About Us

The Pack Family Journal is a place where we gather text and images of our lives, adventures and travels. This is a very personal site, written openly and honestly. Enjoy.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

I Freakin' LOVE MEXICO

When I was in my 20's I was run over by a car and crushed. Broke most bones in my body, was even declared dead. Now 30 years later, I am in constant pain, everyday all day. I have never taken anything for pain. My incredible wife Rachel uses a small wooden device to rub out the knots, usually twice a day. I have been in pain so long, I am somewhat acclimated to it. I've also never taken pain meds, because I'm also scared of dying due to doctor incompetence, or getting yet another addiction.
In any case, the reason I freakin' LOVE MEXICO is because this last week the pain in my shoulder has become almost unbearable, and difficult to raise my arm. It was time to give in and see a doctor.
After breakfast, Rachel and I stopped by the doctors office. He gave me a quick exam of the usuals, then examined my shoulder. He prescribed me 2 different pain killers and 1 supplemental, non-painkiller that is used to support one of the others. Blah, blah, something to that effect. Then he escorted me to the pharmacy.
Less than 20 minutes total in time and only $150 pesos for the checkup ($8 US dollars), and the 3 medications were $235 pesos ($12.65 US dollars). I Freakin' Love Mexico! I still hate french fries for my breakfast potatoes, and I still hate when sausage is replaced by hotdogs. But other than that.

Friday, July 15, 2016

I'm Just Saying...The Tuba


Okay, maybe not go. Not completely anyways. I know there is a time and a place, and an application that works. We have dear friends Pancho and Sal of the RioSamaya Band and Sal makes her accordion speak beautiful melodies over Pancho's warm Spanish guitar tones. It works and it's beautiful. But sometimes, they do not go together well...in long durations. Rachel and I have lived in Baja for more than a decade now, and during that time we have been involved in music, seeked it out in many cases. We even attended the Mariachi Festival in Rosarito and became big fans, and even produced our own Latino Music Fest and love almost all of it. We even started understanding some of the differences and styles.

We have also learned in that time, that Mexicans know how to party. Oh yah, and they do it naturally; a couple of family members or friends get together, add some food and cervesa and the party is started. Grandparents to kids and everyone in between, and the parties can go until 6AM. I wish my family did that when I was a kid. I must say finally after all this time...there is one I really don't like. Makes me picture evil clowns and nerds and without pointing fingers or ears, it sounds like Barnum Bailey and contains tuba and accordion. I really don't know the exact style, because some styles I do like also contain these instruments. That's just me. My musical tastes have always been left of center anyways. So what do I know, I also dislike rap, edm, and any heavy metal band with a singer that sounds like they are expelling a hairball, or any song without a guitar solo. Although, those dudes on the accordions can shred. I'm just saying.

Friends

From John (Sixx) - After living 20% of my life in Baja, I have only had a handful of friends make their way south of the border. Most have been either scared by the media in the US or their bound by the societal grind of the US, in any case few have ventured. My lifelong and dear late friend David Cybulski and wife Karin, their family and friends, Glen Rhoades and his son Kyle, Shannon Smith and now friends from my troubled teens times Johnny Sarena and Tracy Griffin. Of course we'll be throwing a party!

Walk - Run!

Everyday Rachel and I go for a walk. Last week a bee keeper moved onto the hill just off the road of where we walk. Today we were attacked and a bunch of bees chased us a distance. I was stung 3 times, twice on the forehead and once on the calf, and Rachel was stung inside the nostal. Her nose is red and my forehead throbbing, but we actually increased our workout by running, so it wasn't all bad. 
At Campo 7 in Punta banda Baja - July, 15 2016

Monday, July 11, 2016

Flexitarian

For the most part, Rachel and I are vegetarians, 90% of the time. But on occasion, we become what some say is a flexitarian. Usually, when there is a sushi bar or some really good seafood, or possible at Thanksgiving, we might share turkey with the family, but other than that..vegheads all the way. 

However today we flexed big time and had some incredible, yellowtail tuna machaca made with carrots, green olives, onions, peppers and spices, and topped with cabbage, cilantro, tomatoes.