#Mayor Burgueño and team pause the headcount for a headshot. Proof that even serious nights need a smile.

What Comes Next?

That’s the big question. The census gives Tijuana a snapshot. Now comes the real challenge—turning numbers into action. That means opening shelters, boosting mental health care, and linking people to jobs. The hard part isn’t counting. The hard part is following through.

Learning from Los Angeles

Other cities already do this. In Los Angeles, volunteers conduct the “Homeless Count” every January. Thousands walk neighborhoods for three nights, logging who sleeps on sidewalks, in tents, or in cars. They repeat it yearly, because the situation changes fast. Housing costs, migration, and addiction all reshape the crisis.

The lesson for Tijuana? One night isn’t enough. A census is useful only if it becomes routine, transparent, and followed by action.

We’ll Be Watching

This first night census is a start, not a finish line. The next step is clear: show the results and act on them. GGNorth will keep an eye on whether this late-night headcount sparks real change or ends up filed under “good intentions.”

Because yes, the city finally counted its invisibles. Now we’ll see if it can give them more than a number.

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 Articles, Ensenada, Public Security, Video

“Enough Is Enough”: How the Cartels Choke the Seafood Lifeline of Baja California

We pride ourselves on bringing you No Bad News. That’s the deal. But some truths demand an exception. Today, we echo a voice too long suppressed by fear—and we refuse to let it be silenced.

They call it derecho de piso—literally a “floor right,” but let’s be clear: it’s nothing more than protection money, cartel extortion in its rawest form. For decades, Ensenada’s seafood industry—from abalone harvesters to family-run marisquerías—has been strangled by this invisible tax.

Dark waters run deeper than we thought. Cartels like Sinaloa and CJNG don’t just threaten—they control every link of the chain. They underpay the catch, enforce quotas, hijack supply, and procure “monitored” seafood—often at gunpoint—leaving independent operators to choose between extortion or obliteration.

The Voices We’ve Already Lost

  • Minerva Pérez, head of Baja California’s fisheries chamber and CEO of Atenea en el Mar, spoke out against illegal fishing and extortion—and paid with her life. She was ambushed and shot multiple times outside her Ensenada office in July 2024, just hours after warning the world of cartel infiltration in seafood markets.
  • Sunshine Antonio Rodríguez Peña, a leader in Mexicali’s fishing community, was executed in broad daylight last March—firefights rattled social media minutes after he was live-streaming his fish stand.
  • Servando Valenzuela Nakato, a respected shark-business entrepreneur in Ensenada, was gunned down in December 2024—his life cut short for daring to trade in lawful seafood markets.
  • Emilio Ohiiashi Manjarrez Masuda, a known seafood distributor, was also killed—another voice erased from the chain that feeds families and sustains livelihoods.
  • Rubén Marín Villalobos, founder of the seafood cart El Chava, was assassinated just last week while buying shrimp and octopus at the fish market Mares del Pacífico—a routine visit turned fatal at the very heart of the industry. He was remembered by customers and family as “sencillo, amable y cálido” (simple, kind, warm), yet no arrests have been announced even as the investigation continues.

Each of these tragedies traces back to the same root: a cartel chokehold stretching across sea, supply, and street.

A Voice That Broke Through

And then came Moisés Muñiz, young owner of Mariscos El Compa Moy. On August 23, 2025, his heart-wrenching video exploded nationwide:

“My people… starting today, Mariscos El Compa Moy is closing its doors permanently due to insecurity…, protection money.”

His dream—like so many others—was stolen not by market forces, but by violence and impunity.

Why It Matters—and Why You Should Care

This isn’t an isolated problem—it’s systemic:

  • Cartels control every point: from fishing boats to kitchen tables. Fishers earn as little as 60–75 percent of fair market value—or less—while the rest fills cartel pockets.
  • Illegal species trade is rampant: Highly endangered creatures like totoaba are trafficked for profit, amplifying environmental collapse and cartel dominance.
  • Government response is hollow: Condemnations without action—“cowardly” killings met with empty investigations—only embolden cartels.

Listen to Moisés Muñiz (August 23, 2025)

“My people, starting today, Mariscos El Compa Moy is closing its doors permanently due to insecurity in the municipality. … I have been working here for four years—this was my dream. But today, those dreams have been taken away, just like many of my colleagues in the industry.”

This isn’t just another restaurant shutting down—it’s a siren over dying hopes, a cry for rescue from a community being starved by terror.

These cartels aren’t just drug clans—they’re seafood oligarchs suffocating Ensenada’s lifeblood. And until government forces rise from clichés to concrete action, we’ll keep losing more than fish—we’ll be losing culture, survival, and courage.

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The Reel Deal: Séptimo 2.0 Is Here
 Articles

Ensenada’s Séptimo 2.0 Reveals Free Indie Film Lineup

The wait is over, popcorn lovers. Ensenada’s indie film showcase Séptimo 2.0 just dropped its official selection list, and it’s packed with fresh voices ready to hit the screen.

