Tips for Enjoyable Baja Living

By Elizabeth Liebel

It seems I’m back after a long while. It took effort, thought, laughter and tears amid life’s so called complications. Everything began with my very own private universe, including relationships. Then recognizing still new fields of Mexican philosophy, culture, and politics and, most important, welcoming the very special group of new friends, both locals and Americans. These people gave me a full readiness to help with my confusions so I could make the right decisions at such a critical time in my life’s path.
Making a long story short, I finally decided to choose my new country to live in and care for – Mexico – with a few necessary trips to the other side of the border, to keep going with my artistic goals as pro-survival actions. But the most important was something else: I did found a powerful purpose for my life here in this wonderful country with so much to give and teach others. And finally, I am in a total balance and my mind has become very peaceful.
Living for 28 years in Poland, dealing with a dreadful communistic government, living every day with no other choice than being involved and fighting. Then, when my country became free and reached for social and political health, I withdrew.
I fought in the U.S. for the next 20 years, mostly for survival and I was
Doing pretty good. But after this long period of time, I became tired and bored. I know what real freedom is. We Polish people were always reaching for such freedom, underground or in open war.
USA , for me, was like a dream. I learned a lot; I achieved a great many successes, personal wins, and joy. But I kept searching for a real life, for a real me, who Is surrounded by truly devoted, deep, warm, and smart friendships. With these I experienced some delays. Here in Baja every day, I meet great people, wonderful hospitality, open hearts, willingness to share the best things from this country – without any asking for an exchange or help. But I see how much help is needed, just as I see how much can be given in exchange. I am fond of my American friends who are taking great, important actions to change the situation here.
All these groups – Friends of the Library, Ole Vic theatre, Red Cross, Flying Samaritans, and others – are incredibly involved with their jobs – I would say, mission. Now, toastmasters are coming to Rosarito. Mr. Xavier Castro, a governor from San Diego district, was so generous as to contact me after he read one of my articles. We had a very meaningful meeting in San Diego talking about his ideas, beliefs, and projects. Of course I wanted to help, but I understood it in my own way – so if teaching communication skills, speeches, and raising self-esteem might help anybody, let’s help the young generation of Mexicans, which can lead to help raise this economy.
Wow, I should stop by now because this column maybe shouldn’t touch on deeper subjects such as tips for enjoyable Baja living! Well, I believe that enjoying life anywhere is impossible without being involved. Otherwise, you withdraw; you are limiting your time only to the sphere of constant vacations. And then, believe me, you can become really bored.
Well, that’s what exactly happened to me. After a few months of writing poems, reading tons of books, and contemplating nature, I found other needs in my head and soul. I had to reach for people, and after a while I was able to see them well as far as their lives, dreams, failures, and hopes. I love them all. But I learned that I have to be careful with my urge to love and help.
They are all proud and noble. I learned to wait to be invited. This was the most beautiful lesson for me .I learned also how to show respect. It’s not the issue of how much money I will leave on the restaurant table for a tip, but how I do that. My irritation is important when vendors are really pushing to sell something to me. I stay calm and I think: first, I willl try to understand this woman’s life and, even if I don’t want to buy her necklace or a ring, I will acknowledge her art and say politely, “Thank you.” It’s not my intention to teach anybody. I am just sharing my thoughts and cognitions. Somehow, many people already thank me for this. So maybe I need to share my enthusiasm about Mexico, my respect for the people here, their beliefs, and their conduct of behavior – and simply, their culture. My very new friend, Carmen, owner of La Dolce Vida Café just behind CEMAC the culture center where we performed recently at an event for orphanages, She taught me a little different approach toward life.
Thank you, Carmen. She is a great singer, An artist; a smart woman and an amazingly giving person, very often busy from dusk ‘til dawn. For years, she has been working with kids and helping them in all possible ways. Her café is a very special place, attracting amazing people: musicians, artists; simple persons with great knowledge, experience, and willingness to help, I feel honored to be accepted there together with my husband, Carlos.
We have already a few Bohemian nights at Dolce Vida Café, when music and spoken words brought so much joy to the air. My favorite culture center, CEMAC, with a brilliant leading lady Clarisol and my new “brother,” artistic coordinator Ivan, remind me of my early time in Poland and of my mother’s way of living. She devoted more than 30 years of her life doing the same things in my birth city culture center. She taught me about hard work, persistence, compassion, devotion, art, and love.
Hey, I think she’s smiling to me now from Heaven because I’m ready to follow her path here in Baja. Now, since I started spending more time in Rosarito, I looked for a nice place to stay overnight and I found a very warm, artistic friendly hostel just one block from CEMAC.
On June 17, at CEMAC, we had our fundraising event for the two orphanages Casa Hogar Estrella from Rosarito and Casa Hogar Gabriel from Ensenada. My friends from San Diego Child Solution; Agata with her husband Frank, San Luce, another Polish lady, Magdalena, brought their hearts and tons of exclusive food and wine for this evening. Dancing kids from CEMAC received one big ovation from the audience. Amazingly charming and talented Tanya Mirus sang from the depths of her soul; her whole family, including her husband Alfredo, the owner of an Internet café, was present and very proud. All the girls from Casa Hogar Estrella sang. A dear friend of mine, Pastor José from Mission Set Free got very involved as usual and arranged to bring food and goodies to both orphanages in the future. We were very grateful to all the people able to make it for this evening. The traffic in the city really difficult;; we had big competition with many bands as entertainment to promote elections. I understood this important time for Rosarito. Obviously, the decision which was final will influence our lives here deeply. We foreigners should recognize it and support the right leader. I escaped from politics after having experiences from my past in Poland.
I still love my country; I still cherish America; and I am really enjoying Baja, Mexico. But is it possible to be fully happy, without seeing others around and trying to help those in need? Just as a little exchange for the ocean nearby, nature, cheap shopping, sunshine, and love from native people’s hearts, I have to share one more thing which really blew my mind.
A few weeks ago I was invited to be a part of a very special, exotic and powerful gathering. I don’t have an exact word from the American dictionary to describe this. With four Indians from Sinaloa Reservation and the leader, Angel, whose actions here are unbelievable.
I was welcomed to sit in a circle where they took me for the trip of my life. With holy fire in the middle, inviting the old spirits, we searched for our past with the Indian words and instruments, I was entering my past sadness, confusions, grief, hesitations, and joy – to the clarity of my present. A big ritual of life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. These friends truly healed my wandering soul. I knew then that my decision was right. Being here in my new country, Mexico, surrounded by my wonderful friends. Baja is a very special place. You can even totally forget about the time… So, let’s enjoy it, but without forgetting about the most important issues in life – seeing and helping others.
This is like helping your own self to reach a with wholeness life.Itwillalways pay off; it will always come back to you with some new gifts from the universe.
Let it be.

Aloha, Elizabeth.