México Book { 122 images } Created 15 Jan 2024
My first visit to Mexico was in 1956. My family was vacationing in San Diego for Christmas and my father thought it would be fun to explore Tijuana on New Year's Eve.
Looking back, I realize it's outrageous to think taking a 10-year-old to Tijuana for New Year's Eve was a thought that crossed anyone's mind. But this was the innocent 1950s.
I can still remember walking down the main drag in Tijuana and feeling like I was in the middle of a pinball machine--bouncing through sound and light.
The sidewalk barkers were yelling into their microphones pleading for you to visit the bars and clubs inside, the blaring of mariachi trumpets, cowboys on ornate saddles riding horses and shooting pistols, people selling tequila shots, tacos, balloons, and inexpensive silver trinkets.
Fireworks were exploding everywhere and it was pretty exotic and exciting for a young boy from Kansas City. It made quite an impression that I still vividly recall.
I had to wait 16 more years before my next visit to Mexico in 1972.
Sandie and I stayed at The Palmilla Hotel near San José del Cabo. At that time, the daily room rate was $75 a day. That hefty fee even included all our meals. Margaritas were extra at $4 per drink. Try finding that in Cabo today!
The hotel had no phones or television, just quiet solitude in a beautiful, natural setting.
If you ask most tourists what initially attracted them to Cabo, their response usually centers around consistent warm weather. Once you spend more time in Mexico you realize that great weather just begins to scratch the surface of what makes this place so magical.
It’s the genuine friendship of the Mexican people and their culture that makes the lasting impression. There’s so much more than just sun and water.
Thirty years ago we bought a home and now spend the better part of the winter in Cabo. We happily host family and friends throughout the season, eager to share this special place with them.
We've been fortunate to visit other beautiful areas in Mexico: San Miguel de Allende, Colima, Oaxaca, and all around the Baja Peninsula. I can attest that Mexico just gets better the more you see of it.
This book captures just a few scenes, colors, and people of this incredibly diverse and beautiful country. A place we now call home.
John Valentine
Looking back, I realize it's outrageous to think taking a 10-year-old to Tijuana for New Year's Eve was a thought that crossed anyone's mind. But this was the innocent 1950s.
I can still remember walking down the main drag in Tijuana and feeling like I was in the middle of a pinball machine--bouncing through sound and light.
The sidewalk barkers were yelling into their microphones pleading for you to visit the bars and clubs inside, the blaring of mariachi trumpets, cowboys on ornate saddles riding horses and shooting pistols, people selling tequila shots, tacos, balloons, and inexpensive silver trinkets.
Fireworks were exploding everywhere and it was pretty exotic and exciting for a young boy from Kansas City. It made quite an impression that I still vividly recall.
I had to wait 16 more years before my next visit to Mexico in 1972.
Sandie and I stayed at The Palmilla Hotel near San José del Cabo. At that time, the daily room rate was $75 a day. That hefty fee even included all our meals. Margaritas were extra at $4 per drink. Try finding that in Cabo today!
The hotel had no phones or television, just quiet solitude in a beautiful, natural setting.
If you ask most tourists what initially attracted them to Cabo, their response usually centers around consistent warm weather. Once you spend more time in Mexico you realize that great weather just begins to scratch the surface of what makes this place so magical.
It’s the genuine friendship of the Mexican people and their culture that makes the lasting impression. There’s so much more than just sun and water.
Thirty years ago we bought a home and now spend the better part of the winter in Cabo. We happily host family and friends throughout the season, eager to share this special place with them.
We've been fortunate to visit other beautiful areas in Mexico: San Miguel de Allende, Colima, Oaxaca, and all around the Baja Peninsula. I can attest that Mexico just gets better the more you see of it.
This book captures just a few scenes, colors, and people of this incredibly diverse and beautiful country. A place we now call home.
John Valentine
