I had it all wrong. U.S. Government warnings have repeatedly alerted us to watch our backs in Mexico. Yet La Paz (“The Peace”) experiences only a fraction of the robbery, rape, assault and murder found in most US cities, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In fact, it’s so safe that Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman made La Paz his hideout. The real question: what is Mexico doing letting us reckless Americans into their county? With ten universities, statistics also indicate that La Paz is the most educated and affluent city per capita in all of Mexico.

Once a sleepy fishing village nestled along the protected waters of Southeast Baja Sur, La Paz was put on the radar when immortalized by John Steinbeck in his novella, “The Pearl” in 1947. Sportspeople journeyed from around the globe for the deep sea bounty of marlin, Dorado, roosterfish and yellowtail. This component of tourism is still very much alive today, and so are snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and eco-tours. For lovers of sea life, it is the dream of all dreams.

My first day was spent snorkeling with sea lions and whales, just off Isla Espiritu Santo, followed by a catered picnic lunch of local seafood at Espiritu Santo Beach. After an afternoon of kayaking and more swimming, the Fun Baja boat tour cruised over to a native bird estuaries. The days after it was tours of historical attractions, which allowed a deep understanding of La Paz itself. The Los Pacenos were just as excited to see our pack of U.S and Canadian journalist as we were to see them. Like Mexico itself, the local citizens have graciousness and hospitality in their DNA.

Despite the fact that La Paz is the capital city of Baja California Sur with a population of 220,000 it still maintains the charm of ‘Old Mexico,’ with quaint shops, museums, galleries, markets and restaurants serving indigenous food. But if you want action, there’s a dazzling nightlife with cafes, clubs and bars. Plus if you desire to take it to a higher party level, Los Cabos on the southern-most tip of Baja Sur, is just a scenic two-hour drive away.

What to Eat

The Baja is the birthplace of the fish taco, served with the above mentioned fresh seafood caught that very day by local boats. The chocolate clam gets its name from the shell’s brown color, and is eaten alive with a twist of lime. If the clam doesn’t flinch after a lime twist, it’s best to move on to the next one on your plate. Another treat is the hotdogueros, a La Paz hot dog, wrapped in bacon and topped with grilled onions, jalapeno ketchup and peppers. This should be all washed down with a Baja-style cerveza – beer on ice with lime juice and a salt rimmed glass. The beer of choice? Baja California’s own Tecate, of course.

Where I Stayed

CostaBaja Resort & Spa redefines luxury. The centerpiece of the 550-acre CostaBaja development, it is the first 5-star resort in La Paz. The resort is just ten minutes from downtown, set on the Sea of Cortez overlooking a 250-slip double-basin marina and a white sand beach. What was I doing there? The 115-room hotel offers a selection of ocean, mountain, marina and golf course views.

Mexico’s only Gary Player-designed 18 hole golf course meanders from hilltops to sea level with stunning water views just steps from the resort. Built into the landscape, as opposed to the opposite, this very ‘green’ course only utilizes desalinated water. The resort is also home to Steinbeck´s restaurant, and the first spa in La Paz, which features locally-inspired treatments. A dip in one of the three luxurious pools is not a bad way to end a day of activities.

Retirees and Real Estate

By 2021 as many as two million foreign retirees have made Mexico their home, according to the Mexican Federal Tourism Ministry. CNN Money Magazine and the New York Times recently named La Paz one of the top ten places in the world to retire. Mainland Mexicans, Canadian and US tourist are visiting La Paz in droves, then buying second homes or becoming full-time residents. For American retirees, a Yankee pension goes a long way in Mexico. Come to think of it, maybe I should consider retiring there, too

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TBoy photographer, Deb Roskamp, shares pictures along the historic Nile River, taken while cruising with UniWorld River Cruises.

The Nile River: Lifeline of Egypt

The Nile River is not just a geographic feature in Egypt — it is the lifeblood of the nation. Stretching over 6,600 kilometers, the Nile is the longest river in Africa and has played a central role in Egypt’s history, culture, and development for thousands of years.

Originating from two main tributaries — the White Nile and the Blue Nile — the river flows northward through eastern Africa before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. In Egypt, the Nile provides vital water for drinking, farming, and transportation. Over 95% of Egypt’s population lives along its banks or in the Nile Delta, where the fertile soil has supported agriculture since ancient times.

Historically, the Nile allowed ancient Egyptian civilization to flourish. Its predictable flooding nourished crops and led to the development of advanced farming techniques. Cities, temples, and monuments — like those at Luxor and Aswan — were built near the river, and it remains a symbol of Egyptian identity.

Today, the Nile continues to be essential for Egypt’s economy and environment. However, it faces modern challenges such as pollution, population growth, and upstream dam construction, particularly the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has sparked regional concerns over water sharing.

Despite these challenges, the Nile remains a vital force in Egypt — a source of life, culture, and unity across millennia.

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People and art have long been a recurring theme in Deb Roskamp’s photographic studies. In The People & Art of Guadalajara, Ms. Roskamp explores the relationships between the Mexican people and the great plazas, cathedrals, architecture and sculptures of Guadalajara. Considered to be the most Mexican of Mexico’s cities, Guadalajara has long been a favorite domestic tourist destination for families throughout the nation. Ms. Roskamp captures the joy, excitement and spirit of Mexicans as they experience the city’s great art, and thus become part of the artistic landscape themselves.

The People of Guadalajara was photographed over a weeklong period while Ms. Roskamp was enrolled in Spanish language studies at IMAC.

Below are copyrighted photographs by Deborah Roskamp. You can look but you may not steal. Click on the photos for enlargements. For hi-res images, please write to: de*@**********oy.com

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