I composed this letter and the bride sent it out today to her friends and family and also to her friends on facebook!
I hope you don't think it is too strong but I mean it.... I love Baja.
See what you think....
Dear friends and family of Nicole and Danny,
As my husband and I are the hosts of Danny and Nicole's wedding this summer at our home in Rosarito, Mexico, I feel compelled to write a letter to share with you some important information which may or may not help you in making your decision whether to come across the border to celebrate this very special day with Danny and Nicole.
We are native Texans who chose to buy this gorgeous ocean front property 3 years ago this month. We have travelled the Caribbean extensively (sometimes as many as 3 times a year) for 30 years. For these past three years we have been flying to the San Diego airport from Texas and traveling 45 minutes along a modern new tollroad with beautiful ocean views to our front door. We have been lucky enough to stay an average of 10 days each month.
Here are some given facts:
First of all, I am not a risk taker.
I have flown from Houston to San Diego, picked up my car, and driven to Rosarito all by myself.
At Christmas we had our son, our daughter, both in their 20's and our precious 2 year old grandson, who played to his heart's content on our beach, join us for the holidays. If I felt even a twinge of being unsafe, I would never have allowed these most important people in my life to come down to join us.
I have never for one minute felt unsafe in my part of Mexico, Upper Baja. On the other hand, I would not ever go to Juarez, Mexico and being from Texas I have had many opportunities.
The media has done a number on Mexico, some accurate, and some, however, blatantly sensational journalism including reports of things that happened as long as 7 years ago and being reported as having happened just yesterday.
Without a doubt some horrific gang/drug related things have happened in Tijuana just as in they have in Los Angeles . This past weekend we heard that 3 men were lined up and killed, a contract hit in the San Diego area near La Jolla an upscale neighborhood in beautiful supposedly safe Southern California! Police have no clues. The most recent incident took place in Juarez, over 1200 miles away from our Rosarito Beach, actually closer in proximity to our native Texas.
It is true you will have to cross the border into Mexico.
Almost immediately within literally 10-15 seconds, you will bear to the right and follow a two lane road along the border of Mexico and the US. This leads to the ocean front tollroad.
It is true that bad things happen in Texas, East Los Angeles, New York City, New Orleans, Las Vegas and in Mexico.
Being married to a statistician for many years, my husband gave me some statistics for you to consider.....
In the year 2009, Mexico experienced approximately 3,000 drug related killings.
U.S. experienced approximately 17,000 drug related killings.
The per capita killings are still greater in the U.S. which is where we all live most of the time and yet we make conscious daily decisions about who we associate with and which part of our own home towns to venture out into at night.
As of this brand new year of 2010, the most dangerous states regarding violent crimes (murder, rapes and felony assaults) are in order:
1. Nevada
2. New Mexico
3. Tennessee
4. Louisiana
We do not frequent Tijuana's or Texas' bordellos or have dinner with the members of the drug cartels just as we are sure that you do not mix with these people in your home towns.
We do eat dinner with local artisans many of whom make their homes just south of us (listen to Alex's "Stairway to Heaven" and "Hotel California" http://www.myspace.com/alexdepue) and in alfresco restaurants with "to die for" ocean front settings.
Our favorite restaurant is located right in the middle of downtown Rosarito and is owned by a woman who moved down to Rosarito by herself 20 years ago. She will be catering the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. She serves incredible fresh Cuisine of the California's"..salads, sea bass, salmon. http://susannasinrosarito.com/intro-english.htm
The mayor of Rosarito, Hugo Torres and his wife own the Rosarito Beach Hotel where the bridal party and many of you may be staying. They have a new tower with incredible rooms. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLM7QSGp8h0&feature=channel The mayor took major steps two years ago to clean up the police force and change the image of Rosarito, creating tourist boards to input opinions. http://www.rosaritoinfo.com/index.html
Rosartio is a very small town with one main street with our very own Home Depot, Walmart and movies in English with Spanish subtitles.
There are not killings on every street corner as the California press would have you believe.
No one can guarantee your safety no matter where you are in the world, not even your own grandmother in her hometown. You must use your common sense and make good decisions.
Just as if you were visiting us in Texas for this wedding, we would give you the following advice:
Whether in Texas or in Rosarito, Do not plan on trying to buy drugs and hope to stay out of trouble, Do not be out at 5 am and hope to stay out of trouble, Do not dine with gang or drug lords, Do not frequent the houses of ill repute and expect to stay out of trouble.
Do come and relax, smile, feel the sun and wind on your face, and share in the tears of joy of this long awaited wedding of two very special people.
As I know you all know and love Nicole and Danny deeply, do consider joining us. As the Rolling Stone's song says, "You can't always get what you want but if you try sometimes, you might just find you get what you need". Not only did we find what we wanted in Rosarito, God has given us peace, beauty and warmth in Rosarito, exactly what we needed.
We are lucky indeed.
No one can make this decision except you. We hope you will join us in our bit of Paradise for the wedding.
God has blessed us.
A recent article:
ROSARITO BEACH is a town with quite a history. Much of the tourist business for Rosarito Beach started in 1926 when Manuel Barbachano opened the Rosarito Beach Hotel. Above the doors of the hotel is a sign with the words "Through these doors pass the most beautiful women in the world!". The same could be said for the city of Rosarito Beach itself, which has been hosting movie stars and the rich and famous for over 70 years now. Although the Hollywood stars don't frequent this seaside town as often as they used to, there were plenty of celebrities in town during the filming of 'Titanic'. Even without regular visits by movie stars, tourists galore still flock here for the beaches, bars, and beef tacos!
Much of the popularity of Rosarito must be credited to its location, only 18 miles south of the U.S. border. It's a great one day getaway for folks from Southern California, and a great weekend destination for anyone crossing the border headed south. For most of it's history Rosarito Beach was a part of the municipality of Tijuana. On December 1st, 1995 Rosarito Beach became it's own municipality and started a long term program to improve it's infrastructure for the future.
Those who visit Rosarito Beach for shopping are usually not disappointed! Ceramics, leather goods, baskets, clothing, jewelry, prescription drugs and a host of other items are readily available at the dozens of stores around town. An increasing number of visitors are utilizing the resources of Rosarito to have custom furniture made at very attractive prices at the very south end of town!
Rosarito Beach also offers plenty of excellent restaurants, from delicious taco stands to large restaurants featuring Mexican, Chinese...and everything in between!
On warm days the beaches are filled with many activities including surfing, body surfing, volleyball, horseback riding, all terrain vehicles, and that ever popular past time...sunbathing! An excellent 18 hole golf course is 10 minutes north at Real Del Mar, with the other golf resort at Bajamar about a half hour down the coast.
If you are looking for a fun escape, not far from the border, Rosarito Beach is an excellent destination!