Back in July, we told you about this showcase and its call for local creators. “Lights, camera, community,” we wrote, and it turns out the community delivered. Dozens of submissions came in, and now the final roster is set.

A Spotlight for Baja’s Storytellers

Víctor Valdez—better known as “Broflyy” to fellow cinephiles and creative rebels—runs the show. As director of Séptimo 2.0, he insists the festival is more than just screenings. “Séptimo is a space built for emerging artists,” he explains, “a place to expose and highlight new cinematic voices in our region.”

The formula works. Films shot in garages, scripts refined in cafés, and stories too raw for algorithm-driven streaming giants now have their night under the lights. Moreover, the showcase proves that talent in Baja does not need Hollywood backing to shine.

And the best part? It’s free.

So, mark your calendars:

Mitos Mezcal, Blvd. Costero 263, Zona Centro, Ensenada (across from Plaza Marina).

September 6, 2025.

🎟️ Entrance: Free. Yes, zero pesos.

In addition to the screenings, the evening will feature mezcal tastings and live music. As a result, the event feels less like a stiff festival and more like a community celebration.

The Official Selection

Here’s who made the cut for Séptimo 2.0:

  • Coyote — Dir. Iván Montes
  • Odd Breakfast — Dir. Eduardo Armenta & Julio Zamarripa
  • Unmei (Destiny) — Dir. Carlos Camargo
  • Todo Como en el 2006 — Dir. Samy Martínez
  • Carnales — Dir. Maurizio Villa
  • Efímero — Dir. Angélica Toba
  • Lolo — Dir. Ana Gutiérrez Salgado
  • La Hija del Sol — Dir. Moisés Acuña & Jesús Hernández

And in the Cineminutos category:

  • Yo Te Encuentro — Dir. Alex Moreno-Novelo
  • Ventanillas — Dir. Alex Moreno-Novelo
Stories That Refuse to Stay Quiet
#Stories That Refuse to Stay Quiet
Four Films, Endless Voices
#Four Films, Endless Voices
Sixty Seconds, Big Impact
#Sixty Seconds, Big Impact

Each project seems to bring something unique. For example, some look like gritty urban tales, others resemble experimental shorts, and a few hint at intimate family stories. Meanwhile, a couple appear to deliver visual trips that might stretch the definition of cinema. So, if you’ve ever wanted a crash course in what Baja’s creative underground looks like, this lineup might just be it.

Why It Matters

For years, Baja was a backdrop for Hollywood productions pretending to be “somewhere else.” Local crews got the work, but the stories weren’t ours. Now, however, with directors like Álvarez, Fisher, and this new crop of talent, Baja is telling its own stories.

Therefore, Séptimo 2.0 matters. These filmmakers are not chasing Marvel budgets or Netflix algorithms. Instead, they’re creating stories that feel close, urgent, and real. Furthermore, initiatives backed by the Subsecretariat for Creative Industries under the Baja State Ministry of Economy and Innovation are helping these voices reach new audiences.

For viewers, that means a two-for-one deal: support emerging filmmakers and sip mezcal while doing it.

Final Reel

So, here’s your official invitation: on September 6, head to Mitos Mezcal. Celebrate directors who turned small resources into big ideas, watch films you won’t find anywhere else, and raise a glass to Baja’s next generation of storytellers.

After all, tomorrow’s “big names” might just be hiding in tonight’s free screening.

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Paellas2025
 Articles, Ensenada, Wine

35 Years of Paella, Wine, and Music Create Baja Energy

Ensenada sure knows how to throw a party. The annual Paella Contest at Viña de Liceaga once again proved it, celebrating its 35th anniversary with food, wine, music, and just the right amount of chaos.

A Crowd Ready for Fun

The vibe was unmistakable. Families, couples, groups of friends, and a few brave loners all strolled in ready to eat, drink, and gossip about whose paella had too much saffron. Meanwhile, others simply claimed the best shade spot and let the feast come to them.

Cooking paella over leña might look romantic in photos. However, the reality is sweaty, smoky, and sometimes downright dangerous. One chef swore the smoke gave his rice “extra flavor.” Maybe. Yet I’m pretty sure it just gave me watery eyes.

When Fire Meets Footwear

At one point, while interviewing a paellero, a rogue ember leapt from the fire and landed on my boot. I brushed it off like nothing happened. Later, when I got home, I realized the sole had melted into modern art. In the end, that’s how you know it was a memorable fiesta.

Sipping Through the Vineyards

Wine, of course, was the co-star of the day. Rows of vinícolas lined up, pouring glass after glass, each more tempting than the last. As a result, guests happily bounced between tastings, comparing notes—or just nodding politely when someone mentioned “balanced acidity.”

A personal highlight came with Cava Dragón, making its debut. It quickly became the wine you brag about tasting before it got famous. The winemakers seemed thrilled too. Because they shared rows with fellow producers, they swapped vineyard stories like old buddies.

