The Mexico Jaycee National Convention in Tecate, Baja California Norte
Thursday, October 15, 2009
This was one of my more challenging trips. I was off my normal routine and had my bags in the garage ready to load into the car. I moved the car out to load the bags when the phone rang. After a phone conversation I jumped in the car and fought the rush hour traffic to the Oakland Airport. When I got close to the airport I decided to check the address of the parking lot so I stopped and opened my trunk to get the paperwork. SURPRISE!!!! I had neglected, in my rush, to load my suitcases! I rushed back home hoping I could cut the time for the round-trip and make my flight – No such luck as it was still rush hour time and the traffic was horrendous.
When I got home and realized that there was no way I could catch my flight I went online and lo there was a flight that left just one hour after the original flight. I called Oracio Galvan who was providing the ride from San Diego to Tecate, and he indicated that the delay would be no problem. I made sure my bags were in the car and, again, drove to the airport and made this flight with time to spare. When I arrived in San Diego and picked up my bags I found that Oracio was still negotiating delivery of his bags to Tecate since they had been incorrectly routed to Portland.
We had an uneventful drive to Tecate, checked into the Jaycees hotel and unpacked. Oracio and some of his friends were hosting a party at the Diana Bar downtown. We started off with a shot of Tequila (Imagine that!) then there was a keg of Tecate beer. Many of the Tecate Jaycees and Senators arrived throughout the afternoon to share some conversation. Many spoke English although with my limited Spanish and many of their limited use of English we got along very well and pretty well understood each other.
We then made our way to the Tecate Brewery and their Beer Garden for the Jaycees welcome party. More beer and some Tacos made from Pork and Beef BBQ’d on the premises in hand made Tortillas cooked on the spot as well. We lasted until around 11 PM when I had enough Beer and needed to crawl into bed. I slept pretty well considering that the bed was relatively hard.
Friday October 16, 2009
I arose at 6:30 AM and met Rosario at 8 to go over to the Senate hotel for Breakfast. After Breakfast (where they presented me with a Mexico Senate shirt) we all boarded a bus for the day’s excursion through the wine country. We stopped at L.A. Cetto Winery where we had a personal tour and wine tasting. There was Bread and Cheese for us between wine tastings. The wine was excellent, even the White varieties which is not my favorite. We then re-boarded the bus for the next step which was lunch in Ensenada. I sat with John (ASAC President) and Ximena Moreno and Carmen Mendoza as they both spoke English. The wine flowed before, during and after lunch. The lunch was excellent consisting of a fantastic onion soup followed by an excellent fish dish and dessert. I caught perhaps 30 percent of the conversation but Carmen and John filled in the blanks.
Carmen gave me a special bottle of wine which was made by her Daughter and signed by her as well as the winery owners.
After lunch we again boarded the bus for the trip back to Tecate with everyone in great spirits (literally). Of course on the trip back a bottle or two of Tequila magically appeared. They were dispatched in a very short time and a lively discussion followed to decide if we would make a stop for more Tequila. There were some clearer heads that made the decision that we had all consumed enough alcohol and we proceeded to drive to Tecate.
The bus arrived at the Senate hotel and Rosario then delivered me back to the Jaycee hotel. I changed into my suit and attended the short Jaycee meeting which took about ½ hour and included a few speeches and a short business session. The Jaycees then adjourned to a pool party while the Senate went to Cava Garcia and their wine tasting room for our private party with more wine and snacks. There was a string band with 9 Guitars and one Base entertaining us with very good music and song. There was much visiting within the group while the band played and the wine continued to flow. After an hour or so dinner was ready which consisted of PAELLA – Rice, Shrimp and Meat cooked outside in a huge metal “Platter” somewhat like a flattened Wok. More wine and music from the band until 10PM when they departed to a resounding applause.
The next entertainment was a couple with a synthesizer with both singing some songs. This brought everyone (including me) up on their feet and dancing for the rest of the evening. I had to learn – or at least attempt – dancing Mexican Style - sort of a Flamenco step. And me with bad knees. We all left around midnight for some well needed sleep.