A Lesson with a Toast

Over at the Liceaga booth, things got even better. We filmed a tasting session that included a flawless explanation in English. It wasn’t just informative—it felt like a master class with a refill in hand. Honestly, it could have been a Netflix special.

Meanwhile, music filled the air. With two stages, guests switched between upbeat jams and softer tunes. Consequently, the crowd never lost energy, even as they balanced paella plates while grooving to a guitar riff.

Winners Take the Spotlight

As always, the Liceaga family deserves a big gracias for opening their vineyard. Without them, hundreds of happy, slightly tipsy guests wouldn’t have such a playground.

And now, the moment everyone waited for—the winners of 2025:

🥘 Quality Category

🥇 1st Place: Flor y Compañía

🥈 2nd Place: Los Ponchos

🥉 3rd Place: Los Moreno

4th: Los Abarca

5th: Constructora Makro

🥘 Presentation Category

🥇 1st Place: Xatos Paella

🥈 2nd Place: Vivencias

🥉 3rd Place: Cheo Paellas

4th: Constructora Makro

5th: Los Rústicos

Thanks to every team who battled the flames, stirred endlessly, and nervously watched the judges chew in silence. Because of their efforts, we all ate like kings.

Until Next Year

For us at the Gazette, the cherry on top was running into so many readers. We loved the selfies, the laughs, and the chance to sneak bites from your plates.

By sunset, the verdict was clear. The Paella Contest isn’t just food and wine—it’s tradition. It’s that Baja magic where strangers become amigos, and everyone leaves with a full belly and a happy heart.

Some even leave with melted boots.

See you next year for round 36. Bring sunscreen, stretchy pants, and maybe steel-toe shoes.

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 Columns, Tecate, What Mexico Has Taught Me

I Crossed for Tacos and Found Heartbreak Instead

What Mexico Has Taught Me: Pure Horror!!!

I’m on a short leash.  I’m helping a friend who is in terrible shape as he navigates what is left of his life.  I’ve done this before, first with my mother and then my father.  So now I often can’t go to Ensenada for even two or three nights, let alone fly anywhere, but only enjoy five to six hours at the border in Tecate on a Saturday then rush home.  But, it feels like a miracle when I can do this —  to get away and cram as much Mexico as possible into my spirit.  I leave Los Angeles early and start each visit with the excellent shrimp tacos at Tacos Casimiro by 7:15 – 7:20 in the morning.  I am usually their first customer.  I show up on a bicycle.  Wearing shorts.  So… they know me.  Plus I don’t think there is any other place in that small town that serves food that early, let alone seafood.  I need Casimiro.  NEED.

So I parked my vehicle in the States the other day and rode my bicycle across the border.  Shrimp tacos, here I come.  I turned the corner in the quiet residential neighborhood where the place is at and they are CLOSED.  This kind of thing has happened to me many times in Mexico.  A beloved place GONE.  Shock.  Horror.  This place was important to me.  This is going to do damage.

Stunned, I start thinking.  Maybe an employee died and they’re at the funeral.  Maybe a water pipe burst.  Maybe there’s a wedding.  Sure, and maybe I’m the Village Idiot.  But, but, “closed” doesn’t HAVE to mean “gone”, right?  And the empty Coke bottles are still stacked in the parking lot.  Oh, God, not again.  I’m sure I must have sagged visibly.  And, of course, there was no one around for me to ask with my bad Spanish.

Two weeks later I am back and I am prepared.  Prepared to enter a period of grief or to maybe see my buddies again.  (By the way, Plan B Shrimp Tacos Place doesn’t open until 9:00)  I peddled my bike slowly because riding faster was going to deliver bad news sooner.  I crept my way down their street with dread …….. and saw their blue gate was OPEN.  I had to be sure.  I pedaled faster.  Their door was OPEN.  I gave out a shout.  I pulled in, jumped off the bike, pulled a piece of paper out of my wallet, and spoke the words I’d written on it, interrupting the eleven employees in their open kitchen area as they chopped, cleaned, stacked, fried, mixed, de-veined, stirred, and sliced — “Dos semanas pasada.  Julio vientiseis. Sabado.  Mi, aqui.  Casimiro cerrado.  Mi, sustado!”   I believe I said  “Two weeks ago.  July 26.  Saturday.  Me, here.  Casimiro closed.  Me, scared!”  I only got ONE WORD out of the whole crew.  “Vacacion”.

I went straight into my fake crying routine which always works and said “No persona muerto?  Casimiro no muerto?  Mi, asustado!”  More chuckles.  Then they gave me 3 fried serranos chiles instead of my usual 2 with those magnificent shrimp tacos.  But, like I said before, I’ve lost some wonderful places in Mexico.  The statistics in the States are that half of all restaurants close within five years.  And I was told recently by an employee in Ensenada that their place will probably be going out of business soon.  A place so special to me that I go to it almost every single day I am down there.  The life lesson?  I bet we all know it.

#Two tacos, one fried chile, and zero regrets. After two weeks of panic, Casimiro’s kitchen is alive—and my soul is full again.

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