Saturday October 17, 2009 MY BIRTHDAY
Up around 7AM and took a Taxi to the Senate Hotel for Breakfast followed by a tour of the Tecate Brewery. I did not know that they wanted us all to be in our "official" Senate shirts for photographs that afternoon so Carmen ran me back to my hotel so I could retrieve the shirt.
After the Brewery tour the Mexico Senate meeting was called to order. It was all in Spanish so I had to pay close attention to get some idea of what was being covered, although I understood only a fraction of the conversations. I did have the opportunity to address the membership and spoke about my Road to the Future theme and what it meant. I included a “commercial” about the Concord 2010 convention, gave out registration forms and encouraged the Mexico Senators to attend.
John Moreno spoke about ASAC and we both showed solidarity for better communication among the countries. I wore my Senate shirt to the meeting and after adjournment I changed into the Mexico Senate shirt and we all drove out to a picnic area for photographs - and there were many taken. Kevin Alson was there as JCI Vice President and made sure that everyone knew that it was my birthday. Every lovely Female Jaycee gave me a kiss on the cheek and wished me a Happy Birthday.
I then had photos taken with all the girls. Tough Job!!!!
Many formal photos were also taken both with the JCI Senators, the Jaycees and a combination of Senators and Jaycees. We then had a lunch of four kinds of Burritos, Peppers and lemonade (no wine here). Carmen and her Brother then dropped me off at my hotel for a short rest before getting ready for the Dinner and Gala later that evening.
I did not know that the Senate was going to surprise me with a Limo for the ride to the Gala, although it was about a half hour late and I hitched a ride with Dave Campbell. During dinner I was seated with some of the Mexico Past Presidents and the incoming president. Time was short so I had to make my gift presentations short. I gave pins to Rosario and Carmen for being my chauffeurs and interpreters, pins to the outgoing and incoming Jaycee presidents. Pin and cap to incoming Senate president Fernando and a pin, cap and flag set to outgoing president Raul Ibarra. Dinner was served about 10:15 and was very good for banquet chicken. Our waiter kept my wine glass full throughout the evenings activities. The group danced, talked and had a great time until 2 AM when the party started to break up. Of course there was another photo session with the birthday boy (namely me) and all the girls dressed in their finery – again a tough job.
Sunday October 18, 2009
Up around 8AM, showered, packed and met the California guys for Breakfast then off to San Diego for the flight home.
California Senators that were in attendance in Tecate.
Kevin Alson, Oracio Galvan, John Geyer, Doug Meyers, Xavier Ruelas and from Kentucky, Dan Coates
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We spent the late afternoon meeting those present and those that were arriving. Lots of hospitality, cocktails and snacks. All the elected officers were there and we went out to dinner as a group accompanied by a few other Senate friends, seafood of course. I assembled the officers for a short meeting to discuss possible discussions at the Joint Boards meeting at the World Congress in Tunisia. We also had a discussion on a variety of issues before returning to the hospitality room until time to retire - around midnight.
We saw many of the old "Grand Hotels" that were still in operation, the Bush compound, both old and new homes in the area, a Buddhist temple and some wonderful scenery while being entertained with the stories of our driver and tour guide. Returning to the hotel and hospitality before getting into our costumes for the Banquet.
The Banquet was a hoot as the vast majority of Senators were in costume, some very ingenious. I. of course, was Captain Picard while Denise was really Wanda the Witch. I was introduced by Maine president Denis Pratt then I spoke on the priority of the RTF program, our relationship with the US Jaycees and some of the goals of Jeff Lank, incoming president of the Jaycees.
I was presented with a coffee mug, homemade jelly and a nice framed nautical picture from Denis and a very decorative blanket from Sue. I presented Denis his pip, pin and flag set in appreciation of the Maine Senate's hospitality. The MC and featured speaker was Wayne Mitchell who did a great job in describing some of the activities of the Jaycees in the past and what could be possible with the Jaycees of the future. I had a very nice conversation with him after the meeting and was quite impressed. I began saying my goodbyes through the banquet room and dance then retired to pack and catch a few winks before heading to the Airport early next morning.
